The 2023 edition of Sfinks Mixed kicked off on Thursday in Boechout, Antwerp Province and, in addition to a bevy of Belgian and international artistes, the four-day music festival also boasts the world's largest solar panel installation.
A project by energy platform Bolt, the installation fits into a large truck and includes 104 solar panels that can be unfolded, plus a battery to manage peak consumption. It can power events with green energy while also having a highly visual presence to raise awareness on sustainability.
Throughout Sfinks Mixed, it will be responsible for powering the information stand, 'Silent Disco' stage and 'Kids Zone.' As far as possible, the rest of the festival will be connected to the electricity grid, for which Bolt says it will use green energy.
Overall, Bolt promises that half of the energy consumed at Sfinks Mixed will be renewable.
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The world's largest mobile solar panel installation[/caption]
As always, this year's edition of Sfinks Mixed features music from all over the world, and admission is free. The rainy weather may deter some potential festival-goers, but organisers are still hoping for a packed edition.
The opening day's programme features Bart Peeters and his regular band De Ideale Mannen as well as Sahad, the “Senegalese James Brown,” who combines a wide range of genres.
On the DJ stage, festival-goers will be able to see Papa Mojito and Lady S in action, among others. The following days will see singer Salif Keïta, reggae and dancehall icon Tanya Stephens and the “Queen of Afropop,” Nigeria’s Yemi Alade, take to the podium.
The festival ends on 30 July.
