Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza – RG Jones Returns in 2025
Returning in 2025, RG Jones will once again provide high-performance sound for the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza — an atmospheric one-night concert held within the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. In 2025, headline act The Script leads the lineup, supported by performances from Freya Ridings, Steve Whalley Band, and the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society. The evening concludes—of course—with fireworks.
The Abbey’s unique ruins—its listed medieval architecture and open-air acoustics—demand an audio design both powerful and respectful. Audiences bring picnic blankets, savour evening performances, and exit as a firework spectacular lights the sky.
Sound That Respects the Ruins
Across 2023–2024, RG Jones refined a setup that suits the site’s irregular geometry and heritage atmosphere.
Typical system deployments include:
- Main PA: MLA arrays configured for focused coverage
- Delays and Outfills: MLA Compact and TORUS units strategically placed for evening light and sound balance
- Control: DiGiCo / Yamaha consoles for FOH and monitoring
- Power: Silent generator systems ensuring clean supply and minimal disturbance
Acoustic models are prepared in advance, factoring in site slope, proximity to town, and the Abbey’s reflective stone walls. All hardware is flown or staged sensitively to preserve sightlines and the site’s historic character.
“There’s something special about working in a place like Glastonbury Abbey — it’s about more than great sound; it’s about honouring the space. Our goal each year is to make the performance feel powerful yet intimate, ensuring every note sits comfortably within the natural acoustics of the ruins.”
— Sam Thomas, Project Manager, RG Jones Sound Engineering
Why We Come Back
RG Jones has supported Abbey events for years, working with artists across classical and contemporary genres: from Jools Holland and Van Morrison to orchestral ensembles. The focus is always on delivering immersive sound—with zero compromise to site safety, heritage preservation, or audience experience.
This returning role reflects our ongoing commitment to both creative production and cultural heritage.
Project at-a-Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Client / Event: | Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza 2025 |
| Challenge: | Deliver high-impact, high-fidelity sound across an open-air heritage site with strict SPL limits and challenging acoustics — ensuring clarity, coverage, and respect for the Abbey’s historic environment. |
| Scope of Work: | Designed and deployed a site-wide MLA system using MLA, MLA Compact, and TORUS arrays, supported by DiGiCo and Yamaha consoles and Outline Newton processing. Acoustic modelling and system configuration tailored to preserve sightlines, ambience, and the Abbey’s medieval architecture. |
| Result: | Immersive, precisely balanced sound for audiences of over 10,000, maintaining the event’s signature atmosphere of elegance and celebration within one of the UK’s most iconic heritage venues. |