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CMAT’s Rowdy Cover of Catatonia’s ‘Road Rage’ Rocks Green Man Festival 2025

CMAT’s Rowdy Cover of Catatonia’s ‘Road Rage’ Rocks Green Man Festival 2025

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
5 minute read

CMAT’s Rowdy Cover of Catatonia’s ‘Road Rage’ Rocks Green Man Festival 2025

CMAT's electrifying cover of Catatonia’s classic "Road Rage" at Green Man Festival 2025 brought nostalgic energy to the Brecon Beacons stage.

There’s something magical when a modern artist pays homage to a classic hit, especially one that shaped a generation. At the Green Man Festival 2025, Irish singer-songwriter CMAT did just that, unleashing a spirited and rowdy rendition of Catatonia’s beloved 90s anthem, “Road Rage.” If you were lucky enough to be at the Mountain Stage on August 16, you felt the electricity of that crowd, packed and buzzing with anticipation.

CMAT performing at Green Man Festival 2025

CMAT commanding the Mountain Stage at Green Man Festival 2025

Green Man Festival Welcomes CMAT with a Huge Crowd

CMAT’s arrival to the Green Man Festival was more than just another set; it was a moment. Drawing a massive crowd to the Mountain Stage, she treated fans to a set filled with her charmingly quirky hits like “Jamie Oliver Petrol Station,” “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me,” and “I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!” Before diving into the cover, she playfully declared, “CMAT stands for Cerys Matthews,” tipping her hat to Catatonia’s iconic frontwoman. To seal the tribute, CMAT draped herself in the Welsh flag, a gesture that truly connected past and present.

The original “Road Rage” was a roaring success for Catatonia in the late 1990s, peaking at Number Five on the official singles chart after its release in 1998. That nostalgia mixed with CMAT’s fresh, unpredictable style made for an unforgettable moment.

Here’s a clip capturing the vibe from the festival:

@murphyonthemap on TikTok
“@cmat covering Cerys Matthews at @Green Man Festival what a time to be alive 🏴🏴🏴”
♬ original sound – murphyonthemap

And if you want to relive the performance in full:

A Moment of Glastonbury Nerves and Triumph

This epic Green Man cover follows CMAT’s recent headline performance at Glastonbury 2025, where she candidly revealed just how nerve-wracking it was to step onto the Pyramid Stage. The days leading up to it had her "acting like someone who was about to go into war," shaking with fear, losing sleep, and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure.

“I was shaking with the fear. I couldn’t talk to anyone, I didn’t sleep, like I was ill. I was so, so scared. I was so scared for the Pyramid Stage.”
CMAT, in an interview with Evening Standard

But the moment she stepped on stage, relief washed over her. The fear melted into pure exhilaration.

“The first thought that occurred to me was, ‘Oh my God, I’m so relieved that this is about to be over, because I don’t have to be scared of it anymore.’”

Her Glastonbury set was met with glowing praise, described as capturing the very spirit of the festival and setting a high bar for performances to come.

Green Man’s Star-Studded Lineup and Festival Wrap-Up

CMAT shared the stage at Green Man with an eclectic lineup including Underworld, Perfume Genius, and Gwenno. The festival’s final night (August 17) promises more magic with performances by TV On The Radio and Beth Gibbons, wrapping up a weekend packed with unforgettable musical moments.

CMAT’s Summer Festival Blitz and Upcoming Tour

The summer is far from over for CMAT, who is still slated for numerous UK and European festivals, including the highly anticipated All Points East later this month.

Fans also have something special to look forward to—a UK and Ireland headline tour supporting her forthcoming album, Euro-Country. Set for release on August 29, the album’s vibe continues to blend heartfelt storytelling with an irresistibly fresh sound.

You can pre-order or pre-save Euro-Country here, and grab any remaining tickets for her tour on Ticketmaster.

For a peek into CMAT’s tour plans and new music, check out her interview from the BRITs 2025 below:

Why CMAT’s Cover Matters

It's more than just a cover — it’s a bridge between eras. CMAT’s spirited “Road Rage” performance is packed with passion and respect, reminding us how the greats of the '90s still inspire today's vibrant music scene. Draping herself in the Welsh flag was a cheeky yet heartfelt nod to Cerys Matthews and the legacy of Catatonia. For fans, that moment felt like a passing of the torch wrapped in a wild, unforgettable gig.

Wrapping Up the Green Man Vibes

Green Man Festival 2025 has been a rollercoaster of musical highlights, and CMAT’s fiery tribute to Catatonia stands out as a peak moment. It’s always thrilling when an artist you adore honors the legends who paved the way — it feels like a full-circle moment, a shout-out to the past wrapped in today’s energy.

  • What song did CMAT cover at Green Man Festival 2025?
    CMAT covered “Road Rage”, originally by Welsh band Catatonia.
  • When was Catatonia’s “Road Rage” released?
    The song was released in 1998 and became a top-5 UK single.
  • What other songs did CMAT perform at Green Man?
    Her set included “Jamie Oliver Petrol Station”, “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me”, and “I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!”
  • Is CMAT going on tour soon?
    Yes, she has a UK and Ireland headline tour planned to support her upcoming album Euro-Country released August 29.
  • Which other artists performed at Green Man Festival 2025?
    Notable performers included Underworld, Perfume Genius, Gwenno, TV On The Radio, and Beth Gibbons.

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