Wales’ biggest independent music festival, the Green Man Festival, took place at the Glanusk Estate just outside Crickhowell once again this weekend from August 14 -17, writes Nancy Cavill.

It was the festival’s 19th time on the estate and its 22nd year overall.

It was a supremely sun-drenched affair this year - a real treat for those of us who remember many muddy, rainy years - and it was a real vintage year. Comments from fellow music fans noted how the Main Stage line-up was particularly strong. And I think that, by fairly common consent, Saturday night act CMAT ‘won’ Green Man 2025 with a wildly energetic, crowd-pleasing performance, just edging it over Sunday evening’s spellbinding set by Beth Gibbons. Other views are available.

Thursday afternoon saw a strong performance from goth-heavy Heartworms followed by a fun and quirky ‘secret’ set by a festival favourite Gruff Rhys (of Super Furry Animals fame). But the buzz about the site was all about Kneecap.

In 20 years of going to the festival I’ve never seen such a huge Thursday night crowd, not even for legend Patti Smith in 2013. The Far Out tent was rammed to the rafters and outside was almost as densely packed, as fans eagerly awaited the trio of Northern Irish, Irish-language rappers. The band have been no stranger to controversy and it was no surprise that the audience was happy to chant ‘free Palestine’ when the topic inevitably came up. There were also anti-BBC chants with the band slating the organisation for not live broadcasting their Glastonbury set earlier this summer. This led to a surprise appearance by a Swansea cafe owner, Helen Wilson, who had live-streamed the band’s Glastonbury set on her TikTok - receiving millions of views. “Diolch Helen,” they said to her, “Kneecap never forgets a favour.”

Friday’s highlights included John Grant with his mellifluous voice and tracks from his latest album, The Art Of The Lie. Much anticipated Wunderhorse were underwhelming, but Wet Leg gave the crowd what they wanted - a chance to dance and sing along. They offered a sassy yet somehow vulnerable performance and proved themselves worthy headliners who had much more to offer than their hit ‘Chaise Longue’.

Saturday’s highlights included MJ Lenderman and The Wind on the main stage in a perfect late afternoon slot for the ‘young Neil Young’ vibe. Underworld stormed the main stage as headliners - Born Slippy clearly took so many back to their 90s clubbing days - and English Teacher headlining at the Far Out tent were a joy to watch, though a huge contrast after the high drama and energy of the aforementioned CMAT.

On Sunday the main stage once again proved an irresistible draw with a massive performance from Leeds’ post-punk outfit Yard Act. They had the crowd on their feet from the back of the field to stage front where the mosh-pit turned into a human whirlpool. This was despite them allegedly “running on empty” after a two years of touring. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them return as a headline act such was their impact.

It seemed like Yard Act would make the subtlety of Beth Gibbons’ beautifully orchestrated music pale by comparison, but nothing could be further from the truth. The calm came after the storm and she delivered a near perfect set with her Portishead numbers causing a sudden stillness in the crowd and an emotional reaction in some. The festival finished on a high with Cymande or TV on the Radio (take your pick) and the usual pagan-sounding burning of the Green Man (a nod to the festival’s hippy origins).