Sonisphere Smashed by Sudden Storm, UK Photosets Launched

08/09/10 22:51, by , Categories: Music News, Festivals and Events, Moonshayde Photography , Tags: alice cooper, iggy pop, iron maiden, motley crue, slayer, sonisphere finland, sonisphere uk

A “severe thunderstorm” blew in from the Baltic Sea Sunday and touched down on Sonisphere Finland. Though it only lasted about five minutes, the clang of Thor’s hammer left its mark. Two people were hospitalised with serious injuries (no longer critical as of publication) and forty others were treated for minor injuries.

Click through for the rest of the story and links to amazing exclusive photosets from Sonisphere UK!

The second festival stage was damaged beyond repair and is currently being held up by a crane. Several bands were forced to cancel their appearances at the festival. Motley Crue, whose drum kit was smashed by the storm, returned to the U.S. without performing.

In a huge team effort involving at least thirty hairdryers, stage hands dried what could be salvaged and got it working again, while other bands at the festival offered the loan of theirs.

Iggy Pop jumped onstage to provide an impromptu four-song acoustic set with his guitarist, then held the mike to his saxophonist’s horn for ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog.’

Iron Maiden’s equipment was also badly damaged, but they made an appearance two hours later than planned to a huge response from the fans. Alice Cooper also played a full set, using equipment borrowed from Slayer.

See the whole amazing story on the Sonisphere Festivals site!

Meanwhile, Sonisphere UK sold out their three-day stopover at Knebworth…and our Moonshayde Saunders was there to bring you her special brand of live music photography! Today we bring you some exclusive treats from Day One: Delain, Turisas, Europe and Gary Numan. Don’t miss them!

DanG says: CHECK BACK IN! We’ll hear from our reviewers PLUS

Day 2 will include Anthrax, Fear Factory, Motley Crue, Soulfly, Skunk Anansie, Apocalyptica and Rammstein!
Day 3 photosets will include Alice In Chains, Slayer, Iron Maiden, The Cult and Iggy & The Stooges!

UPDATE: Sonisphere Festival posted on their Facebook page August 12: “We have just received news that the 50-year old male that was critically injured during the freak storm at Sonisphere Finland has passed away. We are obviously shocked and devastated and would like to offer our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim – the thoughts of Team Sonisphere, Iron Maiden and all Sonisphere Fans are with you.”