Function-One unveils top-notch audio performance at Glastonbury Festival's The Glade Stage, claimed to be their best yet.
In the heart of Glastonbury Festival, The Glade Stage once again showcased a sonic marvel in 2025, thanks to Funktion-One's innovative sound system. Tony Andrews, the founder of Funktion-One, described the setup as "probably the best sonic experience of my life."
At the core of the setup was Funktion-One's medium-format, vertically arrayable loudspeaker system, Vero VX. Seven VX90s were positioned on each side for the main FOH system, with additional VX90s used for out-fills and delays. The Vero VX provided extraordinary clarity, midrange presence, and dynamic range, catering to live bands, vocalists, and DJs with ease.
For bass frequencies, a monoblock of F124s was dedicated to delivering deep, resonant tones. The setup included a block of 18 F124s in a cardioid configuration as the main bass stack, with additional F124s used as bass fills and delays.
A column of newly upgraded F132s was used for sub-bass on one side of the stage. Tony Andrews, in his pursuit of perfection, made improvements to the suspension of the F132s, enhancing their control and performance, making them "a different beast now."
The setup also featured Funktion-One's signature asymmetric bass configuration, a hallmark of their innovative sound systems. This configuration, combined with the Vero VX system, provided a seamless and immersive sonic experience, praised for its clarity and depth even at high volumes.
From a technical standpoint, the FOH system was managed using two SSL Live L550 Plus consoles, with a Yamaha DM3 for announcements and auxiliary playback. The sound system's performance was described as "probably the best sonic experience" by Tony Andrews, highlighting its ability to deliver unforced and consistent sound at high volumes.
The 2025 Glade Stage setup was noteworthy for its improved sound quality and reduced unwanted sound spill, improving audience experience and minimizing impact on neighboring stages. Members of the crowd, artists, and crew all praised the sound quality, according to Luke Piper, the organiser of the Glade area. Even the cafe and bar staff, who work throughout the event, were impressed by the sound quality of the 2025 Glade Stage.
Tony Andrews has been involved with the sound at Glastonbury since the first edition in 1971. In 1992, he founded Funktion-One and introduced the Experimental Soundfield dance area to Glastonbury, in collaboration with electronic music group Underworld. Funktion-One has provided the audio equipment for Glastonbury's The Glade Stage for the past 15 years.
With its state-of-the-art sound system, The Glade Stage at Glastonbury 2025 set a new standard for live music experiences, offering an unparalleled sonic journey to festival-goers.
- The collaboration between Tony Andrews and Funktion-One resulted in the use of their cutting-edge technology, such as the Vero VX system and F132s, at the Glade Stage of Glastonbury 2025, providing an extraordinary audio experience for live bands, vocalists, DJs, and festival-goers.
- In addition to the clear and dynamic sound provided by the Vero VX system, the setup featured Funktion-One's innovative asymmetric bass configuration, enhancing the overall sonic experience, offering a seamless and immersive journey in the realm of entertainment and music.
