¡Vamos Hostias! - 1

August 9, in the afternoon. The Fiat 500X built-in navigator guides us further along the A-1 / E-5 interstate but we turn to Milagros via exit number 146.

It’s a tradition. This is how we pay tribute to the place where our historia ribereña once began. In 2013, before returning to the airport, we were sitting on the bank of the Riaza River beholding how the whole village of Milagros gathered on the opposite bank of the river for cooking the giant paella - and wept because we thought it would never happen again for us.

But somehow it happened 8 times more. Most of them we accommodate in Kinedomus Bienestar rural hotel. There is no better place than Kinedomus for the post-gig relaxation. It’s 3 km from Aranda opposite to the festival area. You arrive at the hotel at half past 3 am with buzzing ears – and you are surrounded by an endless, thick, almost palpable silence. The crickets is the only sound you can hear.

Some neutral assessment: despite the enormous heatwave that splashed upon the central regions of Spain this year, Sonorama had a huge influx of visitors. I have never seen so many people here, and not only me - it was noted by everyone we spoke to. The organizers’ policy to promote the festival amongst the younger audience is working apparently. Our beloved friend Gloria’s son once said: "I will not go with you cos it’s all dad music". So Gloria grabbed a short video once a day to show him the prevalence of all those young faces in the crowd. 30% of the line-up are urbanites and trappers - what kind of "dad music" it could be?

Ten years ago it was possible to come to Aranda’s historic cluster at 12:00 and go right to the security fence in front of the Plaza del Trigo stage to behold three concerts in a row plus one secret show staying there in the first line. Oh, good old times. Now it is impossible: you should arrive at least half an hour earlier to proceed to the first line, so we don’t even try to. The neighboring Plaza la Sal does not bear the same cult significance, no one fights for the opportunity to be in the first line there - and it fits us perfectly. Moreover, there are always some really interesting young bands performing there. The perfect choice for broadening your horizons.