Eden Sessions 2008
Every year the Eden Project puts on a series of outdoor events known as the Eden Sessions. Every year they get bigger and better, attracting larger audiences and more great acts. It’s full credit to the Eden team who work hard all year round to ensure this celebration of people and music creates lasting memories for so many visitors.
The Sensory Trust has worked with Eden for the last three years to ensure the Sessions are a truly inclusive experience. We have built on observations from previous years, invited visitor feedback and worked with the onsite staff to get all the necessary detail in place. Inclusive design should be seamless and go almost unnoticed which is the approach we have taken for the Sessions.
We have worked with many teams at Eden to cover the whole experience that a concert-goer will have when attending a Session. From the minute you sit down at home (or down the pub) and decide to go, right through to getting you back out of the site at the end of the night after you have seen your favourite band or comedy act in the most amazing venue. Eden and Sensory Trust have worked to get everything in place to make sure everyone can attend the Sessions. Having access volunteers available to help people get around, comfortable spaces for assistance dogs, balloons to feel the music for people with hearing impairments, and using symbols on the drinks signage to make ordering easier are just a few of the big and small changes we have made to the experience over the years.
It is important to say that this level of detail would not have been achieved had we not had the help of many individuals and organisations who worked with us to respond to the needs of the people they represent. A special mention of thanks goes to Disability Cornwall, Link into Learning and Widgit Software for their continued support throughout the project.
The line-up this year was again outstanding. Starting with The Verve, a welcome return for the band who provided us with some timeless classics and what looks to be a really exciting new album. Eden is always a magical venue and The Verve were no exception to this magic. They began to play Lucky Man just as it had got dark and the bright lights from the stage gently reflected on the falling rain making the whole place sparkle as everyone in the crowd sang along. Spine tingling.
Then it was The Raconteurs. It was great to have a full-on rock band making their guitars scream to the back drop of lit up biomes in the bottom of a pit in Cornwall.
Then Eden tried something a little different for this year, a comedian. Bill Bailey came to Eden and gave an outstanding performance in only the way he can. With the addition of big screens to help see those facial gestures he blew the crowd away.
We were then visited by a little band called Kaiser Chiefs. The crowd responded well, singing all the hits very loudly with lots of hands in the air. The band had so much energy, giving an electrifying performance which included the singer running into the crowd to sing from the wheelchair viewing platform.
To draw the Sessions to a close we had the lovely KT Tunstall who gave her own unique performance which worked a treat at Eden. KT is well known for being a bit of an eco warrior and was so at home at Eden the night was a joy from start to finish.
It’s important to mention the fantastic support acts that also graced Eden this year, such as The Guillemots, Sons and Daughters, Vampire Weekend and The White Lies. Eden has also developed a real festival atmosphere with unexpected entertainment in different corners of the site. Many people get to Eden early to have a good look round which is well worth doing as they discover things like the incredible Eden Choir in the Mediterranean Biome.
The end of the Sessions leaves me feeling incredibly proud of all the
hard work put in by the Eden team as I have been witness to people having
those unforgettable nights that live events create. They really are something
special. It also leaves me feeling slightly sad that they are all over
for another year. If you have been you will know what I’m talking
about. If you haven’t been, then come next year! Eden has assured
us the Sessions will be back and who knows who will be coming? More great
acts, more accessible and more welcoming than ever. There’s everything
to look forward to!
Eden Project No. 1 | News | Hahnemann Court consultation – Sunderland
Registered Charity No. 1020670. Company limited by guarantee No. 02811046
© 2008 Sensory Trust