Review: Green Man Festival, Wales

In a crowded market for summer festivals, Green Man stands out thanks to its spectacular setting and laid-back atmosphere.

Nestled in the rolling green hills of the Brecon Beacons in south Wales, Green Man is arranged in a glen which provides a natural amphitheater for the main stage. At the 2016 edition, attendees were serenaded by acts as diverse as James Blake, Laura Marling and Fat White Family.

A photo posted by Green Man (@greenmanfest) on Sep 4, 2016 at 5:30am PDT

While the haunting beats of Blake and the indie stylings of Marling might not be the ideal headliners at more raucous festivals, they fit perfectly with the more ethereal atmosphere at Green Man. Not even the highly changeable weather conditions dampened the spirits of the mixed crowd, which included a large contingent of young families without ever feeling like a crèche.

Green Man doesn’t market itself as a rival to hard-partying events like Bestival or Secret Garden Party, but there are plenty of opportunities to cut loose. The Chai Wallahs tent stays open until 4 a.m., with a drum and bass-focused program, while the Far Out stage featured some stomping techno.

A photo posted by Green Man (@greenmanfest) on Aug 21, 2016 at 5:28pm PDT

With a varied musical offering and a relaxed atmosphere, Green Man is the perfect spot for those who want a festival experience without the risk of having their tent burned a la Reading Festival or their bodies ravaged by the excesses of a Glastonbury. The beautiful site is the perfect size and has enough little nooks and crannies to keep you entertained throughout your stay.

If you are interested in going next year you can find out more information on the Green Man website.

The festival site is a short drive from Abergavenny. Trains from London Paddington station take around 2.5 hours.