MagicQ Consoles Were Everywhere at Glastonbury 2025
ChamSys lighting consoles were once again a prominent presence at Glastonbury Festival 2025, delivering spectacular light shows across many of the event’s most iconic stages. This year also saw the live debut of several new ChamSys hardware and software features, giving lighting designers and programmers a first-hand look at the latest tools in action—tested in one of the world’s most demanding live environments.
It wasn’t just hardware making its mark—new software features also took centre stage. Among the highlights was a live preview of MagicQ’s upcoming NDI integration, demonstrated on the Levels Stage in Silver Hayes, designed by James Newmarch of Refrakt Labs and supplied by SR Productions. The integration allowed real-time video feeds to be mapped directly into MagicQ’s pixel mapper. The house MQ500M+, with native output of 400 universes, handled the setup effortlessly throughout the festival. MagicQ’s NDI integration is scheduled for public release later this month.
On the touring side of Glastonbury, Group-Based Programming emerged as a standout MagicQ feature. For Brian Kelly, who ran the lighting for Caribou on an MQ250M supplied by Steve ‘Mac’ McCracken, it simplified adapting to the SWG Events house rig.
“MagicQ’s Group-Based Programming is the feature for programming,” said Kelly. “Patch in the house rig, update Groups and Palettes—and you’re done! No more worrying about fixture counts changing show to show. Cues and FX just work.”
Alongside the extensive use of MagicQ consoles, ChamSys GeNetix networking products were also deployed across the site. Since launching in 2024, the GeNetix range has rapidly become a go-to solution for robust data distribution in both touring and festival settings. In Silver Hayes, the GN4IP provided a weatherproof, distributed node setup ideally suited to Glastonbury’s unpredictable conditions—from heavy rain to dusty fields. Elsewhere, rack-mounted GeNetix nodes ensured reliable network infrastructure across areas including the Unfairground, Theatre & Circus, and Shangri-La.
A familiar sight across the site, ChamSys MagicQ Stadium consoles were heavily relied upon by both touring LDs and house crews. The 400-universe MQ500M+ was in action on numerous stages, used both as a house desk and a touring console. On the Woodsies Stage, Ed Warren lit performances for Four Tet and Lola Young using consoles supplied by LCR, while Joe Beardsmore brought his own Stadium console to deliver an immersive lighting design for Tom Odell, with the stage supported by Siyan and floor package by Coloursound Experiment. At The Park Stage, David Rossselected the MQ500M+ for Beth Gibbons’ atmospheric set.
MQ500M+ consoles also featured as house desks across a wide range of locations — from the Circus Big Top, where James Loudon crafted dynamic looks for aerial performers, to the Flying Bus Stage operated by GLX Lighting, and both the Lonely Hearts and Levels stages in Silver Hayes, supplied by SR Productions.
The compact yet powerful MQ250M Stadium consoles were also widely used. In addition to the Pyramid Stage opening ceremony, the MQ250M returned for the Kaiser Chiefs’ set with LD Jason Hyne, and was used by David Howard for multiple shows including Gary Numan on The Park Stage, Sam Ryder’s secret set at The Wishing Well, and Dhani Harrison on the Acoustic Stage. Coloursound Experiment deployed an MQ250M at the Glade Stage with Tom Whiteon controls, while additional MQ250Ms were found at Glasto Latino with Mass Affect Lighting, and The Hive Stagewith Luke Adams Lighting.
ChamSys Compact consoles also delivered impressive results in more intimate or unconventional spaces, including Carhenge (Ed Warren and Will Thomas), Glebeland (Enlightened), Left Field (SWG), and The Blind Tiger (GLX). In Shangri-La – Lore, Wolf Events deployed a Compact console, while Shangri-La – Azaadi was powered by a MagicQ MQ50 Compact Console.
While each stage brought its own technical challenges, ChamSys consoles once again proved their reliability, flexibility, and innovation in live control. Whether dealing with unpredictable weather, complex networking demands, or fast-moving show schedules, the ChamSys ecosystem delivered—helping to bring unforgettable shows to life at one of the world’s most legendary festivals.
