Robe catches the spirit of Glastonbury 2023
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These were the spectacular fire-breathing Arcadia Spider 360-degree arena, the eclectic Park Stage, one of the most popular Glasto zones, and the BBC Introducing stage.
Theresa Gibson, head of marketing at Robe UK comments: “The magic of Glastonbury Festival never fails to disappoint, and this year was no different.
“Fields of back-to-back live music, dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and contemporary art forms filled the sunny skies of Worthy Farm for miles on end. As one of the biggest events in the global festival calendar, we were excited once again to have a series of our latest fixtures deployed on key stages across the site, including Robe’s new IP rated iPointes and iSpiiders - a first for the Arcadia Spider, one of the most-loved stages and Glasto landmarks.
“It was brilliant to be back onsite working with the fantastic Arcadia team and the SWG Events crew - technical provider for the Park Stage - and catch some of the new talent at BBC Music Introducing, both of which featured a variety of Robe fixtures including the highly popular LEDBeam 350s and a Glasto debut for the TetraX for alt-J’s set on the Park Stage.
“Reuniting with industry friends and colleagues both old and new down in the fields of fun is all part of the very special magic and memory-making that the event delivers every time.”
Arcadia’s lighting rig was designed by Dave Cohen from design studio MIRRAD and co-ordinated by Arcadia’s technical manager, Katie Davies. New this year were nine Robe iSpiiders and nine iPointes, used together with 12 additional standard Pointes ensconced in the giant arachnid’s legs and six more on its belly, all ideally placed for producing mind-bending dancefloor effects in the space below.
In addition to these Robe luminaires, approximately 80 custom Anolis LED architectural fixtures are inbuilt into the Spider’s metalwork, located in the legs, face, eyes, eyebrows, body, inside the DJ booth, and in the belly, all run by remotely located Anolis ArcPower drivers.
The Arcadia lighting and SFX crew comprised Matty O’Toole - SFX pump operator (Diesel Weasel), Jeb Hawkins - production manager & head of power, Rhi Pallister - power, Jack Barlow - Robe NRG, Charlie Knight, Jack Coffin, Nat Archer and Rupert De-Renzy Martin - lighting techs, Louie Hodgson - Saturday night covering LD / operator, Katie Davies - technical manager, Dave Cohen - LD, Stu Barr - dimmer tech, Tim Steer - FOH manager, Tom Rush - SFX manager, Lucas White - SFX operator, Nathan Purcell (SXF intern) and Sian Mole - lighting intern.
The Park stage production lighting spec included 32 x Robe LEDBeam 350s, 12 x Spiider LED wash beams, and 12 x MegaPointes among other lights, designed by Mat Spencer who was also the lighting crew chief, with the kit delivered by SWG Events, long term technical provider to this lively environment.
The BBC introducing stage is another busy area for which SWG Events has supplied technical production for over 10 years. Mat Spencer again designed lighting this year, programmed by Callam Thom and operated by him and Peter Doyle. Joe Bailey project managed and co-ordinated all things SWG.
The production lighting design incorporated more Robe moving lights, with 12 x LEDBeam 150s, 12 x LEDBeam 350s - all chosen for their small size and powerful impact - plus six Pointes and four PATT2013s.
