Sonorama, 20 years is said soon
Sonorama is a festival of friends. One of those who are traveling halfway around the world (we know that there are people who have traveled from Chile) to reach the heart of the Castilian plateau and spend five days from concert to concert in Aranda de Duero. But also of those friends who one day 20 years ago decided to come to the rescue of a couple of colleagues who had ended up in debt trying to save their record store . Second time lucky and, after a first attempt at a festival that did not give the expected results, they organized another one to recover the investment without knowing that two decades later they would bring together the best of Spanish indie music to celebrate their birthday.
And, of course, the anniversary party, promise. Five stages in the fairgrounds and eight scattered around the city. In total, 136 bands and about 40 DJs to put rhythm to a few days in which the music will start at noon and end around 06:00. Figures resulting from a trajectory in which the festival and those who make it possible have grown a lot. Very much.
Two decades give to grow a lot
“We have changed scenery three times: we started in the bullring, then we went to the soccer field and then to the fairgrounds , which has already outgrown us. We have gained in personnel and we have learned a lot from other bigger ones. We have also gained in friends , which is something that cannot be quantified, but morally and emotionally, yes”, tells Traveler.es Xandra González, a member since its inception of Art de Troya, the association that organizes the festival.
Now, the essence remains. They no longer have to take care of mounting the fences themselves as they did in the beginning, but it remains. “That thing about grandmothers, about mothers when they are hostesses, about that we want everything to be fine, that people are comfortable and that they enjoy it, we have not lost it” , she points her out and then explains that the Sonorama is made by them and they do it with all their love. “We all have our jobs, we ask for vacations for the festival and we find gaps where there are none”.
Faced with such a display of dedication, festival friend, you will have no choice but to return to Aranda to reciprocate. Yeah, we know it's probably not your first time. In fact, you brag about past editions behind your back and The triangle that makes up the fairgrounds, the Plaza del Trigo and the Charco stage have no mysteries for you.
However, surely there facts, tips and news that escape you and that we, generously (you're welcome), reveal to you here. Everything is because your title of Connoisseur of the festival does not pass into other hands. Your passport to the wisdom of Sonorama, below.
One of tricks, tips and news
SONORAMA. AND THAT NAME?
The name comes from the union of cinema and music. “The first years we also made stories related to short films and the initial idea was to merge film and music. So, we mixed 'sono' for the sound part and 'branch' for cinerama." Xandra explains.
THE MOST FAITHFUL GROUP
Who is the artist who has repeated the most times? "I don't have it in mind," Xandra admits. “Although there are some who have come a lot, like **Iván Ferreiro**. The first time he came he was a child and so were we and to see him 15 years later and when he finds you he gives you a hug, it's very cool”.
THOSE THAT PREMIERE
Give some proper names, the ones that sound the most: ** Leiva and, how could it be otherwise, the surprise of this edition, Camela. ** "People are delighted and Sunday is going to be a party and I dream of you to be the hit of the campsite. We are not going to talk about purists, but about people who transmit love and good vibes”.
THE RECORD
Gather in the same poster so many groups, 136 bands, of Spanish indie. “We break records because it is the only time that they are all Spanish”.
SONORAMA IN THE HEART
“It has been an important appointment for some time now because It was one of the first festivals that bet on mainly national groups” , explains Noni, singer of the group Lori Meyers. The band from Granada is a confessed fan of wine, suckling lamb and the essence of Sonorama. “It is a festival with a super healthy environment and a essential appointment of the season”.
**ANECDOTES (CONFESSABLE) **
Yes of course. Xandra remembers when Javier Ajenjo, creator of Sonorama, told in the Plaza del Trigo how the Second group had stayed to sleep at the house of one of the festival's partners. “Then the Seconds appeared on the balcony of this house that is in the square and they came walking to the stage. For me, that is the essence of the festival.” She also laughs when explaining how the Hu-ha! by Chimo Bayo was the only thing heard for hours at the festival campsite after the DJ's performance.
The public has also given them more than one joy. “They have fallen in love here and have invited us to the wedding. They have also sent us photos of an ultrasound of a baby conceived at Sonorama.”
AND THE FESTIVAL TOOK THE STREETS
If something characterizes Sonorama and makes it different from other festivals in the Spanish geography, it is that transcends the limits of the fairgrounds where it is celebrated to bring music to the streets of the city. Neighbors and festival-goers live together for five days in Aranda.
This has not been the case from the beginning. had to wait until year 2003 for this idea to take shape. “In the history of the festival there was a year of impasse in which we did not know what was going to happen. We made the decision not to hold the festival as such, but rather concerts in the streets of Aranda. As the reception was brutal, the following year we decided not to lose that essence. We know that we have created a trend and now they copy us”.
Xandra is aware of the madness of launching an initiative that completely transforms the city for a weekend, but also translates into a significant economic impact. “We have earned respect in Aranda and people talk about us as something important that has happened here. It has taken us many years because at first it was not so easy, but when people have begun to see this in perspective they have been infected with this pride. I don't know how many years it will last but I think we have left a mark”, she analyzes with enthusiasm.
And the festival took to the streets
PUBLIC PROFILE
There is everything. “On the one hand comes a lot young people who stays at the campsite, but also comes older people and with children. In fact, children have an important place in Sonorama and they have their own stage”.
EXPERT LEVEL TIPS
- The first “redeem the ticket for the bracelet and as soon as they can go to the camping area, better place they will catch. Arriving at night is more complex, because setting up a tent without daylight is always more difficult”.
- Not to the car. In Aranda there are no distances, so dust off your legs and use them. Make up your mind! - Zero stress. If the mogollón is not your thing, opt for one of the scenarios scattered around the neighborhoods. How about one of Charco by the river?
- Night Rebequita (ESSENTIAL). This is Castile.
- Straw hat and water pistol. Seriously, this is Castilla and the day-night contrast is brutal.
- Good footwear. The sandals are for the beach and if not, you'll tell us after the first stomp.
- The most awaited moment: when Civil Protection waters you from the balconies of the Plaza del Trigo.
- They are sold here cachis , not minis.
- Recognize locals with a "Come on, one from Aranda."
- Long live the wine! Here a red is ordered directly. What other wine will they serve you while you are in Ribera?
Important: going to the camping area is your priority
THE NEW DATA
This year **access to the Plaza del Trigo, always pedestrian, will be regulated during concert hours (from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.) **. Thus, the streets Béjar, Las Boticas and Tamarón will be to leave the square, not to enter. Those of Josefina Arias de Miranda, Montás, Empedrada and Isilla will remain open in both directions.
WHERE TO EAT
The timeless classic or reinvent the tradition? Both, of course, if the options we are talking about are the mythical Florence House (Isilla Street, 14) and The 51 of the SUN (Sol de las Moreras street, 51). The milk of all life with his mixed salad from the first, compared to the creativity with which David Izquierdo interprets Castilian cuisine of the second. In addition, at El 51 del SOL they have prepared **a special menu with dishes such as Bombón de suckling lamb, Torta in evolution or Cork stopper (€39) ** and they organize Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Vermouth Sonorama with live music from 1:30 p.m.
Also, remember that if you have a season ticket for the festival, On Saturday the 12th between 11:00 and 1:00 p.m. you can access the lunch provided by Bodegas Tierra Aranda, El Chilindrón and El Jarro. On the menu? Black pudding, chorizo, bread and wine.
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