GREEN MAN FESTIVAL 2015 | LIVE REVIEW
Glanusk Park, Crickhowell, Thurs 20-Sun 23 Sept
Come on a magical, mystical journey through the lush mountains of the Brecon Beacons. Follow your ears to musical nirvana and there you will find Green Man.
The festival was established 12 years ago and from then on has gained the reputation for being one of the best middle-sized festivals in the UK. It’s the perfect mixture of partying and a family-friendly atmosphere, where 18-year-old lads dance alongside parents with their children.
One of the best things to do at this festival is to wake up early, grab a shower and a coffee then venture out to explore the bizarre bricabrac stalls, workshops, talks and the amazing variety of food vendors, which are scattered through the festival grounds. Another great side event over the weekend is the movie screenings at the Cinedrome tent. The screening of The Holy Mountain, which was accompanied by a live score, was an absolute odyssey to behold and was the perfect mood-setter for a long night of music and DJ sets.
Now then for the main reason you go to a festival… the music! The biggest highlight over the weekend had to be the Saturday headline slot from true blue Welsh boys, Super Furry Animals. Playing what only can be described as a psychedelic jam session mixed in with their best-known hits and a splattering of recently re-released Welsh language LP Mwng, a spread of songs from their entire back catalogue got the crowd on their feet singing and swaying along, even in the rain.
Charles Bradley was unbelievable, strutting out on the stage as ‘The Eagle Of Soul’ with an explosion of sexuality and groove. The Fall were also was a must-see: Mark E Smith does not disappoint, endearing to the end even with his almost unitelligible vocals. Other highlights that should be mentioned were Temples, Jane Weaver, Television and The Staves, who were all incredible.
To end the festival, the annual burning of the Green Man engulfs a beastly shrine in crackling flames. The flickering of light on the drunken masses and kids who forced their parents to let them stay up was a weirdly beautiful moment. For me, Green Man overall is one of the best festivals in the UK and should be experienced for itself.
words JAYDON MARTIN photo DANIEL ALEXANDER HARRIS
