A Mid Wales valley is not the venue you would expect to hear multiple major bands saying they are playing to the biggest audience they’ve ever seen, but that is what Green Man 2024 was for some.

As Green Man returned for another year between Thursday, August 15, and Sunday, August 18, the festival based near Crickhowell welcomed hundreds of acclaimed musicians for a serene but spectacular event.

Even as someone who missed the festival’s first night, it was easy to be immersed in the unique energy and atmosphere of the Mid Wales festival for another year, with no shortage of performances across a easily accessible venue, it took no time at all to jump right into the constant stream of incredible music.

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One of the best things about the Welsh festival is the sense of discovery. Whether you’re running from one stage to another or parking by the main stage for the whole day, there’s such a rich variety of new, exciting and familiar music to soak in.

(Image: Josh Price)

For me that started on Saturday with the North Carolina band Wednesday on the main stage, who led the crowd in a cathartic scream with their unique kind of shoegaze with a southern twang, somehow making for a relaxed afternoon set and a energy boost for what was to come.

Racing to the Far Out stage, another standout were Ibibio Sound Machine, a truly magical set that was alive and pulsating for every second of the hour long performance. A mix of Afro-funk, electro and some classic disco thrown in for good measure, no other act got the crowd moving as energetically as this one.

(Image: Josh Price)

(Image: Josh Price)

Scattered throughout the festival, a surprise set by Porridge Radio delighted crowds at the Garden Wall stage, as did Oracle Sisters, while Green Man Rising hosted a wonderful array of new talent playing to healthy crowds of their own.

Headliners Big Thief closed out Saturday with a beautifully layered 90-minute set, mixed with haunting, meditative ballads and groovy folk rock, all joined by Adrianne Lenker detailed yet anthemic lyrics. For such a thoughtful and contemplative band, they had no shortage of euphoric singalongs for the Green Man crowd, which guitarist Buck Meek called “the largest audience we’ve ever played to”.

(Image: Josh Price)

(Image: Josh Price)

Normally the headliner might be the end of the night, but an extra surprise at the Walled garden saw several acts from the day returning to the stage for a medley of Talking Heads covers for ‘Byrne’s Night’. As Talking Heads are my favourite band I’ll admit to being biased, but it was insanely fun.

(Image: Josh Price)

 Sunday kept up the momentum, with no break in the outpouring of great acts. American indie singer Blondeshell wrapped up her tour with her first performance in Wales, Black Country, New Road brought their soulful art-rock to the main stage, followed by the really danceable jazz od Ezra Collective.

(Image: Josh Price)

(Image: Josh Price)

Then to close my Green Man 2024 experience, if the Walled Garden had a roof then Boston band Model/Actriz would have blasted it off with their explosive performance.

Green Man remains one of the most unique festivals you can go to in the summer and in its 22nd year, if 2024 is anything to go by, it’s lost none of that independent, experimental spirit that makes it so unique.