Green Man Festival, the largest music and arts festival of its kind in Wales, officially begins today as festivalgoers are welcomed to the Black Mountains for its 21st edition. The independent festival takes place deep in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog from the 17th – 20th of August.
A full capacity audience of 25,000 visitors are once again expected after tickets for the 2023 event sold-out in record time, in the space of just 3 hours.
Now in its 21st year, Green Man Festival is an award-winning, independent music, arts, comedy and science festival held in the breathtaking surroundings of the Bannau Brycheiniog. Uniquely, Green Man refuses sponsorship so that independent Welsh food & beverage producers can be offered and curational freedom retained. The festival is comprised of ten unique areas – from comedy, literature to wellness, theatre and contemporary dance, and is the only large UK festival where a woman has majority ownership.
Festival goers arrive at the 21st Green Man Festival in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog on August 17. 
Festival goers arrive at the 21st Green Man Festival in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog on August 17. 
Festival goers arrive at the 21st Green Man Festival in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog on August 17. 
Festival goers arrive at the 21st Green Man Festival in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog on August 17. 
Festival goers arrive at the 21st Green Man Festival in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog on August 17.
Music lovers can expect to see Welsh bands, Rogue Jones, Sister Wives, The Gentle Good and The Bug Club on the opening day, along with Thursday night headliners, Spiritualized, and over the course of the weekend enjoy shows from headliners Self Esteem, Devo and First Aid Kit, amongst fan-favourites Young Fathers, H Hawkline, Beth Orton and many more.
Alongside the music, festivalgoers are also set to enjoy a line-up across science, wellness, performing arts, cinema, and literature, plus an Ancient Egypt themed area for the ‘little folk’, as well as comedy on the much celebrated ‘Last Laugh’ stage featuring comedians including Black Books’ Dylan Moran, stand-up Sean McLoughlin, Wales’ own Esyllt Sears, and more. Plus, refusing corporate sponsorship means Green Man can showcase incredible Welsh produce, including its very own festival brew, Green Man Growler!
Green Man 2023 will otherwise offer a 50/50 gender split of female artists and female fronted bands, continuing the festival’s commitment to inclusivity. Along with this, Green Man will also host a Pride march for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The festival will close in the time-honoured tradition on Sunday night with the burning of the Green Man, who’ll be adorned with notes written by the audience throughout the weekend. Green Man 2023 runs from Thursday August 17th to 20th. Tickets are sold out.