Night one of Green Man festival kicked off with a bang. With performances ranging from melodic folk to lively DJ sets, epic girl bands to classic indie rock boy bands, Thursday at Green Man was one big party. With day one wrapped up, Green Man festival goers have not only made new memories but hopefully come away as new fans of the fantastic artists on Thursday’s lineup.
CVC
Taking us back to 1970s pop rock fusions was CVC, Wales’ very own retro throwback with a contemporary rock twist. Taking the stage at the Walled Garden, the psychedelic sextetperformed CVC classics like Get Real. While they haven’t hit the stage since March, CVC haven’t lost any of their energy, filling the garden walls with the warmth of their melodic harmonies and charming stage demeanour. The Band treated us to some new songs, a little hint to some new releases coming soon. Keep an eye out for what CVC do next.
Charlotte Church’s Pop Dungeon
Charlotte Church struts onto the Far Out stage wearing fishnet tights, knee high boots, a bedazzled jacket and shoulder pads dangling with glittery strips, flowing behind her as she demands the Green Man crowd. Charlotte Church’s performance was a celebration of the love of music. Whilst Green Man is often about discovering fresh artists, this excentric cover band bought everyone together with tracks we can all dance to. From Charlie XCX to Prince, Charlotte Church provides something that everyone can get up and party to,
Mogwai
With their name meaning “devil” in Cantonese, Mogwai bought dark and epic melancholia to the Far Out tent. With the release of their latest album The Bad Fire, an ominous and synthy album, Mogwai created a cinematic ambiance, resembling the scores that John Carpenter used in his early 80s movies. Against the murky lighting and smoke, the atmosphere almost felt like an apocalyptic movie
Lime Garden
This Brighton indie rock girl band were fizzing with energy on Thursday night. Self-described as “wonk pop”, the four returned to Green Man for the third time on the Far Outtent, having first appeared at the festival on the Rising stage in 2022. Lime Garden performed tracks of their brand-new album Maybe Not Tonight, capturing the mood of a night out, all the surprises ahead. This feeling was felt by all in the tent, and was a energetic warm up for their tour starting in October.
What’s Next?
Green Man has only just kicked off, but there’s already plenty more to come. From chaotic dance-punk and disco grooves to legendary guitar-driven rock and artists making Green Man history, Friday’s line-up is one for the books. Here are five acts you won’t want to miss as the festival gets into full swing.
Getdown Services
Formed in Minehead, Getdown Services are a rock and pop duo, inspired by eighties disco and seventies infused groove. The duo is known for their sweaty, chaotic and hilarious topless performances, mixed with a slickness of their relentless dance beats. With their new album having been released just last week and a nearly sold-out national tour coming up, Getdown services are ones to catch this Friday.
Wilco
Coming from across the pond, Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago formed in the nineties. Wilco’s live shows are widely celebrated as masterclasses of modern rock, with the vocals and transcendent guitar work receiving consistent praise. While the group haven’t had any recent releases, Wilco’s performance is set to be a deeply moving and communalexperience, one that Green man goers won’t want to miss.
Pictish Trail
One of the solo standouts this Saturday is Pictish Trail, AKA Johnny Lynch, a Scottish musician making Green Man history. Lynch has attended and played every single Green Man since its start back in 2002, making him a true Green Man warrior. Having made his first album on his computer, Pictish Trail is set to perform in the Far Out tent, delivering electronic pop, synth and low-fi beats. Check out the tent to watch Pictish Trail continue to make Green Man History
Westside Cowboy
It’s a common pattern that everyone who supports Geese blows up, and Westside Cowboy is no exception. This Manchester rock band rose to fame having won Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition and have only grown in fandom since. This Friday, the group are taking on the Mountain stage ahead of their national tour this autumn with their debut album It Goes On. Catch them now before you can’t grab tickets.
Adult DVD
For those up in the early hours of the morning. Adult DVD are the band to keep the energy high. This Leeds based dance punk group have performed on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury and are now taking on the Walled Garden after dark. The band became viral with posts of their sold out shows in Japan, depicting funky and upbeat tracks designed to get crowds moving.
