“Wheels of Madness” – A fan’s inspirational story to the main stage at Sziget Festival
Striving to continually stretch it’s arms widely across inclusivity, Sziget invite you to cast your mind back to the closing moments of this year’s festival instalment. Triumphant and ecstatic scenes were transmitted around the globe, as fireworks erupted through the sky as the legendary Foo Fighters played a storming set to a packed crowd of adoring fans.
Prior to launching into an unforgettable rendition of their classic track “Everlong” FF frontman Dave Grohl points out one lucky fan, imploring the crowd to bring him to the stage. Between choruses Dave Grohl shouted across the sea of people
“He’s the fucking star of the show, right there!”.
The overjoyed fan (and his wheelchair in tow) were lifted into the hands of the audience, as he made his way to the stage to end the set with a guitar-smashing finale.
Prior to news of this unforgettable moment travelling around the world, an independent film crew had journeyed to Sziget to find out more about the star of the show, creating this heart-warming mini- documentary “Wheels Of Madness”.
As it turns out, our crowd surfing, guitar smashing protagonist is 33 year old Gal Mizrachi (AKA Gal Festival).
A multimedia teacher from Tel Aviv, he has been attending Sziget every year for the past five years and intends to continue to do so. We discover more about his festival experience and how it has changed his life for the better:
Gal explains: “Sziget has changed my life. It’s my favourite festival and my favourite place on earth. It has taught me a lot about myself and about humanity, kindness, friendships and extended my music awareness to different artists from all over the world. It has proved to me that limitations only exist inside our minds. I’m a better person and a better friend because of Sziget. Thank you! “
Sziget continue to prioritise their inclusive focused approach, ensuring that “Szitizens” from all backgrounds can enjoy all that the festival has to offer
During the festival’s seven day duration, set on the Island of Freedom, 530,000 festival goers internationally united from all over the world from New Zealand to Brazil experienced music, theatre, comedy and workshops from performers, artists and speakers from over 62 different countries.
With top charting `z`artists appearing across the week including Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Martin Garrix, Richard Ashcroft, 6LACK, Macklemore, James Blake, The National, Mura Masa, Post Malone, Years & Years, Jungle, Florence & The Machine, Catfish & The Bottlemen and the Foo Fighters (to name but a few).