could Green Man Festival be a festival-utopia?

The Green Man Festival 2009 review

By Richard Stevens | Published: Thu 27th Aug 2009

The Green Man Festival 2009 - around the festival site (2)
Photo credit: Steve Palmer

The Green Man Festival 2009

Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August 2009
Glanusk Park, Usk Valley, Powys, Wales, NP8 1LP, Wales MAP
adult weekend £115, teen £50 (children aged 12 & under are free) - SOLD OUT

Sunday openers It's A Buffalo weren't a great start to the day, although when the vocalist stopped shouting his way through the songs they were slightly more listenable. Shouting was something that was definitely not happening on the Far Out stage with Welsh folksters 9 Bach. Giving each of the traditional Welsh folk songs an English introduction (much appreciated!) they were a much more calming affair.

around the festival site (3)
Back to the shouting on the main stage, this time it was Zun Zun Egui making a really enjoyable racket that sounded closer to what I thought Gang Gang Dance were going to be like live. They were a mashup of many different genres that worked perfectly.

Again we went from one extreme to the other as Trembling Bells, Alex Neilson's band but one made unique by the extraordinary vocal talents of Lavinia Blackwall, whom without Trembling Bells would be just another trad-folk band.

Scott Matthews
Scott Matthews, who relies less on an extraordinary voice but more on his songwriting is up next with a relaxing and inviting show, but one that doesn't grab the attention of everyone, especially those at the back with their picnics.

Camera Obscura, quickly becoming my favourite Scottish band, released the criminally under-appreciated My Maudlin Career back in April and have been touring ever since. Making their first appearance at Green Man, but as usual not looking like a band having the most fun onstage, they are impeccably dressed and Tracyanne Campbell takes us through a fabulous set with her gorgeous Scottish accent and dulcet tone. 'Honey In The Sun', 'French Navy', 'Swans' and obviously the classic 'Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken' are a brilliant end to the day and weekend for us.

I am tempted to say that this years Green Man Festival was as close to festival-utopia that I have experienced - top quality acts, beautiful surroundings, friendly punters and perfect weather is the blueprint. Easy, huh?

around the festival site (1)

review by: Richard Stevens

photos by: Sarah Stevens


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