Voting is now open to decide on a shortlist of potential bands to open Green Man’s iconic Mountain Stage in August.
Welsh bands Hyll, Mellt, SHLUG, Rona Mac and Papa Jupe’s T.C. have made the long list of 23 potential finalists in the Green Man Rising emerging artist competition and it’s now down to you to vote on who makes the shortlist of five final acts.
All five finalists will record a professional session ahead of the live streamed virtual final, which will run across Green Man’s digital channels in the summer.
Green Man Festival has a worldwide reputation as a launchpad for emerging talent and this year’s Green Man Rising competition received demos from over 3500 hopeful acts – a record number of applicants in the competition’s 16-year history.
The five Welsh acts shortlisted – Hyll, Mellt, Shlug, Rona Mac and Papa Jupe’s T.C. – come from all parts of the country and showcase the sheer variety of talent emerging from Wales – from electro pop to Americana folk, riff-packed rock and every influence in between.
Green Man Rising offers up-and-coming talent the unique opportunity to join music legends and play in front of Green Man’s music loving audience and industry maestros, joining many well-known musicians who credit the festival for kick-starting their careers.
Judges consist of leading music industry agents, managers, promoters, journalists and bloggers which in previous years have included MOJO, Bella Union, Moshi Moshi, NME, Domino Records, Communion, Rough Trade, Heavenly Records, Beggars, ATC, Times, CAA, Guardian and others.
Teddy Hunter from South Wales, winner of Green Man Rising 2021 competition, said: “[Rising] gave me more confidence in where my music could head…the exposure to an enormous new audience, major industry tastemakers, the support of Fiona and her team at the festival and the Green Man Trust over the past year, and the personal pride of being the winner of such an internationally well-respected festival slot has been incredible!”
Acts who have played the Rising stage, including Porridge Radio, Black Midi and Sports Team have gone on to receive Mercury Prize nominations and two-time Welsh Music Prize winners Adwaith, Melin Melyn and Panic Shack have all played the Mountain Stage. Lots of Rising acts have returned to play Green Man’s bigger stages and others have had Best Album of the Year nominations, appeared in Rolling Stone and Maida Vale Studios and signed to Domino, Communion, Rough Trade and Moshi Moshi.
Every single Green Man Rising application has been listened to by a leading music industry decision maker, with high-profile industry experts lined up to select the final winner from your shortlist of five.
Phil Alexander, Global Creative Director for Kerrang added: “Rising is an excellent way for new music talent to become noticed and benefit from development opportunities. Participating artists perform at the festival in front of an audience of thousands. This in itself is unique and of huge benefit to the acts.
“It provides them with a platform in a way that is rare in this day and age.”
Head to gmfe.st/rising-vote to listen to the 23 acts and vote for your shortlist by June 4th.
Wales’ Green Man 2023 runs from 17th-20th August.
