L-Acoustics has deployed the L Series across Il Divo’s ongoing UK and European tour. The multinational classical crossover quartet, known for their powerful vocal performances spanning multiple genres from classical to pop, relied on an L Series professional sound system as their tour progressed from intimate theatres to concert halls and major arenas.
Event technology specialists Adlib provided its first full-service audio, lighting, and video solution for Il Divo and built the sound design around an L-Acoustics L Series system. The core configuration featured main hangs of up to three L2 and one L2D enclosures per side, complemented by 12 KS28 subwoofers, eight X8, and four X12 fill speakers.
For larger venues, the system expanded to include Kara II side hangs of up to 12 enclosures per side with additional KS28 subwoofers. In arena settings, such as Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, the system scaled up to K1 arrays for main hangs, with L2 repurposed effectively as side hangs.
Chris Beddall, FOH engineer, Il Divo, said. “During planning, we proposed L2 as mains with Kara sides for smaller venues, scaling up to K1 for arenas with L2 as sides. This approach leveraged L2’s lightness and excellent coverage, ensuring consistent, high-quality sound throughout the tour. I hadn’t heard L2 before this tour, but it provided great coverage and the smooth high-end detail you expect from L-Acoustics. Scaling up to K1 was like meeting an old friend.”
L-Acoustics says the L Series’ cardioid dispersion pattern proved effective in maintaining clean stage sound without compromising the flown Kara II side-fills. Using L-Acoustics Soundvision software, the team optimised system placement and coverage for each venue’s unique architecture.
Billy Bryson, system engineer, Adlib, said: “L2 was chosen to provide the best possible consistency when scaling between venues of varying sizes. Many venues which would previously have required a ‘split system’ approach could be covered by a single hang of L2 per side, improving low-frequency control in these rooms. The cardioid dispersion pattern was key to keeping the stage sounding clean, and not interfering with the flown KARAII Sidefills, which L-Series manages to do without compromising transient response.”
Nicholson added: “The reduced weight and size compared to traditional arrays meant more efficient truck packing. While maintaining our truck count, the space efficiency gave us greater flexibility in load-in and load-out procedures. The system’s quick deployment capabilities also meant reduced setup times and lower energy consumption during preparation phases.”
