Black Lightning In The Black Mountains

Ronnie Parry sees the Green Man Festival reaching a plain beyond the rain

That old Welsh weather, it's got some front, several of them actually, wrapped around a deep low pressure system which seemed to rotate around the Black Mountains throughout the Green Man Festival. From dusk till dawn and dawn till dusk the wettest of weekends beside the River Usk. We all soaked up the great music, the mad mud and changing moods. The journey down from Ruthin through the Mid-Wales remoteness into a moonlit night.

The heavy dew, misty, smoky levels of campsite fog had everyone remarking the next day about the cold, cold, night. I checked the lay out on Friday, happy to see the spread just before the Green Poll winners Booger Red came on stage. A lot of thought went into this year’s festival. The Folkey Dokey tent’s relocation to behind the Walled Garden has been an inspired move, and moving the Rumpus Tent near to the Camp Fire on the hill filled a space and broadened out the appeal. Bringing a sunshine feel to Friday came Alela Diane and her father. They sparked a light to the Green Man and left a glowing welcome for the weekend’s arrival. King Creosote’s spirit and optimism reflects the Fife-based singer songwriter Kenny Anderson’s light in abundance. His music rings and resonates and the dreamy melodies open up the possibilities for listeners. You’ll never be able to close the coffin lid on the man.

The Cave Singers stormed in from Seattle. It was great to share in their moment. No one could be happier to hear the smoky vocals of Gomez singer Ben Ottewell and the charming performance he laid out at the Caf・. Spiritualized ended Friday’s Main Stage with a stretched soundscape drawn out as the fine drizzle filled the air. Saturday reached a new level to defy the deepening mud. A triple treat of beauty as 9Bach bathed the Main Stage with sultry Clare Maguire and the gorgeous Gwyneth Glyn entertaining the Caf・ crowd, in between some stirring Appalachian sounds from the Orange Blossom Special. King Creosote’s promise to return for a Saturday special Literature Tent show coincided with a cloud burst…

The tent became full to bursting as musical collaborators, including Pip Dylan and fabulous Fife man James Yorkston, joined up for an hour of humour and harmony. Such a highlight demanded a time to contemplate and much later the music hit another high note as Richard Thompson blessed us all with “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”. I just want to hug people for writing such great songs. A road song carved out by a folk panther with an-built route finder far better than any GPS system.

Was it necessary for Badly Drawn Boy to swear in front of his children while unfurling a set of Caf・ tunes which demonstrated his melodic genius? Though to be fair he immediately apologised after. Damon had a point with the speakers being too small and his monitors denying him the sound, which, nevertheless, sounded sound to us. Undoubtedly, the Green Man folk can see the potential of the Caf・’s magic space in time for next year. The stage canopy also resembled a giant Seasick Steve cap..intentional?

Seriously the festival’s artwork was awesome. Luke Insect? Well the Main Stage backdrop is the most stunning and dramatic I’ve seen. The Super Furry Animals blended their visual backdrop with a sound to great effectiveness. Their Saturday night headliner served a beautiful reminder of their creativity.

The log space around the Camp Fire took Saturday night into a Sunday morning place for discussion, drink and smoke. It led to a lazy Sunday start but once in a motivational mood I caught up with Simone White who performed a sparkling set on the Main Stage, a twinkling shyness overcome by defiance and lovely guitar notes.

The finest of the female fraternity Laura Marling sounded out the Main Stage with an intimate set. I’d missed out on Laura’s Hop Farm appearance due to some slow motorway driving and a bit of bridge phobia over the QE2. Sunday made up for it. A close up view of someone so gifted and accompanied by marvellous musicians, Laura has a pioneering outlook to leave you with no alternative but to heed her words and look forward.

The evening took a raucous turn as The Peth played the Folkey Dokey. Lots of guitar noise to burn the crust at the Pie Minister. Get it out of your system Rhys lad and enjoy the moment. Nina Nastasia brought a dark shining pearl of a set after The Peth. Fresh from a glimpse into the British social scene at a nearby hotel, Nina tore into the air and soared into the sky. A real edge, a real character.

Back down to the Main Stage and the moment of the Green Man arrived soon after Pentangle took to the stage just after 11 and lifted their sound to new stations. A cosmic wonder. They enthralled so many with a great way to say thanks to the “brilliant” Green Men, Women and Children. The joy of seeing and listening to Pentangle in such a stunning festival location will remain forever. Their presence offered the defining perspective of the Green Man’s deepening roots. This year’s Green Man witnessed the most spirited line-up yet. From Spiritualized and the Super Furry Animals to the magic closing slot for Pentangle, Green Man proves it’s fast approaching a defining moment.

© 2008 Ronnie Parry

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