TALL CHILD WINS GREEN MAN RISING 2026 AND EARNS COVETED MOUNTAIN STAGE OPENING SLOT

Green Man has found its next breakthrough star. London-based Tall Child has been crowned the winner of the prestigious Green Man Rising 2026 competition, earning the honour of opening the iconic Mountain Stage at this year's sold-out festival.

The announcement was made by BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Wales presenter Huw Stephens during the competition final at Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach, where Tall Child emerged victorious from a shortlist featuring Cyn Cwsg, Glasshouse Red Spider Mite, Kiosk and The Slow Country. The win comes after a record-breaking number of applications for this year's edition of the renowned emerging artist initiative.

As well as landing one of the most sought-after opening slots on the UK festival circuit, Tall Child will receive a week of studio time with Prah Recordings, a live session recording at Green Man 2026 and a physical vinyl release through Dinked Edition.

For more than a decade, Green Man Rising has developed a reputation as one of the country's most respected artist discovery platforms, helping shine a spotlight on future stars before they break into the mainstream. Previous participants have included BRIT Award winners The Last Dinner Party, Mercury Prize-winning outfit English Teacher and rising names such as Westside Cowboy, Silver Gore, Adult DVD and Keo.

This year's winner was selected by a panel featuring key industry figures from Green Man, Glastonbury, Billboard UK, Communion One, Mexican Summer, Now Wave and Resident Music, while the finalists themselves were handpicked by tastemakers from publications including NME, DIY, Dazed, Clash, Wonderland, So Young and The Quietus.

"Supporting emerging talent is at the heart of Green Man," said festival owner and managing director Fiona Stewart. "We had a record-breaking amount of entrants this year, so to be a finalist is a massive win already. A big congrats to the winner Tall Child, who'll open the Mountain Stage, and all the finalists — we can't wait to see how their careers progress."

Set against the backdrop of the Black Mountains in Bannau Brycheiniog, Green Man returns from 20-23 August and is once again completely sold out. With a track record of helping launch artists including Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg, CMAT, Michael Kiwanuka, Self Esteem and Kae Tempest, Tall Child's victory could prove to be the start of something much bigger.

More info: www.greenman.net