Go Green Man: Stereoboard's Best Of Beautiful Bunch

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Black Mountains, Green Man is one the most visually stunning festivals on the circuit and that, when combined with its eclectic line up of established acts and future stars, makes it a yearly highlight for many returning attendees.

This year, the wonderful Band Of Horses, current chart sensation Ben Howard and Kings Of Convenience, in a rare UK performance, will headline the Mountain stage, while Fuck Buttons, Horrors, Stornoway, Midlake, Edwyn Collins and Patti Smith are also set to tread the boards. The line up may be the strongest they’ve ever put together and there's even a brand new stage, Green Man Rising, to showcase the very best unsigned talent from around the UK.

What makes Green Man so special, though, is discovering bands live for the first time away from the main stage, not to mention the unique character of the festival. Here are just some of the things you should have an eye out for when you touch down.

Half Moon Run

This Canadian five-piece have spent time supporting Mumford and Sons and Of Monsters and Men recently. Their debut album, 'Dark Eyes', has earned them praise from both sides of the Atlantic and their lively indie sounds should fit perfectly at Green Man.

Chai Wallahs

Always a favourite spot. If you've never been before make sure you set aside some time for a break with a herbal drink at Chai Wallahs. With live DJs playing it's chilled out during the day and bouncing after dark.

Annie Dressner

Cambridge-based New Yorker Annie Dressner has released an album and EP already this year and her delicate acoustics are an ideal way to cure your hangover. Playing on the intimate Walled Garden stage, her vocals will remind you of First Aid Kit on some of the more upbeat tracks, but it's the achingly personal ballads where she's at her best.

The Burning Of The Green Man

While there's often a temptation to dash off on a Sunday evening, particularly in wet years, if you do then you're going to miss one of the yearly highlights, where the Green Man himself goes up in flames. Last year's creation stood about 30 feet high and it's a sight to behold when the bonfire is lit and he fades to embers for another year.

Fist Of The First Man

A side project of music producer and film scorer Zwolf, Fist Of The First Man are likely to be one of the Far Out Tent highlights. Proving Green Man is far from just a folk festival, their dark, broody, bass-led creations grab you by the collar and demand your attention. This is likely to be one of the most raucous sets of the weekend.

Comedy/Literature Tent

Always a strength of Green Man, the comedy and literature tent offers a tremendous variety of acts. With six hours a day devoted to the written word, including appearances from Caitlin Moran and James Yorkston, from 6pm onwards comedy takes over and it's an incredibly strong line up this year, with Josh Widdicombe and Jared Christmas among the most-anticipated sets.

Gulp

The new project of Super Furry Animals bassist Guto Pryce, featuring vocalist Lindsey Leven, Gulp are still working on their first full-length release, but their early singles make their Far Out Tent slot a must see. Game Love shows the same experimental ideals mixed with pop melody that made the Furries such a great live act.

Einstein's Garden

A favourite area for families and kids, but it's great fun for a wander about for adults too. Taking over the courtyard area between Mountain Stage and Walled Garden you can expect the unexpected here. Three sustainably-powered stages host comedy, music, walks and talks and much more, all set to this years theme of 'heroes'. It's completely random and great fun.

Wild Smiles 

If you're getting a craving for some fuzzy indie guitars then Wild Smiles is the set for you. With a sound reminiscent of the Boxer Rebellion they're a bit of a Britpop throwback. The Hampshire trio take on the Far Out tent on Saturday afternoon, an ideal way to get your energy back up for the rest of the day.

Beer Festival

Every year the quality and reasonable prices of food and drink at Green Man astonishes. This year they've gone a step further with a full beer festival on site offering a choice of 99 ales, ciders and Perries from 21 different Welsh breweries. With a 24 hour licence there's plenty of time to sample whatever takes your fancy.

Green Man will take over the Glanusk Estate between August 15-18.

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