Shwmae and welcome to Green Man Chinwag, where we introduce you to a bumper bunch of GM25 acts via our punchy mini-Q&A – both newer discoveries and firm favourites! As we begin to look towards this year’s festival, we’re picking artists’ curious brains to learn what keeps their creative fires ablaze, and uncover their fondest – and wildest – memories of performing live.
For our first feature, we’re catching up with Leeds’ English Teacher, whose collaborative spirit makes for offerings that are as tangibly fresh as they are timeless. Pinballing from art-rock to indie and crunching punk and back again, in 2024, the four-piece unveiled a corker of a debut LP in ‘This Could Be Texas’, which went on to scoop the Mercury Prize.
They have stormed their way into the hearts (and record collections) of music fans all across the country – something we were lucky enough to witness first-hand when the band performed on the Rising Stage in 2022, before returning to our fields and lighting up the Far Out tent the following year. We are beyond buzzed to have them back with us this summer. To celebrate, we asked bassist Nicholas Eden some quick fire questions…
For fans of: Nilüfer Yanya, Parquet Courts, Porridge Radio
Where to start: ‘Nearly Daffodils’ – a guitar-driven paean to seasonal transitions that unfurls at a sprightly pace, as sweet and rejuvenating as spring itself.
What does your dream backstage rider look like?
As it does every show; hummus, carrot sticks and ginger shots.
Any humorous experience you’ve had on stage…
We’re far too serious for humour! Alternative answer: we once had a drum stool snap, and [drummer] Douglas [Frost] fell over at the Boiler Shop venue in Newcastle.
What can we expect from your Green Man 2025 performance?
New songs, old songs but definitely more new songs!
What’s the first thing you do when you get back home from tour?
Put a wash on.
If you could have been at any gig in history, what would it be?
Green Man 2024. Frustratingly, we had other commitments and were touring at the time...
Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to this summer?
Vitamin D synthesis.
And finally, what’s your favourite biscuit?
Hobnobs.