Friday Mixtape: Green Man's mix to get you on your feet, even if you can’t be arsed

Date
11 August 2017

Next weekend Wales’ Brecon Beacons will be overwhelmed with gig-going music fans and some of the best bands on the touring circuit for Green Man festival.

It’s no surprise that Green Man has sold out with a line-up that features acts such as Ryan Adams, and Angel Olsen to the Thee Oh Sees and Kate Tempest. To celebrate a sell out and 15 years of Green Man, as well as of course getting attendees excited for the festival ahead, programmer and director Ben Coleman has made this week’s Friday Mixtape.

Why have you picked these songs, what do they remind you of or made you feel?

Ten songs (!!!) was my first thought. Choosing just ten puts me in an immediate pickle which isn’t helped when I start putting the playlist together. So I’d definitely call this a moment in time pick. The playlist kicks off with a couple of big hitters…

The National, Green Gloves: The National played Green Man back in 2008, a year when Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, The War on Drugs and Caribou also played. It was a significant year and Green Gloves is full of nostalgia.

Bon Iver, For Emma: It felt like the whole festival was there singing along to Bon Iver in 2009. The Mountain Stage has offered up some magic memories and this, along with Mykonos by Fleet Foxes in 2011, brought out the most harmonious hoards.

Weyes Blood, Used To Be: Weyes Blood hasn’t played Green Man before and she isn’t playing this year either. But she, and this record, are so good that I couldn’t not put a track from her on this playlist. Front Row Seat to Earth is a wonderful record. Here’s hoping for a Green Man outing in 2018!

BadBadNotGood, Time Moves Slow ft Sam Herring (Future Islands): Then the playlist jumps to the present with BadBadNotGood. Time Moves Slow is up there with my most listened tracks of the year… Such a smooth all round feel to it, topped with Sam Herring’s vocal. I tried to book Future Islands and BBNG on the same day this year to try and get them to do this live but couldn’t work it out, boo.

Aldous Harding, Blend: Another act playing this year who I’m really excited about is Aldous Harding. John Parish’s production teamed with Aldous’ voice and qwerk make some magic for sure. She plays the Walled Garden and has the awesome H Hawkline (also playing Thursday) in her band too, so it’s gonna be beautiful.

Girls, Vomit: I remember their show in the Far Out tent in 2010 blowing me and everybody else away. The emotion waxes and wanes in Vomit, it’s a euphoric track, especially with the choir near the end. Sad that they bowed out but Christopher Owens continues to make mighty fine music.

William Onyeabor, Fantastic Man: Perhaps part of the most fun Friday night we’ve ever had on the Mountain Stage. The William Onyeabor project brought together great musicians who created a fantastic show and a brilliant night in 2015. Hot Chip followed!

Roni Size, Brown Paper Bag: Growing up I was a big DnB fan and Roni Size definitely helped push me in that direction. 2017 is the 20th anniversary of New Forms his Mercury nominated record, so I thought that this was a good excuse (if I needed any) to bring some classic drum and bass to Green Man.

Jon Hopkins, Open Eye Signal: His set in 2012 was probably the busiest I’d ever seen the tent at that time (we have a bigger tent now). He’s back this year and I expect the bigger tent will feel just as full. There’s a follow up to his 2013 record immunity round the corner!

Kamasi Washington, Changing Of The Guard: Thought it was best to stick the 12 minutes and 15 seconds track at the end, although there are a couple of other long ones in there. Kamasi’s set last year was a real moment for me, with a crowd that whole-heartedly embraced it. The muscianship was special to witness.

When or where should this mixtape be listened to?

Best listened to when you’re planning on going out but have that can’t be arsed feeling. It might ease you in and move you up the gears… But maybe bring you back to square one at the end.

What are your fondest memories of Green Man?

It’s generally pretty bonkers in truth, running around in a bit of a daze. But there’s always a point when myself, Fi (my mum), Nush, and the rest of the core team get together and watch a bit of a headliner together. Usually get a spine tingle then. Oh, and when we watch the Far Out tent go up – a very “shiiiiiit it’s happening” feeling.

Who are you looking forward to this year?

Tricky question… all of it!? PJ Harvey! Thee Oh Sees, into Jon Hopkins, into Daniel Avery on Saturday will be something. Ryan Adams! Mercury Prize nominees Kate Tempest and The Big Moon! Future Islands! Honestly, all of them.

Who are the artists you listen to that you switch your Spotify to private for?

That’s more of a thing on the Green Man Spotify which we have in the office. Some members of the team are keen Little Mix fans. Not me.

If a film was to be made about Green Man, what song would play on the trailer?

The Green Man-alishi by Fleetwood Mac obviously! Nothing to do with the lyrics particularly. The name, the moon reference, and the eerie feel.

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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