Head Space Daily Words...

As the London Overground train, pulled out of Brockley station on Tuesday morning, Elevator Operator by Courtney Barnett – the first track on her album Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit - blared from my earphones, filling my head with memories of the final performance I saw at the Green Man Festival.

During a visit from our Bristol friends in April, my wife and her mate got chatting over a bottle of wine about meeting up in the summer, places to go and things to do. Green Man came up in the conversation, it seemed family friendly, there were some very good acts lined up, the location appeared impressive and it is not ridiculously big like Glasto. Sold. Before we knew it, we were booked in and three other families signed up for the adventure as well.

With no summer break happening this year, Green Man was going to be our family holiday and we were determined to make the most of it. Last year, on our usual camping trip to France, our car broke down and couldn’t be trusted to make the journey again. Our tent had also begun to spring more leaks (sic) than a Welsh farmer’s field. It was on its way out and would not survive another two week family holiday. As I mentioned in my previous post, this was to be my first festival, having been a clubber in my younger days but was now willing to throw myself in, embrace the portaloos and join the great unwashed, for four days of celebrating music.

We met everyone in Bristol at lunchtime on Thursday and drove in convoy to Crickhowell in Wales, where the festival is held, driving over some narrow country roads, avoiding sheep along the way, whilst listening to Matthew E White, Wiliam Onyeabor, and Courtney Barnett, with some Unknown Mortal Orchestra thrown in for good measure.

Arriving at Green Man was a real buzz, until it dawned just how far we would have to haul our luggage and tent from car to pitch and how many journeys it would take. Two hours and twenty minutes later and with legs like tree trunks, our temporary home was established.

Thursday was about getting set and finding our bearings. The kids quickly realised that this could be a cracking weekend, with freedom to roam, stalls selling tasty food (and sweets,) a fairground big wheel and plenty to discover and explore. Leftfield were headlining on Thursday in the Far Out tent, which isn’t really my thing, although the casualty outside the venue, with his big fish-little fish dance routine, caused the kids to ask a few questions. The thought was, roll on Friday.

I had earmarked the acts I wanted to see and any others that could be squeezed in would be a bonus. The two on Friday’s list were Natalie Prass and The Music Of William Onyeabor, who were both playing the Mountain Stage – a large outdoor Amphitheatre. As it turned out, the day’s entertainment started with Sweet Baboo, who were sweet indeed, before Natalie Prass, who is signed to Matthew E White’s label, Spacebomb took the stage. My word, she is an all round bona fide star. She has the look, a cool Richmond (Virginia) drawl, massive red plastic shades, with a voice to take your breath away. For most of the day, there had been a light drizzle but the rain stopped for Natalie Prass’s show and mid set, the sun came bursting through, which was a truly memorable moment. I only knew two of her tunes, so to hear the full range over the course of an hour, was a real pleasure. Tickets have been bought for me and the missus to see Natalie Prass play Koko in November.

Natalie Prass summons the sunshine...

Next up was a real revelation. I’ve always had a soft spot for Sun Ra and their ‘cosmic jazz.’ I use the title of one of his tracks, Space Is The Place, as a mantra for the kids’ football team that I manage. Sun Ra himself left this planet for the outerspaceways in 1993 and is now orbiting Saturn. As the current band leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra informed us, he would have been 101 years old this year. The Arkestra, led by 91-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen, is a jazz band with many members - there were at least eight musicians on stage – and was also appearing at Far Out, which is undercover, dark and intimate, having the appearance of a vast circus tent. At one point, Marshall played a contraption that produced some fantastical high pitched bursts of noise, whilst the vocal front man who was wearing a Pharaoh style headdress and was no spring chicken himself, began turning cart wheels. The music was superb.

The revelation is that I went with my eldest son who, as I mentioned in my previous post, had reservations about Green Man but he was blown away by Sun Ra Arkestra and the experience of a live gig. His eyes gave away his excitement, shining in the darkness. Imagine your first serious musical experience at thirteen years of age, being the sounds of Sun Ra.

My youngest son’s first real taste of live musical excitement came later on that evening with The Music Of William Onyeabor led by Alexis Taylor, the front man of Hot Chip, who were themselves due to play the Mountain Stage as that night’s headline act. Whilst loving William Onyeabor, my youngest son’s musical revelation was still to come.

