Wales’ largest music, science and arts festival, Green Man, have announced the first wave of acts to be playing its 2023 event, in the epic surroundings of the Black Mountains, deep in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, from the 17th – 20th of August.
Headlining this year’s edition are beloved Swedish indie folk sister duo First Aid Kit, legendary space rock band Spiritualized and new wave pioneers Devo. Tickets for this year’s festival sold out in just four hours back in September following a fantastic 20th anniversary celebration in the Welsh Mountains just weeks before.
The magic of Green Man lies not just in its scenery and music. Made up of 10 individual areas, the festival also offers a diverse range of events to accompany its incredible line-up, boasting art installations spread throughout the tranquil valley, a beer and cider tent to enjoy a crisp Welsh pint, an Ancient Egypt-themed area of discovery and exploration for the little folk, a relaxation and workshop space for the teenagers, plus science engagement area Einstein’s Garden. Further line ups of music, science, film, comedy & literature will be revealed in the coming months.
Following their sold-out 2022 UK tour, First Aid Kit will return to the Brecon Beacons for the first time in almost a decade, this time to headline the Mountain Stage. The globally acclaimed duo will play a career-spanning set, including tracks from their glorious new album Palomino.
The J Spaceman-fronted outfit Spiritualized are set to headline Green Man for the second time after their unforgettable 2008 set. From their seminal 1997 record Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space to last year’s Everything Was Beautiful, the band have been endlessly influential, and their timeless blend of neo-psychedelia, gospel, shoegaze and more is sure to make for a mesmerising beginning to the weekend.
Now entering their sixth decade together, the legendary Devo will be playing Green Man for the first time ever. One of the most innovative bands in new wave, the Ohio-based collective have continued to develop creatively and influence contemporary rock since the ‘70s with their satirical social commentary and off-kilter, kitschy take on rock and synth-pop.
The full first line-up announcement is as follows…
The line-up is brimming with some of the finest talent from the UK and Ireland, including Irish folk four-piece Lankum, apocalyptic space funk trio The Comet Is Coming, London-based rockers Warmduscher, leftfield electronic duo Jockstrap, Brighton post-punk five-piece Squid, Nigerian-born, London-based futurist Obongjayar as well as Green Man favourites and Welsh natives Melyn Melin who will be playing the festival for the third year in a row.
Elsewhere, Snail Mail, Sudan Archives, PVA, The Delgados, Bob Vylan, Special Interest and Sorry amongst many others are sure to prove as highlights from across the rest of the weekend, with plenty more names across all stages to be announced over the coming months.
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 Brecon Beacons, Wales. The festival is comprised of ten unique areas – from comedy, literature to wellness, theatre and contemporary dance.
