POWYS’ Green Man Festival has become the first Welsh music festival to be awarded a gold charter by charity Attitude is Everything, for improving access to music for those with extra learning needs and disabilities.
The charity focuses on connecting disabled people with music and live event industries to improve access together.
After previously being awarded a silver charter, Green Man’s continued dedication to improving accessibility has been recognised as it is now a gold charter event.
It is the first Welsh music festival to achieve gold status. Held near Crickhowell every August, with a dedicated campsite close to the main arena, with dedicated showers, toilets and a 24-hour covered charging point for power chair batteries, Green Man hopes to ensure that live music in the heart of Wales is accessible for all those who want to enjoy it.
Green Man has implemented initiatives such as: erecting a new respite tent, for those who need a quiet space during the festival; 2023 is the first year there will be a British Sign Language (BSL) provision for the Mountain stage headliners (the top three acts every day) as well as for Ceri Ann Arian’s performance; there is BSL provision and captioning of Green Man’s live streamed Rising Stage final; there will be audio description of performing arts Ramshacklicious and Hijinx on the Saturday of the festival; hearing loops have been fitted in the Babbling Tongues and Cinedrome areas; all performances across the Green Man site are relaxed performances to help those with sensory needs; and Green Man has employed a dedicated access officer.
Fiona Stewart, managing director and owner of the Green Man festival, said: “Green Man is a celebration of inclusivity and making it accessible and welcoming to everyone who wants to attend is something all of our team are invested in.
“Our motivation for creating Green Man is the joy people get out of the experience, and if we can do this in the Black Mountains and fields of the Bannau Brecheiog National Park then I hope this will encourage others across the country.”
Green Man 2023 – which includes music, comedy, literature, film, performing arts, food, science, kids and teens and much more – takes place from August 17-20. Performers include Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit, American rock band Devo, English indie rock band Spiritualized, Australlian punk band Amyl & The Sniffers, and Britian’s Slowdive playing.
For more information visit www.greenman.net.
