For anyone who fancies themselves as the next Manic Street Preachers, Adwaith or Lemfreck, the news that Green Man festival has launched the latest edition of its grassroots music competition should come as music to their ears.
The Green Man Rising competition is a yearly contest to uncover the best up-and-coming musical acts in the UK, granting winning artists an opportunity to play to sold-out crowds at Wales’ Green Man festival in the summer.
Now in its 17th year, the initiative forms part of the Welsh festival’s commitment to supporting grassroots music in Wales and around the UK. Along with the opportunity to open the festival on the main stage in August, the winner of the contest, which is free to enter, will also receive a professional recording at the event. Runners-up will also bag a slot on the festival’s smaller – but equally prestigious – Rising Stage.
It’s these factors that have helped propel previous shortlisted entrants of the contest to go on to receive Mercury Prize and Best Album of the Year nominations, as well as feature in Rolling Stone and appear in BBC Radio A-lists.
A panel of leading music industry professionals will select five finalists to compete in the Green Man Rising final, where the overall winner will be crowned during a live event in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, ahead of the 2026 edition of the festival.
Speaking about the Green Man Rising initiative, Fiona Stewart, Green Man Managing Director and owner, said, ‘It’s incredible to see so many music careers launched at Green Man, and it's important to create opportunities for talented musicians to shine. Engaging with the music industry in a credible way is essential in that journey.’
‘Green Man Rising offers the experience of performing in front of thousands, supported by major event production and an opportunity to be noticed by the many leading music industry professionals, press and discerning, music-loving audience who attend each year,’ Fiona added.
Held each summer in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Green Man is one of Wales’ premier music festivals, selling out its 25,000 capacity each year. Artists on the bill this year include Wolf Alice, Four Tet and Mogwai, while previous headliners have included Wet Leg, Jon Hopkins, First Aid Kit and Idles.
Learn more about the Green Man Rising competition, including how to enter, on the official Green Man website. Alternatively, uncover more of the amazing festivals happening around Wales each year.