29 April 2025
Marco Gandolfi
Green Man Festival has announced the five shortlisted artists competing in the 2025 Green Man Rising live final, set to take place at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach on Tuesday, May 20. Hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Huw Stephens, the evening will see emerging UK acts battle it out for a coveted spot on the Mountain Stage at the sold-out Green Man Festival this August.
Selected from a record-breaking 4,000 applicants, the final five acts—A Lesser Version, lots of hands, Sarah Meth, Shale, and wing!—will each perform live in front of a panel of industry experts. One standout artist will be crowned winner, earning the prestigious honour of opening the Mountain Stage at Green Man 2025, taking place 14–17 August in the Brecon Beacons.
The Green Man Rising competition is now in its 16th year and remains a key part of the festival’s commitment to supporting new talent. Past winners and finalists have gone on to receive acclaim from the likes of BBC 6 Music, NME, Rolling Stone, Clash, and more. Last year’s champions, The Orchestra (For Now), are already making waves across the UK music scene.
While only one act will take the top slot, all finalists will receive a performance slot on the Rising Stage at Green Man 2025—an important stepping stone that has previously hosted breakout stars including The Last Dinner Party, English Teacher, TTSSFU, and Melin Melyn. Each act will also receive a professional live recording of their performance, offering valuable exposure to future labels, agents, and promoters.
Green Man Managing Director Fiona Stewart said, “Supporting emerging talent is at the heart of Green Man. The standard this year was incredibly high, and we’re so excited to see who will be chosen to open the 2025 festival.”
