By Carl Green Man

MAIN STAGE

Super Furry Animals

One of the most creative and consistently engaging bands that Wales or indeed the World has ever produced. 8 albums in now and recently signed to Rough Trade, the Super Furry Animals haven’t dropped the baton once. From all-out experimentalism to pure pop bliss the Super Furry Animals have been leading the pack for nigh on 13 years. Hey Venus! is a swing back to the poppier sounds of Fuzzy which can only mean their set on Saturday will be the perfect soundtrack to a proper shindig.

Spiritualized

Jason Spaceman is back with his 6th studio outing under the Spiritualized banner, “Songs In A&E”. Jason explains “ The Idea was to record and put the record out quick, but then I became ill. I had double pneumonia. I had Legionnaires’ disease or something, so…I was quite ill, it took it out of me” But despite the initial harrowing genesis of the album he has still managed to produce a record more even than any of its predecessors and of course is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the year. Live they are legendary and there could be no better way to close the first night on the Main Stage.

Pentangle

Well now, many have wanted this day to come but possibly never realistically expected it to happen. Well it has and one of the most influential groups ever have reformed. For six relentlessly active years spanning 1967-73 British folk/jazz 'supergroup' Pentangle were one of the most exciting and innovative groups in the world, genuinely pushing boundaries and exploring new musical avenues. This is a turn up for the books of monumental importance, many, if not most of the acts that have played the Green Man stages over the years will undoubtedly doff their caps to the influence that Pentangle have had on them. Recent live performances have been received rapturously and proved that they can still cut it big time and remain as fresh and exciting as ever.

Drive By Truckers

2007 was a year of transition and reinvention for the band, having been on the road almost constantly since the Autumn of 2001 a break was desperately needed. A little time at home to recharge and perhaps rethink some things. Thankfully for us the brief hiatus is over and the band are back with a new album “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” which has received rave reviews pretty much everywhere it has been featured. A treat is in store because live they awesome and they will surely go down in history as one of the best Southern rock bands of all time.

Richard Thompson

There are not many artists who emerged in the second half of the 60s who have had as much impact on music as Richard Thompson. While in his teenage years he formed one of the 60s most influential groups, Fairport Convention. Fairport were THE folk rock pioneers and he hasn’t let up since, continually recording and touring throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s and is still going strong with yet another album under his belt, “Sweet Warrior”. Still as vital and fresh as ever almost 40 years on, Richard Thompson remains one of the most important musicians this country has ever produced.

Iron And Wine

While many of us learned of Iron and Wine by way of Sam Beam’s tender and spare rendering of The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” on the Garden State soundtrack, those who dug deeper discovered a classic American tunesmith with a precocious musical signature. Songs like “Lion’s Mane,” “Jesus the Mexican Boy” and “Naked as We Came” are remarkable demonstrations of craft; musically memorable, lyrically evocative and casually atmospheric. Recent tours have seen the live band expand resulting in a deep, textured and immersive live experience with the full intentions of Beam’s mind realised.