Over 20,000 expected to turn out for Green Man festival

The festival is hailed for its non-corporate, 'ethical' mantra. Credit: PA Images

Today is the second day of Green Man festival in the Brecon Beacons - one of Wales' biggest festivals.

Established in 2003, the festival plays host to live music, literature, poetry and cinema. >Tonight Welsh rock band Super Furry Animals take to the main stage. Organisers expect more than 20,000 to attend across the weekend, bringing an estimated half a million pounds to the local economy.

The festival has grown over the years and this year over 20,000 guests are expected. Credit: PA Images

The Welsh Government has praised the benefits of the festival for Wales' economy, while festival organisers emphasise that they promote local businesses and produce as much as possible.

They have given figures that show:

  • 34% of the festival audience visit another event or place of interest in Wales before, during, or after the festival

  • 24% visit a local pub or restaurant or visitor attraction

  • 22% extend their visit to Wales by at least one night

  • The audience, artists, and crew spend a minimum of £196 per head in Over the last four years, this comes to over £15.3 million spent in Wales by people attending Green Man, the majority of which is spent within 50 miles of the festival site in Crickhowell. Settler’s Pass is a UK exclusive festival offer and a strategy to drive income into the region. It extends a festival ticket into a 7day holiday in Wales, and the ticket is subsidised by Green Man to attract visitors to take up the offer. Attendees are encouraged to explore the beautiful Welsh countryside, tourist attractions and local restaurants and pubs. Partner-

  • ships with leisure and tourism organisations are promoted to the Settler’s to optimise opportunities for sales. Two-thousand people per day over four days attend the Settlement generating on average over £500,000. Not only does this generate money into the economy but it also encourages engagement with Wales and the region. This stimulates return visits throughout the year and an interest in Wales.

The organisers say that over the last four years, this comes to over £15.3 million spent in Wales by people attending Green Man, the majority of which is spent within 50 miles of the festival site in Crickhowell.