Kristian Birch-Hurst looks forward to heading to the Valleys.

Date published: 8th Aug 2018

Image: Green Man Festival (source)

Green Man - the festival that keeps on giving while never getting too big for its boots - is back, and with one of the biggest line-ups to date.

No strangers to the sprawling Welsh hills, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard return, only this time they front their very first festival headlining slot; a unique blend of high-energy, tongue-in-cheek chants and epic psychedelic rock.

Joining them at the top of the bill on the Mountain’s Foot stage, The War on Drugs are prepped to bring cool, melancholic Americana while Fleet Foxes will transport listeners to enchanted worlds through eerie soundscapes and folklore-inspired acoustic grooves.   

If the main arena’s immense natural backdrop of the ancient Black Mountain’s wasn’t enough, the rest of the festival site is just as twee and poetic.

The Walled Garden, as its namesake suggests, sits within the confines of an ageing stone perimeter, touched by history and brought to life through the magic of music. Catch wistful live acts during the day with a pint of infamous Growler (or juice for the kids). During the evening, DJs will amp up the party with upbeat, genre-mashing sets. 

Teleman, High Contrast, Goat Girl and The Lovely Eggs will also perform amongst a whole host of diverse, colourful acts and genres.

Walk amongst neon trees, splay out on the grass to your favourite artists, embrace inner kindness at the Nature Nurture glade, crack out the glow sticks for all night raving, take your brain for a spin in Einsteins Garden or indulge your art/culture in the shamanic Fortune Falls. 

In short, Green Man is an idyllic festival all-rounder that’s never fallen short of the mark - and 2018 is absolutely imbued with the potential to shine out as one of the best years yet. Brecon Beacons… here we come.