When: 15 – 18 August 2024
Where: Glanusk estate, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Wales
Four glorious days and four glorious nights spent in the most sumptuous of surroundings. Some fifteen hundred artists performing across ten stages, covering arts, music, literature, film, comedy, science, theatre, and wellness. And it all taking place in an inclusive environment that oozes the most warm and welcoming of atmospheres. Is it any wonder that all the 25,000 tickets for this year’s Green Man festival sold out in less than two hours last September before even one single act had been announced?
When the music line-up was eventually revealed back in March eyes were immediately drawn to the headliners Big Thief, Sampha, Jon Hopkins, and Sleaford Mods, names that reflected the incredibly diverse range of music that Green Man continues to offer year after year.
Further evidence of such variety and Green Man’s consistent capacity to step outside of the often-homogenous trends of other festival line-ups was also to be found in an exceptionally strong undercard. From Blonde Redhead to Black Country, New Road, from The Jesus and Mary Chain to Jess Williamson, from Omar Souleyman to O., from Johnny Flynn to Julia Holter and from Tinariwen to The Mary Wallopers, there was something for everyone.
When you add to this cracking musical bill moments such as comedian Stewart Lee introducing King Rocker and Jason Solomon interviewing the actress Samantha Morton (both part of a fantastic programme of films and talks in Cinedrome); the perennial delights of Einstein’s Garden; the art installations in Fortune Falls; the surreal hairdressing of Sienta La Cabeza; the breathtaking acrobatics to be found at the Back of Beyond Stage, and the inspirational Sunday walkabout of the giant manually-operated puppet Little Amal, it all made for a most magical and life-affirming experience.
Some light drizzle on Thursday aside the sun Gods shone on Green Man for the entire weekend, contributing to what was an absolutely brilliant festival. And God Is In The TV had the immense pleasure and privilege to be there to capture just some of these thrilling moments on camera.
Photos: Simon Godley
More photos from the 22nd edition of the Green Man Festival can be found here:
