Iconic British metal band Iron Maiden is relying on a Meyer Sound LEO® Family
loudspeaker system to power its successful “Book of Souls World Tour.’ The band’s
high-octane performances have been filling arenas around the world since the six-
month, 35-country tour began in February. FOH engineer Martin Walker chose the
LEO Family to ensure maximum power and clarity for Iron Maiden after mixing
Judas Priest’s 2014-2015 world tour on the system.

“LEO’s clarity and headroom help out a great deal when it comes to balancing the
mix,’ reports Walker. “Iron Maiden has three guitars, vocals, and occasional
keyboards all vying for the same frequency bands in the mix. With LEO, the clarity
cuts right through. That also allows me to mix louder than before.’

Walker notes that the band has been pleased with audience reactions to the sound,
and appreciates the directed sound of the 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements.
“The band doesn’t like to be soaked by sub-bass bleed back on the stage, and the
low-end control I get from the 1100s takes care of that neatly,’ he says. “Out front,
management has also noticed a difference this time out. They recently remarked to
me, “I don’t know what this new rig is, but I love it.’’

For North American shows in “A-level’ arenas of 15,000–20,000, a typical system
configuration comprises dual hangs of 14 LEO-M over four LYON™ linear line array
loudspeakers, 18 1100-LFC elements in a cardioid configuration, and a centre stack
of four 700-HP subwoofers. Outfill hangs are 15 LYON loudspeakers each, and twin
arrays of six-each LEOPARD™ line array loudspeakers cover the rear stage. Various
fills of UPA-1P, MSL-4, and JM-1P arrayable loudspeakers are often included to suit
the venue. A Galileo® Callisto™ loudspeaker management system with one Galileo
Callisto 616 AES and six Galileo Callisto 616 array processors supplies drive and
optimization.

This marks the first time Iron Maiden has toured with a LEO Family system. Daily
setup is supervised by systems tech Richard Trow. The system is supplied by UK-
based Major Tom, Ltd., with additional equipment support from Atkinson, N.H.-
based Rainbow Production Services.

Walker adds that Iron Maiden’s rider specifies a LEO Family system as top
preference worldwide, but on other legs of the tour the actual system used may be
determined by availability, promoter preference, or a festival system already in
place.

“The Book of Souls World Tour’ travels on “Ed Force One,’ a custom-painted Boeing
747 flown by band frontman and licensed commercial airline pilot Bruce Dickinson.