With its 20th edition kicking off in earnest, here’s a selection of cherished recollections of what made Buzz readers (and writers!) fall in love with the Green Man Festival, that wholesome annual knees-up in the Brecon Beacons…

“2021: my first solo festival and my first time at Green Man, and it instantly became my favourite. I found it so easy to get there from Cardiff. The site is small enough to get around easily, but with such a variety of things to do. It felt welcoming and safe the whole time, and the overall atmosphere of the festival is one you just have to experience for yourself.

“I filled my days with music, at times running from one stage to the next. My highlights included an eclectic mix of artists, both old and new, from Thundercat, Alabaster Deplume, and Speedboat, to Hak Baker, Los Bitchos and Caribou. In addition to seeing bucket list bands and discovering great new music, I also loved the food, the films, meeting new people, and dancing away in the Chai Wallahs tent. I booked my ticket for 2022 without hesitation and I have no doubt that GM’s 20th anniversary will be another unforgettable year.” ROSANNA LEWIS

​​“Green Man is my favourite time of year. There’s no better place to enjoy incredible music than being surrounded by the mountains in the Brecon Beacons. My personal highlights from precious years include Kelly Lee Owens, Gwenno and Four Tet. Last year’s festival was brought to a close spectacularly by Hannah Holland, where I spent the entire set jumping around at the front wearing a cowboy hat. Not only is the music brilliant, but the crowd is always super friendly and the food on offer is delicious.” CHRISTIAN WEBB

“[My] top Green Man moment was Patti Smith Thursday night in the Far Out tent. Magical!” ROBERTO CHAMBERS

“TVAM in the Record Store tent in 2019. It was raining outside and we couldn’t quite get in but it was worth getting wet for. They were amazing!” MICK ACE

“Last year’s festival when Wet Leg opened after a long lockdown of no live music and everyone knew the lyrics to Chaise Lounge and [vocalist] Rhian was so stunned she forgot to sing for a moment! The same thing happened to Self Esteem last year, too.” DANIEL CLAPPISON

“2017 when we [referencing husband Chris] arrived two hours after getting married. PJ Harvey was a top highlight of the weekend.” CHERYL CARMICHAEL

“I think both the crowd’s reactions to two relatively unknown and new acts at the time, and their reaction back to the crowd – Wet Leg’s Chaise Longue and Self Esteem’s I Do This All The Time – are probably two of my best ever festival moments, and that includes several Glastonbury Festivals amongst others.” JULIE BRECKON

“Recollection here. Second ever Green Man, in Hay-On-Wye. End set with King Creosote, Four Tet (and James Yorkston?) jamming together at the end of the night!” CHRIS STEVENSON

“We went a few years ago, and there was a cool old guy doing wood turning in the craft area. Our son, 16, made a mushroom on it, which became his favourite possession. We went back a couple of years later without our son, because he was actually working at another festival – and the bloke remembered him, and made us another mushroom to take for him.” CHRIS SMITH

“Charlotte Church, 2016 in the Walled Garden – amazing performance. I was right down the front and stood next to her mother who was screaming for her attention.” DAVID STANTON

“2012 I think, watching the brilliant King Creosote on main stage as a naked man covered in green paint parachuted into the site…” JO RICHARDS

Green Man, Glanusk Park, nr Crickhowell, Thurs 18-Sun 21 Aug.

Tickets: sold out. Info: here