FAQ

  • The Festival

    • What is Sinsal SON Estrella Galicia?

      It is, above all, a music festival that takes place, over three days, on the island of Saint Simón (Redondela, Estuary of  Vigo). From the heart of the Rías Baixas we aim to offer a small sample of the most outstanding contemporary creation of the moment.

    • When was the Sinsal festival born?

      In 2003, the Galician promoter Sinsalaudio, responsible for organising the Sinsal SON Estrella Galicia Festival in Saint Simón, brought the first edition of the event to the city of Vigo with a series of concerts in various indoor venues in the city. Since 2012, as well as maintaining the local connection, the activity has moved to Saint Simón Island, where this unique and exceptional extension of the summer festival calendar takes place. In this link you can consult the historical archive of our events. 

    • Why is a festival for only 800 people so special?

      At a time of the year when so many musical events take place, Sinsal SON Estrella Galicia, one of the smallest festivals of the summer, has found its place among the most interesting. Much of the attention it receives is due to its appealing location: the archipelago formed by the islands of Saint Simón and Saint Antón. Around this Heritage Asset (BIC), we design a unique experience in the whole Iberian Peninsula. The day begins (and ends) with a boat trip along the Vigo estuary. On disembarking, the island of San Simón welcomes, for a few hours, artists and public from all over the world. 

    • Why organise a festival with a secret line-up?

      Despite the difficulties involved in communicating an event every year, discarding, previously, the promotion of its artists, the Sinsal organisers believe that this gesture reinforces an increasingly necessary message. We want to place the public at the centre of our programme and contribute to sustainable tourism - if that is possible - by highlighting the need to coexit with the territory at a slower speed. Our dream is to share our passion for music and experience the thrilling excitement of welcoming the unknown.

    • How do we organise the Sinsal line-up?

      In each edition we present new artists from Spain, Portugal and Galicia. Also, with the aim of reducing our carbon footprint, we share international artists with other similar festivals throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Finally, we complete the programme with an exclusive selection of proposals from all over the world that play in our festival for the first time in Spain or Galicia. Each of these phases make up a final line-up that is diverse in styles, sounds and cultures.

    • Are there different artists performing every day?

      Yes. In the case of repeating a performance, it will be communicated it in advance, but always without revealing the name of the band or artist. Throughout the stages located on the islands of Saint Simón and Saint Antón, the performances take place one after another. Each stage has its own schedules and, at the end of each concert, the audience moves to the next location. We only programme two artists at the same time due to the need to offer greater ‘intimacy’ with some of the proposals, and this only happens once per day.

    • What other activities does the festival have?

      The organisers have planned a series of activities with the aim of broadening and reinforcing your experience in San Simón: guided tours around the island, itineraries to discover the history of the archipelago, exhibitions, gastronomy, talks, acoustic concerts, sports and workshops shape our alternative cultural offer.

    • What is the Sinsal School?

      It is the educational project of the Sinsal festival focused on the recovery of the 20th century sound memory: It was created in 2006 and, until now, it has gone through different stages: the dissemination of disappeared formats, the presentation of objects that are part of the history of sound recording, music workshops with analogue players...etc. In each edition of the festival we offer the possibility of carrying out activities related to this exclusive proposal of Sinsal.

  • The stay on the island

    • What should I bring to Festival Sinsal SON Estrella Galicia?

      Check the weather before going to the festival. Don't forget that you are going to an island so the wind chill may drop the temperature a few degrees compared to the coast. If the weather is good, a hat or cap and sunscreen are appreciated. On the contrary, if rain threatens, a raincoat is a must. And in any case, the best advice we can give you is to always take a jacket or sweater with you. It is important to wear comfortable shoes, but without overlooking that the ground is uneven and there is a lot of vegetation: protect your feet and avoid beach shoes. And if you want to sit or lie on the ground, we recommend that you bring a towel or picnic blanket, for example.

      This year we encourage you to come with your REUSABLE FESTIVAL KIT; that is: a reusable glass from another festival, cloth napkin, picnic plate, fork and spoon for various uses. You must take all this material back home with you.

    • Is it necessary to bring water to the festival?

      On the island of Saint Simón there is drinking water in fountains and toilets, so we encourage you to bring your reusable glass.

      If you think the tap water is hot or you don't like its taste, we will provide you with free ice or lemon. And, if despite having drinking water, you decide to come with your water, remember that it must be in a plastic bottle and that at access control we can remove the cap for security reasons.

    • Can I bring food and drinks to the festival?

      During the festival there is a varied gastronomic offer that includes vegetarian and vegan options. However, you can come with your food – or non-alcoholic drink – with the following conditions:
      • Due to safety regulations, the bottles must be plastic and have a screw cap (which can be removed when accessing the island).
      • It is also forbidden to bring glass, metal, etc. containers into the festival.

      Notes:
      • If you are traveling with children or need access for any special items, please contact us.
      • If you have any food intolerance, we recommend that you bring your own food in case the festival offer is not to your taste.

    • Should I bring cash? Are there POS terminals?

