FYI went along to the annual Green Man Festival at the Glanusk Estate. A weekend of big hitters and the usual fun and frolics of all things festival. With Future Islands headlining on Friday night on the Mountain Stage, Kate Tempest on the Far out and fantastic number of things to do from wellness to craft to just down right fun! With up and coming talent on the Rising stage ensuring new acts get an outing, the first day went off with great gusto.
Celebrating 15 years of the festival, the Green Man is known for its family friendly atmosphere is always a large pull both to music fans and festival families alike. The ‘Lands of Legends’ themed area for the Little Folk is always a huge attraction culminating in a parade on Sunday of all things creative.
Saturday saw headliner Ryan Adams play to a packed Mountain Stage crowd, with Liars and The Oh Sees playing the big billing on the Far Out Stage. Regular festival feature Charlotte Church joined in the Talking Shop on Saturday as well as many great commentators over the weekend.
Sunday started bright and sunny with a great set by Holly Macve on the Mountain Stage and the fabulous Fruit Bats with a great Indie/Folk Rock sound coming out of Illinois, Chicago. One of FYI’s fav slots!
Indie rocker Eric D. Johnson of the Fruit Bats
Pictured below Holly Macve on the Mountain Stage
With so much to see and do at the Green Man we also caught up with some of our local talent and business friends in the ‘Community Café’ taking a sneak pic of Rob Stevens volunteering on behalf of Talgarth Rugby Club along with Peter and Gaynor Weavers who we had a chat with.
Pictured Rob Stephens, volunteering at the Community Cafe for Talgarth Rugby Club
Local firm ‘Ty-Mawr Lime’ was part of the Einstein’s Garden activities, catching up with owner Joyce and the team, they were busy making plaques with children. Pictured here is Kai with one of the ‘Green Man’ plinths.
Ty-Mawr Lime doing their bit in Einstein's Garden
Talgarth Town and County Councilor William Powell was braving the elements with wife Ria.
Pictured below William and Ria Powell.
Ria and FYI Talgarth enjoying a brief interlude from the rain!
We later papped him with Andrew Morgan of the Welsh Venison Centre.
During the Sunday afternoon talking shop sessions we listened to a fantastic talk by rocker and writer Billy Bragg. We caught up with him at the book signing at Crickhowell’s ‘Book-ish’ stand with owner Emma Corfield-Walters. We couldn’t resist buying a copy either! ‘Roots Radicals and Rockers – How Skiffle changed the world’ is out now – pop down to ‘Book-ish’ for a copy!
Billy Bragg with Emma Corfield-Walters of 'Book-ish', Crickhowell
The Mountain Stage, however, was set alight by PJ Harvey despite the pouring rain which came on late afternoon, the singer wowed the ground with a dazzling performance. Whilst many enjoyed PJ, FYI headed over to the Far Out stage to catch the legendary Julian Cope.
Originally born in South Glamorgan, Wales he attended college in Liverpool and became kindred spirits with the likes of Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen fame. Forming Teardrop Explodes they were instrumental in the electro-pop era post late 70’s. By 1983 the band had ceased operations. Cope’s notorious background has continued to entrance fans. His solo performance at the Green Man was a great opportunity to see one of our fav lead singers back in action. The day ended with the company of William Powell to watch a fantastic set by St Etienne, having earlier had an impromptu chat with lead singer Sarah Cracknell by the Green Man radio booth, along with band members Pete Wiggs and Bob Stanley. All this whilst enjoying a hot drink and crumpet from the aptly named ‘Strumpets with Crumpets’!
St Etienne on the Green Man Radio pictured below that lead singer Sarah Cracknell
As festivals come and go, the Green Man never fails to deliver on all fronts, atmosphere, talent and settings. With the burning of this year’s effigy, there was nothing but smiling faces…
If you haven’t yet given the festival a go, do so… early bird tickets go on sale at 10am on the 27th September 2017. The bands are already signing up and what better way to end a summer than at your local festival…
http://greenman.net
Photos courtesy of Ann Dierikx Photography ©2017
For more images please see www.anndierikx.com
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