In the heart of Oxfordshire’s countryside, Wilderness Festival has become a landmark of creativity — a celebration of music, art, and ideas. For its 2025 edition, organisers took a bold new approach, appointing RG Jones to deliver professional audio across all six major performance areas. The result: a powerful, unified sound experience — and a 75% reduction in off-site noise complaints compared to the previous year.

A Unified Approach to Festival Audio

Previously managed by multiple suppliers, the 2025 event called for a single, coordinated solution. RG Jones was tasked with designing and delivering complete audio systems for the Main Stage, The Atrium, The Valley, The Forum, The Books Tent, and The House of Sublime.

Each environment posed unique acoustic and logistical challenges — from the open-air Main Stage hosting major artists to The Forum’s spoken-word sessions and comedy. The goal was simple but demanding: deliver consistent quality across vastly different spaces without compromising control or community relations.

Precision Engineering Across Six Stages

Led by Mark Edwards, Rylan Machin, and Damian Dyer, the RG Jones engineering team designed site-specific systems built around Martin Audio technology — chosen for its clarity, coverage consistency, and environmental control.

Key deployments included:

• Main Stage: Martin Audio MLA, MLX, MLA-Compact & DD12
• The Atrium: MLA-Compact, MLA-Mini, MLX & DD12
• The Valley: WPS, SXCF118, MLX, TORUS & iKON iK42
• The House of Sublime: WPS, SXCF118, DD6 & iKON iK42
• The Forum: Flexpoint FP12, DD6 & iKON iK42
• The Books Tent: Flexpoint FP12 & iKON iK42

All systems were managed through Outline Newton, Prodigy MP, and Martin Audio DISPLAY software, ensuring fine-grained control over every zone.

Technical Challenges and Smart Solutions

The Main Stage demanded high SPL levels for audiences of up to 30,000 — without spill affecting workshops or smaller tents elsewhere on site. Precise system mapping and optimisation allowed for maximum punch within the arena while maintaining tight off-axis control.

In The Valley, the team overcame complex terrain and an irregular layout using ten strategically placed delay positions, preserving clarity deep into the crowd area while keeping sound focused where it mattered.

Results That Speak Volumes

Careful design, measurement, and collaboration paid off. Compared to 2024, off-site noise complaints fell by 75%, reflecting the impact of a disciplined and data-driven approach to system management.

Why It Matters

For any festival, audio quality isn’t just about what the audience hears — it’s about how the event coexists with its surroundings.RG Jones’ approach demonstrated that innovation, experience, and environmental sensitivity can align to create a more sustainable model for live sound at scale.

At a Glance