TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2019SCENE ON THE GREEN
Idles deliver an optimistic, exhilarating end to Green Man – a festival
that is really hitting its stride, says Holly Williams
Old-fashioned punk outfit prove masculine rock isn’t all swagger (EPA)
Now in its 17th year, Green Man festival sold out again in record time. But it’s easy to see why revellers
loyally return year after year – and it’s not just for the music. Set in one of the most beautiful festival sites in
the UK, on the Glanusk estate in south Wales, its outdoor stages are framed by the Black Mountains. Even
when shrouded in heavy rainclouds – as on this year’s very soggy Friday – it makes for a stunning backdrop
for a friendly festival that still feels much smaller than it’s 20,000 capacity. By day, kids run free and wild,
entertained by family-friendly workshops and laid back crowds at the main stage; by night, grown ups
who’ve been sampling the impressive array of local cider and craft beers – there’s no screeching branding
here – can run wild too, with DJs until 4am.