SONISPHERE FESTIVAL 2011 By Seth Kanaris, Class 6M

Homework February 2012: A Busy Place

The Sonisphere festival in Knebworth was an awesome experience, although it was very busy. The car park was humungous , and it took us ages to walk to the actual venue! When we arrived, we were swimming through seas of people with the sound of brilliant music travelling across the airwaves , reverberating through the ground as we walked across the venue between stages to watch our favourite bands. I didn’t just hear the music – I felt it too.

Everywhere was extremely crowded, with loads of people of all shapes, sizes, colours, and ages about: metalheads are not just dudes in black wearing skulls and looking gothic – Sonisphere is a good example of the eclectic mix to demonstrate this. There were people who threw beer, shoved their way through the cr owd knocking everyone over , and people who just fell on others; but there were also polite people, helpful people, and normal looking people just like you and me.

The atmosphere was electric – it was loud, it was happy, it was captivating , and it was exciting. It was amazing standing at the back of the crowd, looking over all the bobbing heads, and watching awesome artists performing. Every time the crowd moved, th e rest of us, including me, swayed along as if part of a musical breeze. Everyone was very happy and people were enjoying themselves - being amused by Bill Bailey, a hysterical comedian , was also a highlight, with the busy crown a bit more chilled than when watching the bands

When the Big Four (Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica – they also had a guest performance by Diamond Head) came on, everyone went crazy! As the crowd started to swell , while we were in a good position at the front close to the stage , eventually it started to feel as if we were drowning. It was then that we were splashed with beer, pushed, and fell on. I got really scared and told my parents that I wanted to move to somewhere less crowded, so we did and enjoyed the rest of the p erformance s from a much safer place.

All havoc ensued during the Metallica performance and especially during the encore when all five bands played together. They all played my favourite songs, but the highlight was when the Big Four and Diamond Head played ‘Am I Evil?’ together. Everything was incredible. T crowd was pumping, and sitting on my Dad’s shoulder bobbing up and down to the music it felt like I was part of a raging tempest , but at the same time in full control of the ship.

I have been to many gi gs, theatre shows, the underground, two protest marches , and have experienced many crowds; but nothing can compare to the crowds at a Sonisphere Festival , who are part of the fun and experience . So are you going to the Sonisphere Festival? I sure hope so, because if you don’t it’s a missed opportunity...