2025 marked an exciting milestone for Audioserv as we provided professional audio production at Glastonbury Festival, one of the world's most recognised music festivals.
Our team was responsible for supplying and operating the sound systems at Wishing Well, a unique venue located in the festival's Park area.
Unlike a conventional festival stage, Wishing Well features two very different performance spaces. An intimate indoor live music stage sits inside a tent that also serves as the venue's bar, while a larger outdoor area provides space for DJs to entertain the crowds.
With live bands and DJs sharing the venue throughout the festival, the challenge was to design a professional sound system that could deliver excellent audio quality in both areas while allowing the entertainment to move seamlessly between them.
Our solution combined Funktion-One Vero VX loudspeaker systems, Allen & Heath dLive digital mixing, professional stage monitoring and carefully configured audio routing to create a flexible setup capable of handling the venue's varied programme.
Two Performance Areas, One Integrated Audio System
One of the most interesting aspects of the Wishing Well production was having two separate performance areas operating as part of the same venue.
Inside the tent, the stage hosted live bands and performers throughout the festival. Outside, DJs provided the soundtrack for the larger audience area.
Although each area had its own dedicated sound system, we wanted both to work together rather than operate completely independently.
This was particularly important during artist changeovers.
With only one main performance taking place at a time, we could keep music playing outdoors while bands were soundchecking inside.
The challenge was ensuring the soundcheck remained separate from the outdoor audience system until the band was ready to perform.
To achieve this, we designed an integrated audio system using our Allen & Heath dLive digital mixing equipment.
This allowed our engineers to route the appropriate audio signals between the indoor and outdoor systems while maintaining the correct time alignment.
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Allen & Heath dLive Audio Mixing and Routing
The Allen & Heath dLive system played an important role in making the production work smoothly.
Rather than treating the indoor live stage and outdoor DJ area as entirely separate installations, we configured the digital mixing system to allow audio to be routed between both areas.
This meant we could send the live band's audio from inside the tent to the outdoor Funktion-One system when required.
Equally, music from the outdoor DJ area could be fed back into the indoor system.
The flexibility of the dLive platform allowed our engineers to manage these changes without interrupting the entertainment.
For example, while a band was preparing for its next performance, the outdoor DJ could continue playing to the audience.
Our engineers could then remove the live stage feed from the outdoor PA while soundchecking the band inside.
Once the soundcheck was complete and the band was ready to perform, the appropriate signals could be routed back through the system.
This arrangement meant the music could continue throughout the changeovers, keeping the atmosphere going without unnecessary breaks.
It was a practical solution that made excellent use of the available equipment while simplifying the operation of two connected performance areas.
Funktion-One Vero VX for the Indoor Live Stage
For the indoor live stage, we selected our Funktion-One Vero VX sound system.
The venue's tent presented some interesting challenges because the system needed to provide good coverage not only around the stage but also towards the rear of the tent and into the bar area.
We installed a single Funktion-One Vero VX cabinet per side for the main mid-high coverage.
Low-frequency reproduction was handled by Funktion-One F121 subwoofers, arranged in a broadside cardioid configuration.
This arrangement helped us control the distribution of low-frequency sound while providing the performance needed for the live acts.
To extend coverage towards the back of the tent, we also installed a pair of flown passive Turbosound loudspeakers.
These were carefully time-aligned with the main Funktion-One system to provide additional coverage towards the rear of the bar area.
By using a combination of main loudspeakers, subwoofers and time-aligned additional speakers, we could achieve more consistent coverage throughout the unusual space.
You can find out more about our Funktion-One sound system hire services for festivals, live music and outdoor events.
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Professional Stage Monitoring and Microphone Equipment
With a programme featuring different live bands and performers, stage monitoring was another important part of the production.
We supplied a comprehensive microphone package designed to accommodate a wide range of instruments and performance requirements.
This included both large-diaphragm and small-diaphragm condenser microphones, alongside the professional dynamic microphones typically used for live music production.
Having a varied microphone inventory available meant our engineers could select suitable microphones for the different performers without being restricted to a single approach.
For stage monitoring, we supplied eight d&b audiotechnik M4 monitor wedges.
Seven wedges were available for the performers on stage, while the eighth was positioned in the front-of-house mixing area as a listening wedge.
Because monitor mixes were being managed from the front-of-house position, the additional listening wedge allowed our engineer to check and adjust the monitor signals being sent to the performers.
This helped us provide the monitoring flexibility required for a busy festival stage with frequent artist changeovers.
