Having previously won both the Grass Roots Festival and the Best Medium Sized Festival accolades at the UK Festival Awards, Green Man returns to the Brecon Beacons this August with yet another hugely promising line-up.
Situated in the Black Mountains in south-east Wales, its organisers claim that Green Man offers ‘the most beautiful festival site in the UK’. With a focus on the warm, relaxed atmosphere, and a tendency towards Americana, indie and folk music (though the real range is far more eclectic), Green Man appears an idyllic retreat in contrast to the frenzied excess of many festivals. However, as the only UK festival to hold a 24-hour license, it is clear that Green Man isn’t simply courting the same inoffensive, middle-of-the-road market as many mid-sized events, instead seeking to create a unique and involving weekend-long ambience.
The main stage will be headlined by the American indie-folk band Beirut on the Friday, and by the legendary and newly-reformed Neutral Milk Hotel on Sunday, with the main act for Saturday still to be announced.
Highlights of the line-up include the excellent folk duo First Aid Kit, touring in support of their forthcoming, eagerly-awaited third album Stay Gold; Kurt Vile, fresh from his hazy, dreamlike Wakin on a Pretty Daze; haunting singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten; and the brooding indie synth-pop band Poliça.
Other acts include Real Estate, Caribou, Daughter, Toy, Anna Calvi, Bill Callahan, Speedy Ortiz, and guitar-virtuoso William Tyler, with many more still to be revealed. Green Man also shows a strong commitment to areas outside of music, showcasing literature, comedy, film, theatre and art.
Areas range from the Mountain’s Foot – with the festival’s intimate main stage framed by a pastoral Black Mountains landscape – to Far Out, which features all-night entertainment, DJs and dance acts, and a grand dusk ‘till dawn bonfire.
Green Man 2014 will take place from the 14th to the 17th of August. Ticket prices are far more affordable than for the major festivals, with adult tickets at £159 and student tickets at £135 (each plus a booking fee). These are available now from the festival website.
