The Quietus have been going to Green Man for the eight years we’ve been in existence. I first found out I was going to become a dad while camping at the festival. As that information was sinking in, I could hear a host of heavenly voices singing ‘Crazy’ by Cee Lo Green just outside my tent. I poked my head out just to see Charlotte Church and mates having a breakfast and fry up singsong. So I’ve always come to expect a little bit of magic every time I visit the Brecon Beacons. (I’ll be going to see Charlotte’s Late Night Pop Dungeon on the Friday night in the Walled Garden at half past the witching hour.
It’s a bit too late for my son who is now five…)
The first through the turnstiles on Thursday will get to see one of the best bands of the weekend: Meatraffle, 4.45pm on the Far Out Stage. For those of you only setting off on Friday morning, make sure you get there in time to see The Membranes at 2.30pm also on the Far Out Stage – these bronze hewn colossi of post punk have never sounded better in their three decade plus history. Friday features tQ favourites galore such as sax master Kamasi Washington, progressive indie rock tyke Kiran Leonard and
electronic wunderkinder Floating Points.
On Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, it seems fair to assume that everyone will be tuning into the festival’s radio station, Green Man Radio (87.7FM) to listen to Luke Turner and I banishing hangovers with The Quietus Hour, (featuring music and chat with festival guests).
On Saturday I’m giving a reading from my book Jolly Lad at 3pm at Dylan’s Mobile Bookstore,
which is parked in the Babbling Tongues field – come and say hello! Our list of must see acts on Saturday is long and righteous, including Beak>, Battles, Blanck Mass and Awesome Tapes From Africa but there is one clear winner – Brixton’s own Fat White Family – the world’s greatest rock & roll band – appearing on the After Dark stage at 1.15am… yikes!
There is another stellar day on Sunday, when we’ll be watching Pete Paphides, Songhoy Blues and The Besnard Lakes but also keeping our powder dry for the inimitable Moonlandingz – a make believe synth pop psych rock band from Valhaladale, Yorkshire – at 3pm on the Far Out Stage. And if for any reason you find yourself wandering off site to The Britannia Inn for a pint of ale, do ask the landlord for a portion of “Crickhowell tapas” – you won’t be disappointed. Whatever you do though, be sure to have a
magical time at Green Man this year.
