When Jade Thirlwall took to the stage at Capital’s Summertime Ball 2025, the energy inside Wembley Stadium was electric. Performing to a packed crowd of over 80,000 fans, her bold red and black styling, commanding stage presence, and futuristic visuals combined to create one of the standout moments of the entire event. Behind the spectacle, our experts played a key role in bringing the visual drama to life, designing and building a custom inflatable stage backdrop that made an unforgettable impression – a striking set of towering chrome spikes that dominated the stage and elevated the performance from powerful to iconic.
Designing a Vision: Turning Creative Concepts into Reality
Jade Thirlwall’s creative team approached Megaflatables with a clear vision – a bold, metallic, and futuristic stage design that captured the energy of her performance. The brief called for a dramatic yet functional stage installation that would look like sculpted chrome but behave like a lightweight, flexible inflatable. Our in-house design and production specialists immediately began conceptualising how to make that vision possible, balancing aesthetic impact with practicality.
The goal was to create a backdrop that felt sharp, edgy, and modern, with every reflective surface catching the light perfectly. The spikes needed to convey strength and presence while maintaining the level of safety and portability essential for a live performance environment. Every aspect of the project – from the material finish to the internal structure – was engineered with precision to ensure the inflatables could stand tall and shine brilliantly under Wembley’s spotlights.
Balancing Showstopping Design with Technical Precision
Bringing this concept to life was no simple task. With live performances, there are always strict timelines and multiple production constraints to navigate. One of the biggest challenges was achieving the metallic effect that would read as chrome on stage, especially under the complex lighting setup of a televised concert. The material had to reflect light dynamically without creating glare or distracting the audience.
Another crucial consideration was stage safety. The custom inflatable spikes had to look razor-sharp while being completely safe for Jade, her dancers, and the production crew working around them. The team designed the structures using reinforced seams and secure anchoring systems, ensuring total stability throughout the performance. Despite their size and impact, the inflatables remained lightweight, making setup and teardown seamless within the event’s tight schedule.
The team also had to engineer a system that allowed for quick inflation and removal. With so many artists performing at the Summertime Ball, every stage change had to be executed with military precision. Our installation team ensured that the spikes could be fully inflated, positioned, and removed swiftly between acts – proving that speed doesn’t have to come at the expense of spectacle.
Delivering the Wow Factor Live at Wembley
As the crowd erupted for Jade Thirlwall’s set, the chrome spikes glistened under the stage lights, perfectly framing the performance. The six towering inflatables, positioned symmetrically across the stage, reflected light with a mirror-like sheen, creating a sense of depth and movement that complemented the choreography and visuals projected behind. The result was a stage design that not only supported the performance but became part of it.
The reflective surfaces worked in harmony with the event lighting and camera setups, ensuring that both the live audience and viewers watching online experienced the full visual impact. Every movement, every flash of light, and every beat seemed amplified by the sleek, futuristic shapes standing tall behind the performer. For fans and production crews alike, the effect was unforgettable – a true example of how creative design and technical expertise can transform a live performance into a moment of art.
A Collaboration Rooted in Trust and Experience
The Summertime Ball project reflected everything the company stands for – creativity, quality, and flawless execution. With years of experience delivering large-scale custom inflatables for global brands and major events, the team understands that every project must balance design ambition with technical delivery. From concept sketches to the final installation at Wembley, every stage of the process was handled with care and expertise.
Megaflatables’ reputation for reliability and precision engineering meant Jade Thirlwall’s production team could have full confidence that the installation would be both safe and visually striking. Working to a tight schedule and under the immense pressure of a live broadcast, our team once again proved their ability to deliver complex inflatable installations that perform as beautifully as they look.
Pushing Creative Boundaries in Event Design
The chrome spike backdrop stood out as one of the most talked-about design elements of the Summertime Ball 2025. It highlighted how inflatables can go far beyond novelty or branding to become true artistic features in event production. As we continue to redefine what’s possible with inflatable design, projects like this one show just how versatile and impactful these structures can be when combined with imagination and expert craftsmanship.
Whether for live concerts, televised events, or large-scale corporate shows, our custom inflatables provide a flexible, lightweight, and visually stunning alternative to traditional stage sets. Our work with Jade Thirlwall at Wembley is a perfect example of this – proof that inflatables can offer durability, safety, and speed of setup without compromising on visual power.
A Bold Statement in Inflatable Design
The success of this project lies in its seamless blend of artistry and engineering. The finished installation delivered a sense of futuristic glamour that elevated the performance and demonstrated how much can be achieved through thoughtful inflatable design. This installation was another chance to showcase our ability to deliver something truly extraordinary for one of the UK’s biggest live events.
From the initial creative brief to the final standing ovation, we brought Jade Thirlwall’s stage vision to life – with a design that turned heads, captured the cameras, and redefined what an inflatable stage installation can be. It wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a centrepiece.
Bold Design. Smart Engineering. Maximum Impact.
Megaflatables has long been recognised as a leader in the creation of large-scale inflatables for events, festivals, and brand activations. The chrome spike installation at the Summertime Ball 2025 showcased our unmatched expertise in combining cutting-edge design with practical innovation. By delivering a custom inflatable that was both breathtaking and perfectly executed, the team reinforced what sets us apart – the ability to make the impossible look effortless.
To learn more about how Megaflatables can bring your creative vision to life with custom event inflatables, get in contact with us today.
