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Green Man Festival 2013
As Green Man continues to grow from strength to strength with an endlessly eclectic lineup alongside a healthy dose of family-flavoured entertainment , Jim Swidenbank weighs up the highlights of this year ’ s festival .
Ah , festival season , that time of year where we excitedly head back to nature for a summer weekend to over-indulge in music and the arts whilst all the while making sure we have our wellies and waterproof jackets relatively close to hand ; you know , “ just in case ”. So in the seemingly never-ending plethora of festivals springing up over the length and breadth of the UK , one question remains , why Green Man ? More specifically , just what can we expect to find there in 2013 ? Obviously there ’ s the music and this year ’ s line-up offers the sort of class and quality we ’ ve come to expect from what is arguably now Wales ’ premier music and arts festival . The acts laying claim to the much-coveted headliner tag this year need little introduction . Kicking off on Thursday night with American folk-punk star Patti Smith , an act described by organiser Fiona Stewart as simply a “ legend ” and – along with John Cale , Roy Harper and Edwyn Collins – one of a quartet of musicians who , Stewart admits , they ’ ve “ been asking to play for years ”. In true Green Man fashion they ’ ve managed to pull together a bill that accommodates both legendary characters such as the aforementioned and also many contemporary , award-winning acts from all corners of the globe . Heading up the subsequent evenings are critically acclaimed American folkrock heroes Band Of Horses , Norway ’ s Kings Of Convenience and current British musical icon – and therefore surely no stranger to fans of the UK music scene – Mr Ben Howard . As always though it ’ s the mass of lesser-known and up-and-coming acts that really make the music at Green Man so appealing ; there are obvious choices with the likes of The Horrors or Local Natives that will inevitably draw considerable interest , but delving a little deeper into the program will reveal a whole host of bands guaranteed to coerce the average music fan ’ s love juices into flowing . Stornaway will surely serve up an appropriately corking set on the main stage in support of their superb second album Tales From Terra Firma whilst further investigation of the smaller stages reveals appearances by alternative gems Fuck Buttons , Moon Duo , Gulp , Trwbador , Public Service Broadcasting and Melody ’ s Echo Chamber to spurt out just a few names . When you add into the mix firm festival favourites British Sea Power , it ’ s fair to say that this is arguably one of the strongest multigenerational arching bills on this summer ’ s circuit . As enticing as the musical aspect of this little soiree is , however , this truly is only a small part of what makes Green Man such a unique and gratifying festival experience . For starters there ’ s a brandspanking new area simply called Babbling Tongues which incorporates the various aspects of spoken word entertainment which has become a staple of the event in recent years . There ’ s even the intriguing addition of a brand new whisky bar into the area called Speak Easy . It ’ s an area which organiser Stewart is particularly excited about . “ It ’ s all located in a lovely glade of ancient oaks tucked away from the rest of the festival ,” she explains . “ Starting at 10am right through to 4am and with Robert Wyatt , Julian Cope and Josh Widdicombe as just some of the great names appearing , it ’ s definitely worth checking out .” Literature and the arts have always been part of the fabric of Green Man and 2013 sees the return of the ever-popular cinema tent which showcases an enthralling selection of both classic and original films ; from music-focused documentaries through to cult classics like Withnail & I . Also making a welcome return for 2013 is the fun and fact-filled Einstein ’ s Garden , an area focused on science in nature where the events billed are concerned with topics from insect super-powers through to the very fabric of space and time itself . It may sound like heavy going , but in the Green Man universe it somehow all seems to quite comfortably nestle into the magic of the festival ’ s fairytale vibe . Fundamentally , Green Man is about families – an inevitable focal point perhaps when the organisers themselves hold such fond memories of growing up in such an environment . “ I have always worked in festivals and brought my family up in that environment ,” confesses Stewart . “ It ’ s a brilliant way to spend time with your kids as a festival can offer fun times for both children and adults . These shared experiences make up some great special family moments and create wonderful memories .” So what does that mean for the countless hyperactive rug-rats bouncing around the festival site this year ? “ This year I have created a special area just for under 13s called Little Folk packed with workshops , fun , games and silliness ,” she proffers . “ We try and protect our little friends from the big sell so you won ’ t find popular games companies latest toys , clothing or other merchandise . Little Folk is packed full of fun and surprises which will give your little folks imaginations and giggle muscles a great workout , and create incredible happy memories . It ’ s all about the Enchanted Forest this year so let your fairies and sprites run free and play to their hearts content among the giant toadstools and mythical woodland creatures .” Sounds like a divine way to spend a family holiday , surely ? And that ’ s not all , another brand new area , simply entitled Somewhere , is a multimedia adventure zone aimed at seven-to-13-yearolds and open until 10pm each evening where youngsters can indulge in activities from fashion design to film-making . On top of all of this will be the usual smattering of unique stalls , the burning of the festival ’ s eponymous sculpture , and even the addition of a massive beer festival in the middle of the site featuring none other than 99 different real ales , ciders and perries . Effectively more entertainment than you can shake the proverbial stick at , with the only aspect of a potentially cracking weekend still in contention being the utterly delectable British weather ; although even the most sizable of downpours couldn ’ t dampen the spirits when there ’ s this much on offer , surely ?
Green Man Festival , Glanusk Park , Powys , Thurs 15-Sun 18 Aug . Tickets : £ 75- £ 145 . Info : www . greenman . net
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