SWG Events Serve Up Big Feastival Sound With Martin Audio Wavefront Precision

The Big Feastival marked its 15th year at Blur bassist Alex James's Oxfordshire farm in 2026, with Basement Jaxx, The Streets and Bastille topping the bill. For the fourth year, the main stage was powered by Martin Audio, with an upgraded Wavefront Precision setup supplied by SWG Events.

"SWG Events have been the chosen 360 Production Partner for the festival since its inception 15 years ago," says SWG's Head of Projects, Joe Bailey. "Now as The Big Feastival, we've seen it grow organically with organisers always raising the bar, and 2026 was no exception."

The primary PA featured 12-per-side hangs of Martin Audio's WPL large-format arrays, with 12-per-side WPC compact arrays providing outfill. Low end came from a 14-strong cardioid broadside array of SXH218 subwoofers, while 12 WPS elements served as front fills.

"We upped the sub count this year just because the venue is getting bigger and bigger," explains Simon Purse, Head of Audio at SWG. "Both the additional quantity and the bridging gave us double the power - a massive increase in headroom that you can hear even at low levels."

Coverage and control in the main arena were further improved with a deployment of WPC delays. As Bailey explains, "The WPC delays gave us a more controlled, distributed system. We were able to improve audio quality at the back for the main arena whilst also providing us with a superior level of coverage control to help prevent spill to another venue - The Cheese Hub - at the rear of the arena."

The delay system comprised two hangs of eight WPC elements, each paired with a cardioid stack of three SXH218 subwoofers.

"With approximately 120m to the back of the arena and a wide diamond shape, control is the name of the game," says Purse. "We optimised the system using Martin Audio tools like Non-Audience and Hard Avoid to help control that clash between stages as best as possible, as well as giving everybody the maximum experience we can all the way to the outer perimeters."

Martin Audio's DISPLAY 3 prediction software enabled detailed venue modelling ahead of load-in. "We looked at the delay locations to make sure they gave us maximum range from the main hangs with the ultimate coverage control, without compromising headroom," adds Purse. "Similarly with the subwoofer array, we modelled that and steered it to best suit that diamond-shaped arena, giving us the width of the sub energy that we wanted. All of those things get fine-tuned on site, but it starts with the accuracy of Martin Audio's modelling."

On stage, monitoring included XE500 wedges, with sidefills comprising SXC118 subwoofers and TORUS T1230 constant curvature arrays.

The festival's accessibility focus was furthered with additional subwoofers for the accessible seating area. "Aside from the continued supply of an induction hearing loop on the viewing platform and IEMs for British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, new for 2026 was a deployment of Martin Audio SXC118 in the area," notes Bailey. "That localised low frequency reinforcement under the seating directly enhances that feel of sub energy for those that are hearing impaired."

Elsewhere, Martin Audio Blackline cabinets supported the Features/Fringe stages, while Stage 2 (The Outpost) used a ground-stacked configuration of WPM, SXH218 and SXC115, in partnership with trusted supplier Magnum PA.

"This is the fourth year Martin Audio has powered the main stage," Bailey concludes. "By further refining the deployment of Martin Audio Wavefront Precision we were able to deliver even better coverage, control and headroom, once again enhancing The Big Feastival audience experiences."

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Photo credit: Sam Gibson.