Lanzarote on the artistic, scenic and cultural map of Europe and the world

Once again this year, Sonidos Líquidos has demonstrated its social, environmental and artistic commitment to the island, also coinciding with dates close to World Environment Day.

Lanzarote is a unique island. But you already know that. You’ve seen its sunsets, walked through its landscapes, sampled its deepest and most intense essence, felt the rock and sand under your feet and the saltpetre covering your skin.

But now, stop and listen. Can you hear it? In the distance some chords sound… But how is that possible when you’re in the middle of nowhere? Well, it’s not exactly like that.

All around you, the covering of volcanic lapilli stretches as far as the eye can see; the black landscape is dotted with green specks of vine, planted in holes sheltered from the wind by small walls and, in your hand, you are holding a glass filled with a sweet elixir extracted from the plants you are gazing upon. And the musical notes become clearer and clearer until they envelop you…

The most sustainable music event in the Canary Islands

These sounds, which are intoxicating, come from the most sustainable festival in the Canary Islands and it is held here, in the middle of La Geria, to show that art, culture and sustainability can go hand in hand and endure over time. And this has been demonstrated by its organisers, year after year, in the twelve editions that have been held so far.

Throughout this time, the  festival’s main objective has been to put Lanzarote on the artistic, scenic and cultural map through a strong commitment to the environment, in general, and to the island of volcanoes, in particular. And that commitment is called Sonidos Líquidos (Liquid Sounds).

This festival began as a chimerical dream and has managed to consolidate itself as one of the most stable festivals on the national scene, attracting artists from all over the world and of various styles, who want to play on the utopian stage of La Geria.

This goal was achieved and has become much bigger than could have ever been imagined. Because not only have the organisers placed the island on the European music and festival scene, but they have also made known its gastronomy and wines with Lanzarote Designation of Origin, as well as a less well-known part of the island, committed to nature, culture and the legacy of generations who worked and cared for the land that sustains us.

A festival that has managed to put the spotlight on Lanzarote

Sonidos Líquidos has been able to take what already existed and take it to another level. It has managed to get winemakers, artists, the public administration, private entities, NGOs, associations and citizens in general to agree and get involved in a unique festival in the Canary Islands.

Because it is clear to them that this project can only go ahead with the maximum possible support. They advocate environmental responsibility, highlighting the need to create unique and ephemeral spaces, where the greatest achievement is to leave no trace behind.

Each edition surprises with its line-up, but also with new proposals prior to the festival, where the protagonists, apart from the guest bands, are the venues where they are held.

In this way, they have managed to fill the island’s wineries and emblematic spaces with a different public, with examples like the El Grifo winery or the Monumento al Campesino in this latest edition, highlighting their interest in taking music beyond the limits of La Geria.

These concerts are called “Experiences” and bring together good atmosphere, music, gastronomy and sustainability in unique locations.

In addition, they want to take advantage of the experience they already have to focus on different areas of the island, somewhat further away from the wine circuit, such as Arrecife, where every year they hold a pre-festival day.

Other years they have travelled to Gran Canaria or Tenerife, creating a mini-tour with up-and-coming bands, or they bring emerging artists from other islands.

The tangible translation of sustainability

To become the most sustainable festival in the Canary Islands and to carry Lanzarote as a flag might be a stroke of luck, but to stay at the top year after year shows the great effort they make to be the best and to improve with each edition.

It has been hard work that has been achieved thanks to the support of the consultancy MJC Ambiental, who set in motion a machinery that continues to grow today.

And that machinery translates into numbers:

85% of attendees use public transport to get to the festival from different parts of the island, avoiding 62% of CO₂ emissions.

They have reduced waste by 8.3% compared to previous editions, with this being mostly organic waste and glass.

To offset their carbon footprint, they collaborate with the “CommuniTree-Community Reforestation” project, which monitors member companies to help them achieve the twin goals of fighting climate change and poverty.

70% of the ingredients used are local products, thus encouraging the drinks and food consumed at the festival to be from Km 0.

All this directly generates the employment of 200 people during the days of the festival, apart from the indirect employment of more than 15 small- and medium-sized companies in Lanzarote.

And not forgetting the support to local communities through partnerships with different social and environmental organisations on the island.

Balance and social development

In addition, this year they are launching the 1st Sonamos Contigo Call, an initiative with which they want to encourage new actions aimed at improving and conserving the natural, cultural and/or heritage environment of Lanzarote, while at the same time promoting the reduction of social inequalities and the promotion of social welfare.

And if all this were not enough, Sonidos Líquidos has achieved three stars in the A Greener Festival certification and the prize for the best European festival in the Community Action Award category, both awarded by the A Greener Festival association.

On the 10th of June we will be able to vibrate in the bodega La Geria with the sounds of Crystal Fighters, DePedro, Arde Bogotá, Miranda and the Beat, Drûpe, Tabaiba and the session by 2manydjs – so you can be sure you won’t stop dancing at any moment.

And all of this washed down with the best wines of Lanzarote and delicacies of the island.

In short, Sonidos Líquidos maintains its social, environmental and artistic commitment to Lanzarote.

These are projects that feed off each other and grow together, year after year, without forgetting that unique essence that comes from the island of volcanoes.