L-Acoustics L Series successfully deployed across Il Divo’s recent 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 to maintain exceptional sound quality as their tour progressed from intimate theatres to concert halls and major arenas.
Event technology specialists Adlib provided their first full-service audio, lighting, and video solution for Il Divo and built their 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.
“During planning, we proposed L2 as mains with Kara sides for smaller venues, scaling up to K1 for arenas with L2 as sides,” explains Chris Beddall, Il Divo’s FOH Engineer. “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.”
Working closely with Beddall, Richy Nicholson of Adlib prioritised vocal clarity and consistent coverage. “We ultimately selected L2 for its superior adaptability across varying venue sizes and types. The decision proved transformative for the tour’s audio quality.”
The L Series demonstrated exceptional capability in managing Il Divo’s diverse musical repertoire. Its cardioid dispersion pattern proved particularly effective in maintaining clean stage sound without compromising the flown Kara II side-fills, while delivering the power and precision required for commanding vocal performances. Using L-Acoustics Soundvision software, the team optimized system placement and coverage for each venue’s unique architecture.
“L2 was chosen to provide the best possible consistency when scaling between venues of varying sizes” noted Billy Bryson, Adlib System Engineer. “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 Kara II side-fill, which L Series manages to do without compromising transient response.”
The compact design of L-Series delivered significant operational benefits throughout the tour. “The reduced weight and size compared to traditional arrays meant more efficient truck packing,” said Nicholson. “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.”
Beddall concluded: “It was a pleasure working with Adlib on this tour. Their friendly, experienced team ensured even the most challenging days ran smoothly. This was especially true in the hands of Billy Bryson, who consistently delivered a fantastic-sounding system. Combining Adlib’s expertise with an L-Acoustics PA made this tour seamless and enjoyable.”
