GREEN MAN FESTIVAL, Wales’ largest music, science and cultural festival which celebrates its 22nd year this August, announces the first wave of acts to be playing its 2024 event, in the epic surroundings of the Black Mountains deep in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park from the 15th – 18th of August.
Headlining this year’s edition are acclaimed American indie folk band BIG THIEF, revered South London multi-hyphenate SAMPHA and electronic pioneer JON HOPKINS. Tickets for this year’s festival sold out in just two hours back in September following another brilliant weekend in the Welsh Mountains a few weeks prior.
The magic of Green Man lies not just in its scenery and music. Made up of 10 individual areas, the festival also offers a diverse range of events to accompany its incredible line-up, boasting art installations spread throughout the tranquil valley, a beer and cider tent to enjoy a crisp Welsh pint, a Shapes-themed area of discovery and exploration for the little folk, a relaxation and workshop space for the teenagers, plus science engagement area Einstein’s Garden. Further line ups of music, science, film, comedy & literature will be revealed in the coming months.
Returning together as a band for the first time since 2019 – and following bassist Buck Meek’s rousing set at the Walled Garden last year – Big Thief will be headlining this year’s Green Man. The band’s last release Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You came out in 2021 to widespread critical acclaim, as well as frontwoman Adrienne Lenker’s upcoming solo album being one of the most hotly anticipated of the year. They are sure to receive a rapturous welcome back to the Black Mountains this August.
From Morden to the Mountain Stage, Sampha is set to play Green Man for the very first time as his biggest UK festival headline slot to date. One of the most highly sought after names in music today, Sampha is widely known for his collaborative work with global superstars such as Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Drake, as well as fellow acclaimed contemporaries including Yaeji, Ibeyi and more. Festival goers can expect a mesmerising set including tracks from his 2023 album LAHAI and his Mercury Prize–winning debut album Process performed with a full band.
Acclaimed electronic producer and composer Jon Hopkins also returns to Green Man for what is sure to be an entrancing sonic and visual spectacle. The last time Jon played at the festival he had just released his seminal 2013 album Immunity; he recently marked the release with a remaster of the record and the celebrations will continue on the Mountain Stage this August.
Post-punk heroes SLEAFORD MODS are sure to cause a riot with their aggressive, no-nonsense sound on Thursday night as they headline the Far Out stage. Two Mercury Prize winners join this year’s line up: EZRA COLLECTIVE will get crowds moving with their genre-defying grooves, and ARLO PARKS will bring the sunshine with her joyously emotive diaristic songwriting.
The immensely influential THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN are making their Green Man debut to celebrate the release of their new album Glasgow Eyes this year, almost 40 years on from their debut, and art-rock favourites and one of the best live bands going BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD return after their incredible set on the Far Out Stage two years ago. Freak folk trailblazer DEVENDRA BANHART returns to the festival for the first time since 2007, and South African gqom pioneer MOONCHILD SANELLY, making a Green Man debut is sure to be an unmissable set.
Keeping the energy going into the early hours will be some of the finest names in dance music, including a number of pioneering female DJs such as high-speed raver SHERELLE, acclaimed Peruvian DJ and producer SOFIA KOURTESIS, rising electronic talent LORAINE JAMES and the boundary-pushing sounds of London-based multi-hyphenate NABIHAH IQBAL.
Also on the line-up are instrumental post-rock quartet EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY; American alternative stalwarts BLONDE REDHEAD; multi-award winning British songwriter and musician THIS IS THE KIT; fast rising indie rockstar BLONDESHELL; enigmatic experimental rockers BAR ITALIA; North Carolina shoegazers WEDNESDAY; NYC noise-rock band MODEL/ACTRIZ; Brighton punk duo LAMBRINI GIRLS and much more.
Green Man is a hub for showcasing some of the best emerging names in Welsh music, and this year sees the likes of The Tubs, Islet, Cerys Hafana, Das Koolies, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Georgia Ruth, Pys Melyn and Slate playing. Stay tuned for plenty of more exciting names to be announced over the coming months.
The magic of Green Man lies not just in its scenery and music. Made up of 10 individual areas, the festival also offers a diverse range of events to accompany its incredible line-up, boasting art installations spread throughout the tranquil valley, a beer and cider tent to enjoy a crisp Welsh pint, an Ancient Egypt-themed area of discovery and exploration for the little folk, a relaxation and workshop space for the teenagers, plus science engagement area Einstein’s Garden. Further line ups of music, science, film, comedy & literature will be revealed in the coming months.
