Emma Reynolds-Taylor – All Access Spotlight
Emma Reynolds-Taylor’s incredible journey in live events began after attending the Monsters of Rock Festival as a teenager. Witnessing a female technician working on stage sparked a realization that women could excel in technical roles in the music industry, paving the way for Emma to pursue a career in festival production. Inspired by her experiences at Monsters of Rock and subsequent music festivals like Reading and Glastonbury, Emma found her passion working behind the scenes.
Initially starting in the skateboard industry, Emma transitioned to event production after working on Urban Games and securing a role at the Hop Farm Festival in 2008. Through dedication and hard work, she steadily progressed to become the technical production lead at the Hop Farm, gaining valuable experience working with renowned artists like Prince and Bob Dylan. This set the stage for her pivotal role at Glastonbury, where she currently serves as the head of production.
Overseeing Glastonbury’s legendary Pyramid and Other Stages, Emma faces a multitude of challenges ensuring the success of headlining acts and representing the essence of the festival accurately. With millions of viewers and a live audience of up to 120,000, the pressure is amplified, necessitating careful decision-making and meticulous planning to meet expectations. Despite the stress and demands of the role, Emma finds immense satisfaction in creating iconic moments on stage.
Reflecting on the summer season of 2025, Emma recounts a whirlwind of events that pushed her team to new heights. Managing Glastonbury, Silverstone, and the Mercury Prize simultaneously required exceptional coordination and effort, with each project growing in complexity and scale. Notable among these was the Together for Palestine event at Wembley Arena, organized in just six weeks with an impressive lineup of acts and speakers. The intense workload was a test of skill and determination, culminating in a successful and memorable show.
Emma acknowledges the unwavering support from her business partner and husband, Jon, whose encouragement and belief in her abilities have been instrumental in her success. She also credits Emily Eavis at Glastonbury for championing women in production roles and providing the trust and support needed to excel in her career. With each show and event presenting new challenges and opportunities for growth, Emma remains grateful for the privilege of working on such incredible projects and looks forward to continued success in the future.