James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
Set in Glanusk Park in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons’ Sugar Loaf Mountain, “the definitive boutique festival” (the Guardian) is making its return on August 21-23, and promises to be a treat for the eyes and ears. Eagerly awaiting the friendly, chilled out paradise, The Yorker is on hand to give you a little taste of Green Man Festival’s best line-up ever.
Green Man has a reputation for showcasing the finest in psychedelic and folk acts, as well as occasionally dedicating its stage to popular music legends. This year, each headliner fits one of those titles, from Friday’s wonderfully leftfield choice of Animal Collective, to the alt-country-folk "American Radiohead" Wilco, who close the festival on Sunday night. In between, Britpop survivor and all round superstar Jarvis Cocker brings his heavy new sound (and gyrating-beanpole-in-a-suit moves) to the Main Stage.
Supports on the Main Stage include a special guest slot by Bon Iver and further performances by a wide range of bands including the stunning Grizzly Bear, atmospheric prog trio Dirty Three, and occasionally twee folksters Camera Obscura, Emmy the Great and Noah and the Whale. Appearances by those who were making music long before most of us were born include sets by psych-rock god Roky Erickson and Detroit-born folk icon Sixto Rodriguez.
Elsewhere, Fleet Foxes’ record label Bella Union hosts a night of acts in the Far Out Tent, including virtuosic multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird, freak-folkers Vetiver, dream-pop duo Beach House and singer-songwriter Peter Broderick. Former members of the eccentric Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, Euros Childs and Richard James, perform separately on Saturday, and members of Fife’s Fence Collective make an appearance early on Sunday. Acts as diverse as Gang Gang Dance, The Phantom Band, Joe Gideon & The Shark, Peggy Sue and Four Tet also appear on the bill as the weekend unfolds.
Like any decent festival, though, there’s much more on offer than just bands playing; after hours on Saturday and Sunday nights, The Amorphous Androgynous and Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve each curate lengthy (and probably slightly crazy, if the video below is anything to go by) DJ sets, whilst Friday night sees British Sea Power perform their soundtrack to the recent film, Man of Aran, live in the Film Tent. Throughout the weekend, the Green Man Comedy and Literature Tents host the likes of Josie Long, Mitch Benn, Howard Marks, Julian Cope and the League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson.
Green Man Festival weekend tickets are still on sale here for £115 (only £99 if you've got a valid NUS Extra card for 2008-9), and for an extra £30 you can turn up days early to pitch your tents and take in the beautiful surrounding countryside away from the festival bustle.
The Yorker interviews: Animal Collective | Emmy the Great | Joe Gideon & The Shark
The Yorker reviews: Animal Collective | Grizzly Bear | Andrew Bird | Camera Obscura | JG&TS
You must log in to submit a comment.