Saturday began with glorious sunshine and hanging out around the festival space, getting our phones charged up by bike powered electricity and making the most of what was on offer, before heading over to Far Out once again, this time to see Songhoy Blues, from Mali. There was palpable anticipation in the crowd, then the heavens opened and torrential rain tumbled down, as the Songhoy set grew from low key to stirring Afro rock. My eldest son was blown away once more, “it was even better than Sun Ra,” he declared, before defiantly stating that he was going to buy the album. If Natalie Prass was the coolest solo performer on show, Songhoy Blues were the coolest band. With energy to burn, they looked the part, sounded the part and loved being on stage.

The weather closes in at Green Man...

Charles Bradley is a big favourite of mine and was appearing on the Mountain Stage to spread the love in a way that only he can – direct from his soul. The rain paused for Charles and a mid show costume change saw him looking like he may be able to sign up for Sun Ra and a one-way ticket to Saturn.

My drink of choice at Green Man was Growler Ale and with a fresh pint in my hand, we headed back to Far Out to see The Fall, a band led by a slightly less energetic man in Mark E Smith. The Fall’s music was brilliant – a true Manchester sound, bass heavy and urgent. Mark E Smith’s face contorted like a prize gurner under the influence and his words were indecipherable but he maintained a twisted, dominant presence, as he appeared to try and disturb his keyboard player and guitarist by interfering with their instruments. I imagine they are used to it. Watching The Fall was an interesting experience.

We left Far Out and walked around the outside of the Mountain Stage, where Super Furry Animals were starting their set which was being greeted by more rain. The place was rammed, Welsh heroes reunited and performing on home turf. Having never been into Super Furries and with a deluge underway, we continued back to base, to catch up with our mates. This time there would be no let up. The water was relentless.

Next morning, water was dripping in from numerous weak points in the tent roof, as the floor resembled a paddling pool. With breakfast eaten, we packed up and wheeled our luggage back to the car, which left us free to enjoy the rest of the day. The mud was becoming a dominant feature - but no festival is complete without mud - and my wellies were proving to be an essential purchase. With the rain showing no sign of stopping, people were starting to call it a day. Not us though.

Wellies. Mud...

Matthew E White was first on Sunday’s list and one of the two acts I had been most looking forward to seeing. He was sound checking with his band on the Mountain Stage, immediately before he was due to perform. I don’t know if this was due to the weather causing problems, or if he was just running late but his levels weren’t quite right when his show got under way and during sections when his voice needed to be quieter, he was drowned out by the music. This was a pity but it was still a real buzz to see him perform and the experience will be better when he is next on tour.

As Matthew E White was playing, the sun suddenly showed it’s face, in exactly the same way it had during his label mate, Natalie Prass’s performance on Friday. It must be the Spacebomb Records effect and the sun didn’t merely come out – it was blazing!! We had gone from a festival ending deluge, to glorious sunshine.

Everyone in our Green Man posse headed up to Far Out once more, where Sylvan Esso – who were extremely good – were playing, followed by Public Service Broadcasting, who appeared to have a strong and loyal crowd. Then came the main event and the second of my top two most wanted – Courtney Barnett. This was also to be my youngest son’s musical revelation. Courtney was the only act he had talked about seeing – and there she was, on stage in front of his very eyes. The four of us – myself, my wife and my two boys took up a central position in the packed crowd, with my eldest feeling the pull to get to the front, edging ever closer to the stage.

The Far Out tent with Sylvan Esso on screen...

Melbourne’s finest didn’t disappoint. She is raucous, intelligent, funny, has a message and a way with words that makes the humdrum vital. Despite the languid, slacker demeanour, she is determined, as sharp as a Samurai’s sword and can play the guitar lying down. The set started with Elevator Operator, finished with Pedestrian At Best, the in between was incredible, the sound intense, the atmosphere electric and we witnessed it as a family. What more could you ask for to round off a cracking festival. Courtney Barnett’s show at The Forum in November is one I am eagerly looking forward to.

We left straight after Courtney’s gig, against the backdrop of St.Vincent’s show which was closing the Festival. Our car got stuck in the mud and required help from stewards to get it moving, then, just over three hours later, we were back home in South East London. We left our tent behind, full of puddles, as a sacrificial offering to the spirit of Green Man. It has seen us through many good camping trips and went out on a high.

On that Tuesday mornings commute, I arrived at London Bridge to find the Jubilee Line had been suspended. As I was herded along with the rush hour flock, I thought of Oliver Paul, Courtney Barnett’s character in Elevator Operator, who one day skips work to build “pyramids out of coke cans.” I could just picture myself adding the final can to the top of the pyramid at next year’s Green Man...