Behind the Scenes: Festival Stage Setup

Setting up a festival stage is a big task and one that involves a lot of specialist equipment. Here’s a look at what goes on behind the scenes to get the show up and running, including some of the incredible fabrics used to bring performances to life.

Sound, Light and Pyrotechnics

The exact equipment requirements depend on the type of festival stage that is being set up, the size of the event and whether it is indoors or outdoors. Some of the key things to consider are:

• The stage itself – setting up a mobile stage that is strong, safe and reliable should be the primary concern for any festival event.
• Lighting – people need to see what’s going on, and the lighting makes a big difference to the experience. There are many types of lighting to consider, from spotlights to special effects, so a specialist lighting technician is essential.
• Sound – great audio sets the tone and improves the experience for the audience, and it needs to be loud enough for everyone to hear properly. This is hugely important for music festivals but also for theatrical performances.
• Pyrotechnics and special effects – depending on the production, you might need explosions, smoke, glitter cannons, confetti, fog and more. All are used to add drama, but ensuring safety is always essential.

Stage Fabrics You Can Use

As well as all the above, you might also need stage fabrics to further enhance the performance. There are so many you can choose from (see our full range here), each with different properties, colours and styles. So which ones should you use?

• Scenic Cotton Canvas is a plain weave and lightweight fabric that is very strong, and it is ideal for use in flexible applications. It also makes a perfect backdrop for any performance.
• Blackout Fabric creates a blackout when the lights are turned off, and it’s a great way to improve the experience and provide better transitions between bands and performances.
• Stage Felt is useful for deadening sound on the stage and insulating from heat, sound and vibration.
• Cotton Velvet Velour is a beautiful fabric that not only looks amazing but also masks light and sound.
• Bolton Twill is a patterned woven cloth that is often used for theatrical curtains and as a protective backing because the pattern helps to hide dust.

Plan Your Festival Stage Setup

These are a few of the most important considerations for your festival stage. No matter what type of event you are putting on, make sure you get the equipment right and always use professionals with experience of setting up stages and equipment.

Make sure you also take your time choosing the right fabric – and remember that we’re here to help if you need any advice.