      The official currency of the festival is the Nemo, which you can exchange for euros at the festival offices. During the day, and up to half an hour before the departure of your ferry (remember that you must show up at the pier 30 minutes in advance), you can exchange any remaining currency for euros. In addition, in all services we will have POS terminals in case you prefer to pay by card.

    • How is accessibility on the island?

      At Sinsal we work to make our festival an inclusive and accessible event. From the organization we are at your disposal and we will facilitate your stay in everything we can. However, if you need a specific service and have questions, please write to us at festival@sinsalaudio.org with the subject "ACCESSIBILITY" and we will contact you as soon as possible.

      If you are a person with reduced mobility, you should know:
      • The island has specific toilets in several buildings.
      • Although the ferry trip is guaranteed, it is important that you write us an e-mail to festival@sinsalaudio.org with the subject “ACCESSIBILITY”, because in some areas of the island, such as the pier or the bridge, the pavement is irregular. This information will allow us to help and collaborate in any possible way.
      • In most stages there are no visibility problems and we will always facilitate access to a preferential place.

    • Can I bring pets?

      No, except for guide dogs. Please write to us in advance at festival@sinsalaudio.org with the subject "ACCESSIBILITY" and we will contact you.

    • Can I swim on the island or arrive by boat?

      No, both are forbidden. This is an internal regulation of the island of Saint Simón.

    • Can I take photos or record videos during the festival?

      Taking photographs is permitted as long as they are taken without profit and protecting the right to privacy of the rest of the public.
      Note: if you want to cover the event, remember that you must first request your accreditation through the email prensa@sinsalaudio.org. 

    • Is there a lost property point? How can I get them back after the festival?

      Yes, in the administration offices during the festival. You can also write us an email to festival@sinsalaudio.org with the subject “LOST OBJECT”.

    • What do I have to do if I want to file a complaint?

      You can visit our offices during the festival and ask for a complaint form; but you can also send an email to festival@sinsalaudio.org with the subject ‘COMPLAINT’.

    • Haberá papeleiras nas que depositar os meus residuos e as miñas cabichas?

      Con Sinsal 2024 desaparecen as papeleiras da illa. Todos os residuos xerados polo festival recolleranse e separaranse nun único punto habilitado pola organización, pero a recollida e xestión de residuos alleos ao evento, como as cabichas, deben de saír da illa coas persoas que os xeren. 
  • #sinsalnotrace

    • What is #sinsalnotrace?

      It is an initiative with which we invite you to think about and participate when managing waste every time we leave the house: at the beach, in the mountains, at a festival, etc. It is based on the 3Rs theory: reduce, reuse, recycle. At Sinsal we apeal to a mutual commitment, a shared effort between the festival, the public and the collaborating organisations and sponsors for the benefit of the environment and people

    • How can I participate?

      We encourage you to come to the festival with your reusable FESTIVAL KIT; that is: a glass, cloth napkin, picnic plate, fork and spoon for various uses (as long as they are not made of glass or metal). You must take all this material back, wash it at home and leave it ready for your next outing. We know that, at first, this practice may seem silly, but we are sure that, in time, this kit will become part of our personal travel items.

    • What is the festival-goer's handbook of good practice?

      • Whenever possible, use public transport or carpool to the port of embarkation.
      • Avoid carrying objects and materials that cannot be reused. For example: replace cling film, plastic bags or aluminum foil with a tupperware. If it is not possible, take that waste back because it is your “property”.
      • If we take ‘waste’ with us when we travel, it is our responsibility to manage and recycle it at home. Every summer, we find the usual sight on our beaches or in our ports of embarkation: litter bins overflowing with packaging. If we want to ensure separate recycling, the only solution is to do it at home. Remember: avoid single-use materials and, if this is not possible, take responsibility for their recycling management.   
      • Bring your own reusable tableware (glass, cutlery, plate, napkin, etc.) as long as it is not made of glass or metal. Remember that, due to safety regulations, it is not allowed to bring reusable bottles with caps on the island.
      •  If you don't want or can't bring your tableware to the festival, request ours. You must leave a deposit that you can recover by returning the objects to Point R up to half an hour before the departure of your boat.
      • Don't carry with plastic water bottles. Instead, put a glass you have around the house in your backpack. It is more comfortable and you can, for example, drink water from the fountains on the island. You can count on us if you want ice or a slice of lemon. On the Sinsal map you will find the drinking water points.
      • Turn off the tap when washing your hands or filling your glass with drinking water.
      • Consume responsibly. If you have leftover food, share it or take it back home.
      • If you smoke, use the designated areas and make sure not to throw cigarette butts on the ground. Travel with your portable ashtray and empty it at home.
      • Leave the place as clean and tidy as you found it. Let's leave #sinsalnotrace.

    • What is Point R?

      They aren't rubbish bins on the island. The waste we generate from the festival itself will be collected and separated at a single point, called Point R (Punto R). In this space we will also collect the glasses, plates and other reusable objects used during the festival.

      Remember that each person is responsible for their waste. We will take care of ours and each person attending the festival should do the same (whenever possible) with the things brought from home. In practice, we will also manage those that come from outside with the same enthusiasm and commitment, but remember: the sooner we change certain practices, the sooner we will reduce this senseless waste.