Green Man is ideal for music fans daunted by the sheer scale of Glastonbury. Combining nourishing family fun with a dynamic nightlife, it remains one of the most inclusive festivals around. There’s no hierarchy between artist and audience, so bands inevitably end up in the crowds themselves, cheering on their own favourite acts. After 20 years, organisers also know how to make use of the compact location, at the Glanusk Estate nestled among the Black Mountains in south Wales. Strong offerings of music, comedy and arts across at least eight different stages can be found within minutes of each other. Conveniently close camping sites also allow festivalgoers to dart back to their tents between sets, meaning the mood-swinging Welsh weather is no bother.
There’s a palpable sense of calm here. Walkways bordered by fiery orange montbretia and lilac verbena lead the way to green ponds, where gurgling babies paddle with their parents at the water’s edge. Seasoned hippies nod their glitter-coated heads to festival first-timers. Grandmas and grandads snooze under their hats in the sun, against a backdrop of sun-capped hills, with an array of bloody mary bars and stalls hawking veggie sausage sandwiches within strolling distance. An impressive set of headliners, including singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka and electronic-pop stalwarts Metronomy, ensure the natural amphitheatre that forms the main stage remains packed until midnight.
