Sonisphere moves up a gear
Sonisphere has got bigger – much bigger – and good news for organisers Kilimanjaro Live, the Sunday was a complete and utter sell out as metal fans flocked to Knebworth House in Hertfordshire for a feast of metal, rock, electro and punk. With a stellar line up topped by Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Alice Cooper, Slayer, Placebo, Motley Crue, Gallows, Pendulum and Alice in Chains, the weekend was blessed with remarkably good weather too (last year it rained!) continuing this bloggers run of good luck with festivals this summer – a baking Glastonbury, a roasting Lounge on the Farm and now a glorious sun drenched Sonisphere. I got the train from London and the shuttle bus at Stevenage station couldn’t have been easier – a distinct improvement on last year when things were a bit more muddled - and well done to the organisers for making train travel so easy. There were big signs up at the station, directing festival goers to the shuttle bus, staff on hand to help and plenty of room for rucksacks and tents. Its a quick ride over the motorway and then Sonisphere comes into view – with vastly more camping (and parking) this year. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
The lovely Lucy showed me round the site just as Skunk Anansie came on stage – we had to stop and watch the end of their set by the way – they were on TOP form – a real eye opener – and Skin hasn’t changed AT ALL – I must get some of whatever she is taking – my picture in the attic is running out of time. The site is remarkably litter free (for a Festival) and one new innovation at Sonisphere this year was a Coke sponsored recycling scheme where punters could ‘Swap for swag’ – returning used plastic bottles to a big stand in the main arena where they could swap them for swag – 10 bottles gets you a torch and lanyard, 15 bottles a cap and 20 bottles a T-shirt. It works – when we got to the stand they were urgently trying to get hold of more stocks having completely run out – just as two of the sites most avid collectors returned with more recycling (see the two young ladies in the photo on the right) ! Sonisphere also now have a 10P deposit scheme on their paper and plastic beer glasses and again it just encourages people to return glasses to the bar for recycling. [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
We all know left behind tents remain a big problem. Apart from their ‘Simply The Fest’ campaign for recycling tents, Sonisphere have teamed up with The Better Festival Group to launch the Big Tent Recycle Campaign for 2010 to urge festival goers to recycle tents, sleeping bags and camping mats – it really is best to take all your gear home and reuse it, but knowing some people just won’t do this we really hope this scheme works. Sonisdphere's websites is now one of the most popular destinations for rick and metal fans accross the world so for those about to recycle - we salute you.
Overall, a bigger, better and distinctly greener approach at Sonisphere this year. Hats (or recycled caps) off to them and all who rock with them! Now, its time to run for the hills. http://uk.sonispherefestivals.com/ Better Festival Group www.thebetterfestivalgroup.co.ukYou can read Phil Davies' review on E-Festivals here http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/sonisphere/2010/review-day2.shtml and Scott Williams' reviews here http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/sonisphere/2010/review-friday.shtml and here http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/sonisphere/2010/review-saturday.shtml and here http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/sonisphere/2010/review-overview.shtm and here's Virtual Festival's review http://www.virtualfestivals.com/festivals/reviews/8214/-/-Sonisphere-Festival-2010-RatedWe were at two other festivals this weekend - here's a link to E-Festivals for what went on at KENDAL CALLING http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/kendalcalling/2010/review-overview.shtml here's a link to a review of the CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/cambridgefolk/2010/reviewpart3.shtml [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]