With a 2015 line up consisting of Hot Chip, St Vincent and Welsh favourites Super Furry Animals, it was always going to be a tough one to trump. But Green Man Festival’s 2016 offering promises an equally as delightful melange of alternative artists and home-grown indie legends. Now in its 13th year, the festival continues to attract big-name artists, and this year sees Scottish pop-folk legends Belle & Sebastian grace the beautiful Brecon Beacons this August – an appearance that will “celebrate 20 years since their timeless debut Tigermilk”. Wild Beasts, as well as golden boy of the bedroom-producing generation, James Blake, will join the Glaswegian seven-piece in headlining – and there is still one more headliner to be announced.
Further down the line-up, an array of musical treats nestle, including White Denim, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Jason Isbell, Michael Rother, Floating Points, Ezra Furman and Fat White Family. LA indie-rockers Warpaint are set to dazzle the Mountain Stage with their brightly daubed dream pop, whilst disruptive trio Battles will bring their customary spell-binding performances, including some pretty impressive drumming, to shake things up in the serene Brecon Beacons setting. Venerable Grandaddy will no doubt affirm their mastery of wonderfully weird indie rock – but if you’re looking for something more on the quieter side of life, the dreamlike song writing of Julia Holter and the ‘guitar fuzz-filtered delicacy’ of Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon will do just the job.
Those familiar with Green Man would know that whilst they are of course unmissable, it’s not all about the bigger acts, so be sure to explore the 15+ stages spanning every genre you can think of. According to the organisers, “we get our biggest kicks from welcoming spellbinding musicians who you will be really please we introduced you to. They stun us, break our hearts and send us bonkers.”
In its 13 years, Green Man has evolved from small beginnings into a four-day event, hosting nigh on 20,000 people in the Brecon Beacons. Last year saw 1,500 artists covering music, literature, film, comedy, theatre and poetry perform across 17 stages, resulting in the festival being awarded best festival at the 2015 Live Music Business awards.
ELLIE MCKEON
Green Man Festival, Thu 18 Aug-Sun 21 Aug. Tickets: £60-£175