More details on the Ten Areas of the site further down the page…….
Festival goers who have purchased a Settler’s Pass, a special ticket which includes discounts on local heritage sites, galleries, castles and more, will arrive on Monday 12th August for a week in the Welsh valleys as part of their Green Man 2024 experience.
Green Man also houses a pioneering science engagement area, Einstein’s Garden, which will again showcase discussions, stalls and experiments for kids and adults alike. As well as a health and wellness area, arts exhibitions, performing artists, comedy, literature, children’s areas, and, of course, Green Man’s very own Welsh beer and cider festival at The Courtyard where more than 150,000 pints will be served across the weekend and an amazing range of food stalls serving Welsh fresh ingredients.
The festival really is one of those special events, with a reputation for being non-corporate and incredibly ethical, it can rightly call itself one of the most successful festivals in South Wales. On top of that, it’s multi-award winning and has been given ‘major event’ status by the Welsh Government due to the festival’s positive impact and wealth creation.
What we really love about GM however, it’s just incredible fun for the whole family. You can take a look back at our final day film from last year – HERE.
The magic of Green Man lies not just in its scenery and music. Made up of 10 individual areas, the festival also offers a diverse range of events to accompany its incredible line-up, boasting art installations spread throughout the tranquil valley, a beer and cider tent to enjoy a crisp Welsh pint, a mini-beast themed area of discovery and exploration for the little folk and a relaxation and workshop space for the teenagers. Further line ups of music, science, film, comedy & literature will be revealed in the coming months.
There is so much live music, alternative, indie, folk, dance and so much more. But it’s everything around the music which makes this a truly inclusive event. There’s literature, film, comedy, theatre and poetry. In fact 1,500 multi-arts acts perform across 17 stages over 10 areas, each offering a unique festival experience. There’s even all-night bonfires and secret gigs.
The setting couldn’t be any better either. Nestled within the majestic Brecon Beacons, the Settlement is your opportunity to explore miles and miles of mountains, forests, waterfalls and rivers. You can camp for a whole week to really discover the incredible beauty of the Welsh surroundings.
Immersing yourself in the GREEN MAN community of Settlers couldn’t be easier – host barbecues with produce sold daily (from the local butcher), team up for the legendary Settlement Pub Quiz, cuddle up around the Settlement bonfire or enjoy live music, workshops, outdoor adventure and family fun.
Here’s Huw Stephens’ guide to all that is Green Man……
Whatever kind of festival-goer you happen to be, there’s bound to be an area that floats your boat, be it for the laughs, literature, art, science, mischief or music. So whether it’s revelling in the thumping tones of a new band, catching some illuminating literature or soaking up the sunshine with a pint of Welsh beer, you’re sure to unearth some serious magic.
If you’re looking for a quiet retreat you can actually find one in Nature Nurture. The Courtyard and Fortune Falls, with each area featuring a mixture of local beers and ciders, yoga and mindfulness workshops and hot tubs (one’s even on top of a double decker bus!), as well as the natural beauty of the Welsh countryside.
Green Man has grown to be one of the can’t-miss fixtures of the summer festival season. Now welcoming more visitors than ever, the line-up inevitably reflects all of our varied tastes. Whether you’re a fan of twinkly indie, traditional folk, pulsating garage rock or ear-melting electronica, there’s probably something on the bill for you. There’s also a comedy tent, pretty gardens, kids’ areas and wellbeing zones, so you can chill out before the burning of the Green Man himself on the last night.
The Settlement is the campsite for guests with Settlers Pass tickets, and features a stage curated by an act or organisation from within the Welsh music industry.
The family friendly festival has two areas specifically for younger guests, with the Little Folk area featuring activities and entertainment for young children, and Somewhere hosting a number of workshops in the creative arts aimed at a teenage and young adult audience.
Mountain’s Foot holds the main stage, while Far Out will feature a mix of high energy performances and the relaxing Cinedrome, perfect if you’re after a quiet escape. You can watch a number of different films on the big screen.
Smaller artists capturing Green Man’s ethos can be found in the Walled Garden, and a fusion of science, art and nature is located in Einstein’s Garden.
Being green is absolutely fundamental to the Green Man festival (it is one half of their name after all). So here are some of the ways in which you help keep Green Man green! GREEN TIPS
As we mentioned, tickets for this years festival are now sold out following a triumphant weekend in the Welsh Mountains last year. The festival runs from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th August. For more information, go here – GREEN MAN