Funktion-One Vero VX for the Outdoor DJ Area
While the indoor system was designed primarily for live music, the outdoor DJ stage had a different set of requirements.
The larger audience area needed a powerful sound system capable of providing consistent coverage across the outdoor space.
We selected another Funktion-One Vero VX system, using three Vero VX cabinets per side.
These were mounted on Audioserv's own bespoke steel ground-stack structures, which we designed and manufactured in-house.
Our experience in manufacturing engineering and steel fabrication allows us to develop practical mounting and support solutions for demanding event environments.
The outdoor system was supported by four Funktion-One F124 subwoofers, arranged together in a vertically stacked monoblock configuration.
This provided the low-frequency performance required for the DJ performances while allowing our engineers to configure the system for the venue's layout.
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Controlling Low-Frequency Coverage
An interesting aspect of the outdoor system was the way we configured the F124 subwoofers.
Rather than simply stacking the subwoofers and running them all with identical processing, we applied a small delay to the lower cabinets.
This helped minimise unwanted upward steering of low-frequency energy towards other parts of the festival site.
At large outdoor events, controlling where sound travels can be just as important as achieving the required volume and coverage.
Careful configuration of the subwoofer array allowed us to improve the way the bass was distributed around the audience area.
The outdoor Wishing Well space had previously experienced difficulties achieving sufficient sound coverage throughout the audience area.
With the Funktion-One Vero VX system and F124 subwoofer configuration, we were able to deliver impressive coverage across the space.
The results were particularly noticeable during the DJ performances, with people dancing right across the street.
For our engineers, it was satisfying to see the system delivering the coverage the venue needed while maintaining the sound quality we expect from Funktion-One equipment.
You can explore the different professional sound systems we supply on our PA system brands and sound system hire page.
Keeping the Music Running Throughout the Festival
One of the main objectives of the production was ensuring that the entertainment continued throughout the day and evening.
With live bands performing inside the tent and DJs entertaining the outdoor audience, managing the transition between the two areas was essential.
The integrated Allen & Heath dLive system gave our engineers the flexibility to handle these changes efficiently.
Bands could prepare and soundcheck while music continued outside, and the live performance could then be distributed to both systems when required.
It was an excellent example of how careful audio system planning can make a complicated production considerably easier to operate.
Rather than relying on separate systems with limited interaction, we created an arrangement that allowed the entire venue to function as one coordinated production.
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Satellite Internet Connectivity at Glastonbury
One of the less obvious challenges of working at a major festival like Glastonbury is maintaining reliable communication.
With such a large number of people attending the festival, mobile data networks can become extremely congested.
This can make even relatively simple tasks difficult, particularly when reliable internet access is needed for essential services.
To overcome this, we brought our own satellite internet connection to the Wishing Well site.
This provided connectivity for our production requirements while also allowing us to allocate some of the available bandwidth to the bar's payment card machines.
The network was configured by our IT specialist from the Audioserv office in Leeds.
By dividing the available bandwidth between the different requirements, we could provide a practical solution that supported both the technical production and the venue's day-to-day operation.
It's a good example of how event production often involves much more than simply supplying sound systems and lighting equipment.
From audio engineering and equipment installation to networking and communication, successful festival production requires different technical disciplines to work together.
A Successful First Year at Glastonbury Festival
Providing audio production at Glastonbury Festival for the first time was a fantastic experience for the Audioserv team.
The Wishing Well venue presented an interesting combination of technical challenges, from managing two separate performance areas to achieving consistent sound coverage and keeping everything connected throughout the festival.
Our Funktion-One Vero VX systems provided the main audio coverage for both the indoor and outdoor stages, while the Allen & Heath dLive system allowed the entertainment to move smoothly between them.
The combination of professional equipment, careful system design and experienced engineers helped us deliver a flexible production suited to the venue's unusual requirements.
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Professional Festival Sound System Hire and Event Production
At Audioserv, we've been supplying professional sound systems and technical event production services for more than 20 years.
Our team works on a wide range of productions, including music festivals, outdoor events, live performances, club nights and corporate events throughout Leeds, Yorkshire and across the UK.
We specialise in designing sound systems that suit the individual requirements of each event.
From smaller live music stages to large-scale festival sound systems, we can help with equipment selection, audio system design, professional engineering and on-site operation.
Our equipment inventory includes Funktion-One, d&b audiotechnik, EAW, RCF, Turbosound and other leading professional audio manufacturers.
Whether you need a complete festival production package or a professional sound system for an individual stage, we can provide equipment and technical expertise tailored to your requirements.
Find out more about our complete event production services or contact Audioserv to discuss your next event.
