STRUCTURAL BRILLIANCE: DOME TENT IMPACT ON GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

The Glastonbury Festival is a prominent and renowned music festival held annually in Somerset and is one of the largest and most famous music festivals in the world.
In 2022, Event in a Tent were approached by Glastonbury Festival who were looking for a unique structure for their Glade Area, a space within the festival where music lovers can immerse themselves in a diverse range of music and experiences that may not be as mainstream as those found on the festival’s main stages.

The Challenge

The Glade Area often features unique stage designs, immersive art installations and a welcoming atmosphere for fans of alternative underground dance music and experimental sounds and is intended to be unique and nature-inspired to tie in well with the woodland.
Glade’s objective was to enhance and refresh the area, using more parts of the forest to create a social hub and additional stage area that would be both visually pleasing day and night. It had to be sustainably sourced, but also something that would work practically.

Solution

When approached by the Glade team, we knew instantly that our 15m Geodome Stage structure fitted the brief very well. Designed in-house by Event in a Tent director, Matt, our geodome has two formations – a full dome, or with a few adjustments and adding a truss, the dome can be transformed into a dome stage. The dome is available in 12m or 15m.
The exposed timber frame beams would work well in the woodland environment, highlighting the natural element of the Dome stage and the unique geodesic arrangement of the beams would enable the stage to stand out, adding to the overall alternative theme within the Glade.
The bright, polycotton cover would make the area very light in the daytime, whilst also effectively reflecting the multiple technicolour lighting effects at night.

Results

The Dome Stage was very well received by festivalgoers as a new addition to the Glade area and Glade Area Manager, Jon Savage, commented:
‘We had so many positive comments. A lot of people saying how it felt very “glade” and fitted in well into the space. Really pleased with how the dome went, positive public comments, positive reception from the artists performing – excited to hear any plans for Glasto 2023.’
Carly Wilford, a headlining performer at the Glade Dome stated: “The Glade Dome was by far the best stage I played on this summer. Not only the excellent sound but the beautiful canopies and the vibe that was created because of the Glade aesthetic”.
Lighting technician, Keanan Kruse commented that he particularly ‘loved doing the lights for the Glade Dome:
Queen of the Glade Dome, Ruth Royall, brought thousands of music-lovers to the area to enjoy incredible artists such as Carly Wilford, Danny Howard and Stanton Warriors. The Glade Dome brought exposure to the Glade Area, with mentions of the Dome from The Independent, Somerset County Gazette, Mojo Magazine, New York Post and more.

In conclusion, Event in a Tent’s collaboration with Glastonbury Festival to introduce the Dome Stage to the Glade Area proved to be a resounding success.
By seamlessly blending innovative design with the natural woodland surroundings, the Dome Stage provided a captivating and immersive experience for festivalgoers seeking alternative music and vibrant atmospheres.
The positive reception from both festivalgoers and performers emphasises the effectiveness of the Dome Stage in revitalising the Glade Area, serving as a social hub and additional stage space.
As we reflect on the impact of this event, it’s evident that the Dome Stage has not only met and exceeded expectations, but it also has left a lasting impression on the Glastonbury Festival. We would like to say a huge thank you to Glastonbury Festival for choosing us for the past two years and we look forward to working with you again this year!