Our emerging talent competition is on the lookout for headliners of the future. The winner gets a spot on the Green Man line-up opening the Mountain Stage, records a live session, releases a physical vinyl with Dinked and showcases their music to top music industry pros. It’s totally unsponsored and free to take part – 2026 applications are now open and will close 12th April!
THE SELECTION PROCESS
THE SHORTLIST
Each entry is listened to and whittled down to a longlist, which then goes to music industry tastemakers to get our shortlist of 5 acts.
THE LIVE FINAL
Our final will be held at Cardiff’s iconic Clwb Ifor Bach on 2nd June, where the experts will select one winner, who’ll open the Mountain Stage.
THE WINNER
The worthy winner will open the main stage at Green Man 2026 and releases a physical vinyl with Dinked! The runners up bag a spot on the Rising stage, along with a live session filmed at Green Man.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
A selection of previous winners include: wing!, Tony Njoku, Siobhan Wilson, Nuha Ruby Ra, Teddy Hunter, Dactyl Terra, Eve Appleton Band, The Orchestra (For Now).
PREVIOUS JUDGES
The expert industry judging panel changes each year, with the likes of Bella Union, Moshi Moshi, Kilimanjaro, NME, Domino Records, Rough Trade, Heavenly Records, Beggars, ATC and The Guardian!
TESTIMONIALS
“Green Man Rising has been the single most exciting and surreal experience of our lives. It feels like it has accelerated our journey as a band. It has given us the confidence to progress the band towards being a serious future career” The Orchestra (For Now), 2024 Winner
“We have received a flooding of support and new fans interested in our releases and coming to our shows” Eve Appleton Band, 2023 Winner
“The exposure to a large unknown audience, to major industry tastemakers, the support of the festival and the Green Man Trust over the past year has been incredible” Teddy Hunter, 2021 Winner
Green Man Rising is kindly supported by Green Man, Green Man Trust,
Arts Council Wales and Arts Council England.