GLASTONBURY
SOUND
A bespoke audio solution for the unique stage was provided by Britannia
Row Productions. The Arcadia team has worked with L-Acoustics for a
number of years, and following a recommendation from the loudspeaker
manufacturer, Britannia Row was appointed as the 2019 audio rental
supplier of choice.
“This was our first year working with Britannia Row and, right from the
outset, we were ver y impressed with their knowledge and consummate
professionalism,” Cameron-Marlow commented. “Whilst working through
non-standard applications and system usage, their team were flexible,
creative and always on point.”
Britannia Row’s Marc Soame said: “The new stage is a real centrepiece
and sets a great platform for future expansion of the show. Audio is a key
component of any Arcadia show, and the production team are well versed
in audio design and its considerations for being able to provide a high-
quality experience for eager audiences.
“The Arcadia team is incredibly creative and forward-thinking, but also
ver y practically minded. They’ve refined their approach over a number of
years with the development of the previous stages and wanted to retain a
similar approach for 2019 as it was a proven model.”
The main tower systems were inwards-facing L-Acoustics K2/ KS28,
with localised outward-facing flown ARCS II on the crane and X12/ KS28
for coverage under the crane – all powered by LA12X. This design was
crucial to maximising the audio quality throughout and minimising any
overlapping sound sources.
Britannia Row also provided the control package including console,
RF and IEMs, as well as DJ equipment and the monitoring system, all
safeguarded with a fully redundant fibre-optic drive system and redundant
control package. The Britannia Row crew at Arcadia included main PAsystem engineer Terrance Hulkes and rig/de-rig technician Jacopo Fois,
who worked alongside Matt Howes and Arcadia’s in-house audio team.
Although this year’s Glastonbur y has come to an end, the stor y of
Pangea is just beginning. In fact, the mission statement for this year,
which was plastered all over Arcadia marketing materials, social media
and website, was simple: ‘This year – step inside Pangea and unleash your
imagination. Next year – get involved.’
In short, the team want to hear ever yone’s ideas about where they can
take the show next – be that from an industr y peer or even a punter from
the field. As soon as the gates opened on the Friday of Glastonbur y, the
team opened a link on its website that let people suggest how they would
like to see the show evolved next year. While speaking to Rush, Cole and
Cameron-Marlow, they were delighted to report that the inbox was already
brimming with ideas coming from a collection of people and the notepads
had already been out jotting down ideas.
Rush gave his final thoughts on this year’s event. “It was a challenge to
take a step back from the Spider shows but a necessar y one. By the time
the festival was over, ever yone was brimming with ideas. Now we can really
start to push the boundaries of how we can continue to take over the sky.
I’m excited where we will take this next.”
TPi
Photos: Shot Away, Lukonic Photography and Charlie Ravem
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