How Stageline Redefines Production: From Days to Hours

By Alexis Delage

In the highly competitive world of major music festivals, success is measured in moments: the beat drop, the light show, the collective energy of the crowd. For VELD Music Festival, one of Canada’s largest and most celebrated electronic music events, creating those moments for tens of thousands of fans in Toronto’s Downsview Park requires world-class production and flawless execution. This is a reality that Technical Director Sean Wells understands perfectly, and it’s why VELD’s long-standing partnership with Stageline is critical to their success.

This relationship is an excellent example of the immense benefits of close collaboration. A key operational challenge was recently solved when a stage that was previously a large tent and custom structure was replaced with a Stageline SL260. For Sean, the change was a complete game-changer. Reflecting on the complex and grueling timeline of a custom build, he noted, “You know, that thing took six days to build…”

In stark contrast, the new solution brings incredible efficiency. “I’m going to have the SL260 up in five hours” Sean stated. This massive time saving simplifies a huge part of the festival’s operations, freeing up resources and reducing logistical pressure. As Sean enthusiastically put it when comparing the two solutions, Stageline “knocked it out of the park.”

SAM575: Enabling creative growth

But the partnership goes beyond operational efficiency; it’s about enabling creative growth. VELD’s second stage, now known as the Bass Stage, utilizes a Stageline SAM575—a model chosen specifically for its impressive rigging capacities. This technical advantage was the key that unlocked a massive creative upgrade for the festival.

The increased capacity of the SAM575 allowed the VELD team to bring their “Bass Stage 2.0” vision to life, offering fans a major sensory upgrade, a true glow-up. The improvement was substantial, featuring 33% more video screens, 33% more subwoofers, and an incredible 100% more lasers. This demonstrates how the right stage isn’t just a platform, but a catalyst for a more immersive and powerful audience experience.

This commitment to annual innovation is at the heart of the VELD-Stageline relationship. “Every year, the production design is different,” Sean explained. ”So the technical design concept – the lighting, video, and all of the different technical elements put in place change from year to year”. In his conversation with Stageline, it’s clear that this is a deep, collaborative bond where creative ambitions are supported by robust engineering.

As VELD looks to the future, the evolution continues. The festival can count on the unwavering support of Stageline to champion a vision for success in the industry: “Bigger, more spectacular, but always with total peace of mind.” This is the promise of offering an ever-grander experience, while ensuring the peace of mind that only an experienced, trusted team and a solid partnership can provide. With Stageline, VELD doesn’t just build a major festival site; it builds memorable live musical experiences.

SL260 – VELD Music Festival