25 photos that prove Arcadia is the most intense festival stage ever

Arcadia, if you don’t already know, is a 50 tonne mechanical flame throwing spider created from reclaimed metal - and it’s also one of the most spectacular stages in the world.

The brainchild of technical director Bertie Cole and creative director Pip Rush Jansen, Arcadia takes four days to build and requires a minimum of 45 people to operate, with a control booth constructed from TriStar Jet engines and nine flame cannons shooting 15m fireballs. It’s pretty hard to beat.

Hosting acts from Carl Cox to Disclosure, Basement Jaxx to Todd Terry, Arcadia is a platform for creation and diversity. Not just a Glastonbury niche, Arcadia has also seen trips to Thailand and last year debuted a brand new ‘Metamorphosis’ show in Bristol.

Lighting and electronics aside, the stage also plays host to acrobats and performers - as well as the DJs that enter the belly of the beast (literally).

This year Arcadia was back at Glastonbury, hosting not only the ‘Metamorphosis’ show but also a carefully articulated line up of artists including Dusky, Groove Armada, Jackmaster, Skream B2B with Solardo and a DJ set from Noisia.

Take a look at our photos that we think prove Arcadia is up there with the best.

Amy Fielding is our Intern, you can follow her on twitter here

[Photos by Ben Daure, Charlie Raven, Lukonic Photography, Luke Taylor, Sarah Ginn and Shotaway]