GLASTONBURY 2025- SILVER HAYES
MAGICAL MUSHROOM COMPANY® AND SILVER HAYES PARTNER TO DELIVER NEW TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN SOUND AT THE 2025 GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL
BRAND NEW SUNFLOWER SOUND SYSTEM
Silver Hayes, Glastonbury’s original dance music arena, has undergone a comprehensive sound system transformation for 2025, led by UK electronic artist Floating Points.
The result is the introduction of six colossal new speaker stacks forming the Sunflower Sound System; inspired by some of the finest sound environments from around the world.
To complement this technical overhaul, Silver Hayes partnered with Magical Mushroom Company® to develop a groundbreaking acoustic treatment system using a mycelium-based composite. This material has been proven to match the acoustic performance of conventional, synthetic materials while offering an environmentally regenerative alternative.
"THE FIRST KNOWN USE OF MYCELIUM-BASED ACOUSTIC TREATMENT IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT"
THE PROBLEM
FINDING A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL SOUND ABSORPTION SYSTEMS
High-performance acoustic treatments used in live music venues are typically manufactured from materials with long-term environmental costs. With Silver Hayes’ mission to continually improve sound quality while embracing future-facing design, the team sought a solution that could:
• Match the acoustic performance of traditional materials
• Be fully biodegradable and responsibly sourced
• Offer visual impact and contribute to the overall venue design
• Be validated by testing in line with internationally recognised acoustic standards
The challenge was clear: create an effective acoustic absorption solution that performs to the same standards as conventional systems but does so without compromising on sustainability.
THE SOLUTION
COMPOSTABLE MUSHROOM® PACKAGING BASED ACOUSTIC DISCS
Building on research by Samuel Fitzgerald Kay, whose Masters research at NMITE conducted with MMC explored the acoustic properties of mycelium, supported a testing programme in collaboration with Salford Acoustic Laboratory, assisted by Andy Booth of ASM Tech and MMC Head of Prototyping Ben Heasman.
Nestled inside this audio wonderland are 25 giant mycelium and hemp acoustic discs (yes, two metres each!) with the design led by Paul Gilligan, Ryan Little and Chris Marshall at MMC. Denny Moyers drew inspiration from the shape of the Sunflower Sound System lenses for the repeat pattern that runs through the discs.
The Mushroom® Packaging segments crafted with love by Ian Chan and his team at Mushroom 2 Attenborough, alongside the amazing carpentry and tooling talents of Andy Booth and Patrick Molyneux at ASM Tech.
THE RESULT
A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH TO ACOUSTIC DESIGN
Suspended throughout the Silver Hayes dome, the discs serve as both functional acoustic tools and visually striking features of the stage design. This project represents the first known use of mycelium-based acoustic treatment in live entertainment at scale, setting a powerful precedent for the sound design and events industry.
The results, assessed using internationally recognised standards, confirmed that mycelium-based composites can match the performance of conventional acoustic absorbing materials without the long-term environmental cost.
The success of this installation points toward significant opportunities for expanding mycelium-based acoustics beyond festivals, including use in built environments such as schools, hospitals, theatres, and public spaces where acoustic clarity and sustainability are increasingly vital.
“It's wonderful to be working yet again with Paul and the Magical Mushroom Company® at Glastonbury. These mycelium discs not only offer a wonderful addition to the look and feel of the Sunflower Stage which Floating Points has created but also meet a practical need with an effective and impressive bio-material. We are excited to take these acoustic discs beyond Glastonbury and to continue the legacy of this work by sharing the messaging around bio-design and new ways of working sustainably which MMC champions so well.”
Ben Price, Creative Producer- Silver Hayes
“This installation marks the first large-scale use of such material in live entertainment acoustics and sets a powerful precedent for future adoption of sustainable acoustic treatment technologies.”
Paul Gilligan, Founder and CEO- Magical Mushroom Company®
