Crowds Pour into the Usk Valley for the Green Man Festival
The hills of the Usk Valley are once again alive with music as the Green Man Festival returns to the Glanusk Estate, running from 14–17 August.
Locals here have a familiar saying: “USK Valley locals can often be heard saying that they’ve never heard of any of the bands at the Green Man Festival” – and truth be told, even seasoned festivalgoers admit it from time to time.
This year, however, there’s a twist. One of Thursday night’s headline acts, Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, has stirred up enough publicity to draw even the most casual music fan’s attention.
Their name has been splashed across headlines, setting the stage for what’s expected to be a packed crowd – though whether audiences leave as fans remains to be seen.
Still, no single act defines the Green Man Festival. Its charm lies in abundance – an eclectic spread of music and arts that leaves visitors with the enviable problem of choice.
With multiple stages running simultaneously, even die-hard fans rely on the ‘Clashfinder’ timetable to navigate where to be and when.
It can mean leaving the comfort of a perfect terrace seat at the Mountain Stage to trek up to the Far Out tent, which sits near the winding lane to Llangynidr.
Many regulars, myself included, swear each year to explore beyond the main stages. Plans are made to dip into the festival’s acclaimed talks, or to catch a laugh in the ‘Last Laugh’ comedy tent, this year featuring award-winning Welsh comic Kiri Pritchard-McLean.
But then a burst of unfamiliar music drifts through the air and, just like that, the plan changes.
And that’s the heart of it. As one festivalgoer put it: “And that’s the beauty of the festival experience for those who worry they don’t know the names on the bill. It doesn’t matter, the secret is that you’ll enjoy it whatever happens.”
In the end, whether you come for the headliners or stumble upon a hidden gem, the Green Man Festival remains one of Wales’ most beloved summer spectacles – an unmissable mix of music, culture and unexpected discoveries.
