NOS Alive 23: Unforgettable Music, Sustainability, and Inclusivity
3 reasons to go to
NOS Alive’23 (with a little surprise)
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Lisbon, Portugal recently played host to the 15th edition of NOS Alive, an incredible music festival that left attendees awestruck. With a lineup to die for and a commitment to sustainability, the festival organisers went above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience.
We had the privilege of speaking with Álvaro Covões, the director of Everything Is New, the event's promoter, and Rita Torres Baptista, the NOS Brand and Communication Senior VP, who shared the inside scoop on the festival's planning and goals.
It was an incredible opportunity, to see how the festival organisation works and to have a different perspective of all the hard work it takes to pull off such a huge event. It is overwhelming the amount of logistics and people that is needed to make the NOS Alive works so well, we are immensely grateful for the chance to be a part of it.
Let's dive into three remarkable reasons why NOS Alive is a festival you simply cannot miss.
Firstly, the lineup at NOS Alive'23 was nothing short of spectacular. The headliners alone were enough to blow your mind, with iconic acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith, and Queens of the Stone Age gracing the main stage. And they were just the tip of the iceberg.
With a total of 110 artists spread across seven stages, including talented performers like Men I Trust, Ana Lua Caiano, Bashment, Zé Maria, and Louisahhh, the festival truly had something for everyone. From day to night, the sound quality was impeccable, making each performance an unforgettable experience.
With a staggering attendance of 165,000 music lovers from over 80 different countries, NOS Alive was determined to cater to the diverse needs of its audience while aiming to have a strong stand when it comes to having an eco-friendly experience.
This leads us to the second reason to attend the festival: its commitment to sustainability within such a large festival.
NOS Alive has been championing the cause of zero waste for some time, but this year they took it a step further by implementing a program to compost organic waste, which was then used in the food areas. Moreover, everywhere you looked, brands offered sustainable activations and gifts.
It was truly impressive to witness such eco-friendly initiatives within the confines of such a massive event. NOS Alive proved that sustainability was a core value they held dear.
Now, let's talk about the third reason: the overall experience.
NOS Alive 23 prioritised attendee comfort and inclusivity, going above and beyond to create a memorable experience. They provided dedicated spaces for pregnant women and a child-friendly environment for families.
The venue's transformation into an immersive space covered in fake grass prevented dirt and offered additional seating. Rua do Fado, with its Palco Fado Café Stage, provided a cosy setting to enjoy traditional fado music, while nearby "little houses'' showcased brands specialising in beauty, lifestyle, and food, adding vibrancy to the festival.
The festival took care of its attendees by offering four food court areas with a diverse range of culinary options, including juicy hamburgers, hot dogs, vegetarian dishes, and delicious poke bowls. Sunscreen was readily available to ensure sun protection, and the NOS Alive staff even provided snacks for a rejuvenating experience on the way back home.
Seamless communication was a priority at NOS Alive'23. The festival implemented an extensive network infrastructure of 1,200 kilometres of fibre optics throughout the 11-hectare venue. They also placed mobile phone charging walls at strategic locations, ensuring visitors wouldn't miss capturing special moments due to drained batteries.
Lastly, the fourth and cherry on top surprise to the entire festival! We just had to shine light on the incredible performance from Queens of the Stone Age!
They wanted a banging comeback after the pandemic and they did just that, kicking off their performance with "No One Knows", with its manic, rhythmic swing and iconic riff vibrating through the crowd, taking full advantage of the stage.
No one was going to stop them from playing their souls out for however long they wanted and the crowd was all for it from start to end. It was truly a moment worth living for, especially the last song that captivated all of us, leaving us with nothing but pure euphoria.
If you're seeking an extraordinary festival experience that ticks all the boxes, mark NOS Alive on your calendar. You won't be disappointed. We can’t wait for next year, thank you NOS Alive!
If you enjoyed this article, you should check out other upcoming festivals here: Lisbon Guide: Summer Festivals 2023
