The Insiders' guide to Sonisphere

The team behind the festival tell you how to thrive at Knebworth

United Kingdom | 23 July 2010

Who better to advise you on how to have the best time possible at Sonisphere, Knebworth than the people who make the festival happen? So we rounded up a gaggle of Kilimanjaro's finest and tore them away from the last minute preparations, so they could inform you. Enjoy!

Big Green Coach have announced that they are working directly with this year's festival, providing ticket and travel packages for fans. The environmentally responsible travel company has a number of weekend camping passes for both sites with coaches running from a number of major cities. Click on the logo for full details.

Sonisphere Festival returns to the original home of rock, Knebworth Park for it second outing, from 30 July to 1 August with Iron Maiden, Rammstein and Alice Cooper headlining.

Here to tell you how to thrive there, are:
Mark Walker and Alan Day (artist bookers)
Zac Fox (festival manager)
Lucy Levitt (festival assistant)
Adam Sagir (head of press and media)
"Twitter Dude" (social media guru)
Steve Jenner (digital director - and also VF's founder)

What three essentials would you pack for Sonisphere?
Lucy: “Wet wipes, spare phone battery, TICKET.”
Mark: “Bog roll, condoms, sun tan lotion cos its going to be HOT.”
Zac: “A sun hat to keep sun and rain off, wet wipes and ear plugs.”
Twitter: “More socks, a good tent that you can sit in and my Metal Just got Gay t-shirt for the pit.”
Alan: “Beer, whiskey and vodka.”
Steve: “Money, phone, shades.”

What is the best way to start the weekend?
Twitter: “With a bottle of gin and no mobile phone.”
Zac: “A proper explore to get your bearings.”
Mark: “With a nice beer straight from your cool box, and the Friday fancy dress party.”
Lucy: “A beer and a visit to the info tent so I’d know where everything is.”
Adam: “By kneeling and kissing the holy ground of Knebworth and declaring ‘I’M HOOOOOOOOOOOOOME!’”

The three bands not to miss are…
Mark: “Me Vs Hero, Deaf Havana, and Family Force 5.”
Twitter: “Tek One, 80’s Matchbox B-Line Disaster and SAAAALALLLLLLllllAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYERAAAGH!!!!”
Zac: “Rammstein for the fire, Terrorvision for the singalong and Skunk Anansie because I have really missed them.”
Adam: “Apart from the obvious headliners... Dir en grey, The Defiled, Fei Comodo”
Lucy: “65 days of static, Tim Minchin and Rammstein.”
Steve: “Rammstein, Pendulum and Iggy & The Stooges.”

If you’re at a loose end, where would you head?
Lucy: “Bohemia bar for a chill out, or over to the Jager Ice bar!”
Zac: “To the info tent to find out what else is going on and have a nice chat with the team.”
Mark: “I won't be at a loose end... There are too many amazing bands on.”
Steve: “To one of the smaller stages where you may well fall in love with a new band.”

Away from the music, you must catch…
Zac: “The beer garden at the Bohemia bar. It will be a perfect spot to make a whole load of new friends.”
Twitter: “Andrew O’Neil the next biggest thing coming to a telly near you.”
Mark: “Look out for the gorgeous Sirens performing around the site! Lovely ladies.”
Adam: “The beach ball.”
Lucy: “Keep an eye out all weekend for the pop up Karaoke guy – bound to be a laugh.”
Steve: “Tim Minchin in the Bohemia Tent - it's the last time you'll see him in such an intimate setting.”

Shh. It’s a bit of an inside tip but festival-goers should visit…
Mark: “Go see bands you've never heard of. You may find that they are really ones you actually have heard of, playing under fake names.”
Steve: “The official merch stall with a copy of the Sonisphere mobile app on your phone - they'll give you £5 off one of the official t-shirts. Shhhhhh!”
Lucy: “Bohemia bar will be the place on site to get a pint of ale if lager’s not your thing. And make sure you swing by the Kerrang! singing tent early each day to check updated timings.”
Twitter: “The monster I just left in that portaloo!”

How would you end the weekend?
Mark: “Get drunk and end the weekend with some late night Tek-One action in the Bowtime Bar.”
Zac: “Drunk, arms around all my mates and singing my head off to Iron Maiden.”
Adam: “With a series of high fives hopefully.”
Lucy: “At Silent Disco in Red Bull.”
Twitter: “In my on-site harem playing Warhammer 40k with foxy military uniformed friends.”
Steve: “Gatecrashing someone's campfire whilst singing "Run to the Hills/ Run For Your Life!" as loud and high pitched as your blood-alcohol levels and battered voice will allow.”

Anything else you recommend?
Zac: “Locking up the stuff that matters so you don’t lose it or get it nicked and then going for it!”
Adam: “Just cos it’s a festival doesn't mean you can get away with not brushing your teeth.”
Mark: “And wear a condom.”
Twitter: “Walking boots over wellies.”
Steve: “Dress in white - you'll never have felt so unique.”
Lucy: “If you’re looking to make new friends then our fans from the forums have organised themselves into camps and will have official flag poles. Go introduce yourself and your bound to have a great weekend.”

Sonisphere 2010 (UK) will take place at Knebworth House from 30 July to 1 August.

Tickets are available now priced at £40 for Friday, £65 for Saturday or Sunday, £132.50 for the weekend or £157.50 for the weekend with camping.

Click here to buy Sonisphere Festival tickets.

Big Green Coach have announced that they are working directly with this year's festival, providing ticket and travel packages for fans.

The environmentally responsible travel company has a number of weekend camping passes for both sites with coaches running from a number of major cities.

Head to the Big Green Coach website for more details.