Green Man - see you next year!
| 20:53 UK time, Monday, 21 August 2006
the Green Man festival over the weekend was a lot of fun. I got back last night, thanks to a lift in Bethan Elfyn's green campervan. I'd bought a huge wooden mushroom for the garden before leaving too, which is currently sitting in the lounge...
The festivals been going for 4 years, and this was my 3rd year there. It's certainly grown, and the new stunning location suits the vibe perfectly. It was like a medieaval village, with the stages perfectly placed. A wonder here to you to the walled garden, down there was the Folkey Dokey stage, there were beards everywhere, the food was lush and the beer was strong (or was that just me?!) Green Man hasn't lost any of its appeal, quite the opposite - it's grown, but when you're on to a good thing, you want as many people as possible to know about it!
So I enjoyed sets from Bat for Lashes, whose Fur and Gold album comes out soon and is stunning. Hadn't seen her play before - it was ace. Gruff Rhys played one of the best gigs I've seen him do with a few covers of Tebot Piws and Meic Stevens and a new song too. He was joined onstage by Lisa Jen who sings in 9Bach, who I managed to miss on the Sunday. Andrew Hockey played a lovely set in the open air Cafe stage where the bar was strategically placed for when the rain decided to tumble down - you might have heard him on last weeks show - he'll be on again on Tuesday too.
My friend Ow introduced Juana Molina onstage, and the Argentinian songstress was on top form, looping it up and making a perfect sunny Sunday afternoon soundtrack.
It was a festival of Gareth's - Misty's Big Adventure were brilliant - hadn't seen them before either, but Grandmaster Gareth was on top form, finishing off on that 'lots and lots of money' song they do. Gareth Bonello the Gentle Good was lovely, and Gareth Pearson is an incredibly talented 17 year old who'll blow your mind.
Cardiffian Chris Fowler was showing films in the Filma nd Literature tent on the Friday night, and I thoruoughly enjoyed those - early Donovan, gospel choirs wielding guitars and random UFO sightings - it was a total joy and a total change to watch...
On Sunday morning I saw Gruff Rhys play in a cave a few miles from the festival site. there was water dripping, it as dark and cold, and his voice sounded amazing as it echoed round the cave. Welsh songstress Gwyneth Glyn played too, and local ramblers didn't quite know what was going on. At least I think that all happened. I might well have dreamt it..
Big up Euros Childs, King Creosote, Silver Jews, M Ward, Phil Roebuck, Voice of the Seven Woods, brave Captain, and so many more too. All together, playing for the love of it, to audiences who were loving it.
Thank the lord for the Green man festival!!!
(ps - there'll be highlighs on my show on Tuesday night, Rob's show on Thursday, and the Radio 1 Wales with beth on Thursday too - relive those memories!!!)
Yes Huw, Green Man was beautiful. A little comment - and that's to say the old boys of the festival (John Renbourne, Bert Jansch, Wizz Jones) were brilliant, probably the best things there. Gruff, Euros and Richard James also played great sets with Cerys signing some truly lovely songs. Mmmmmm
Greenman is/was one of the best festivals I've been to for years. The general ambience of the site was a wonder to behold. The apocalyptic set by Sunburned Hand Of The Man on Sunday night was mesmorising, and a real joy to behold. Other highlights included Hawk & A Hacksaw on the open air cafe stage, inviting a couple of little children up on the stage to join them. Viking Moses and his ode to Super Mario Bros, backed by James Yorkston, Marrisa Nadler and Adrian Crowley. The aforementioned Marrisa Nadler shy stage presence was all but burnt away by a spine tingling set of gothic noir folk. Finally (before I just give the entire thing a big thumbs up) a grinning Kenny Anderson (King Creosote) bringing out the sun on Saturday evening during "678" and the stage diving Aliens.