Fri 19-Sun 21 Aug Glanusk Park, Brecon Beacons words STEPHEN NOTTINGHAM photos PETER EVANS The sun shone for much of Green Man 2011, which was a welcome change to last year’s deluge. The signature sound was alt-folk with an American accent, and the predominant mood was laidback. Dublin-born singer songwriter James Vincent McMorrow made a great impression on the opening day, with his incredible voice and beautifully-crafted songs. Villagers delighted with muscular interpretations of songs from their debut album. They were followed by a festival-stealing turn from Bellowhead, who had the main arena doing freestyle country dancing (and the odd conga). In contrast, Friday headliners Explosions in the Sky were an intense experience for the faithful, but they failed to reach out to the wider audience – for whom they were more whimper than bang. The real partying over the weekend was again at Chai Wallahs, with its eclectic mix of upbeat music. Here, reggae, world music and jazz joyfully collided with hip-hop and techno. However, the larger tent this year served to dilute the venue’s unique atmosphere. Dance beats in abundance were to be had in the Far Out After Dark sessions, where Squarepusher was among the top attractions. Saturday saw inspired sets from, among others, The Leisure Society, who on their second visit looked like a band going places, and The Burns Unit, a sort of alt-supergroup, with unpredictability supplied by King Creosote. The Avett Brothers from North Carolina made a big impression and demonstrated how timeless bluegrass can be, while third-time visitors Noah & The Whale provided the festival’s best pure-pop moments. Headliners Fleet Foxes were perfectly matched to their surroundings: emotional music and enchanting harmonies against a moon-lit mountain backdrop. Last year’s audience named Fleet Foxes as the band they most wanted to see in 2011, and the Seattle six-piece certainly lived up to expectations. Welsh music is a feature of the Green Man. Cardiff’s The Gentle Good, for example, has now playing six years in a row; this year’s excellent set was performed with a 9-piece band that included the Mavron string quartet. Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog and Siôn Russell Jones both made impressive festival debuts, while Meilir Tomos entranced the audience from the solar-powered stage in the garden. Green Man favourite Laura Marling showcased impressive new material from her forthcoming album on Sunday, followed by some gorgeous folksy Americana from The Low Anthem and Iron & Wine. Gruff Rhys proved a raucous alternative on the Far Out Stage as the festival headed to its climax. There is an intriguing Pagan theme running through the Green Man Festival (named after the archetypal foliate head that symbolized rebirth in pre-Christian Britain). There was enthusiastic audience participation at the Druid’s blessing ceremony for good weather, which opened the festival, for instance, while a sing-a-long to cult classic {The Wicker Man} epitomized events in the Cinema Tent. This was all cleverly balanced by activities in Einstein’s Garden, where science is presented in a fun and accessible manner with the help of scientists from Cardiff University and Imperial College London. With the headline acts over the weekend preferring subdued stage lighting, it was left to Pirate Technics to light up the sky, with the annual fireworks and ritual burning of the lovingly-constructed wicker man (minus a sacrificial victim). With reliably good music, beautiful surroundings and a very friendly atmosphere, Green Man has gained a dedicated core audience who return annually. While some festivals in 2011 saw reduced numbers, the Green Man was again sold-out. Last year, Green Man was voted the Best Medium Sized Festival in the UK. This year’s satisfied crowd will surely see the event retain its title.