Robe Spotlights Metallica's Incredible M72 2026 Stadium Tour

	Each tower is rigged with large LED screens, and each has ladder torms extending down the full length of the screens, with the two fixtures at the bottom of each ladder being the followspots. Photo: Jeff Yeager

Metallica's record-breaking M72 Stadium Tour continues to play sold-out venues across Europe, supporting their eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons. It started in Amsterdam in April 2023 and continues to delight Metallica fans around the globe.

The tour features an impressive 120'-wide, in-the-round stage designed by Dan Braun, including a center-ring pit area and a spectacular lighting design created by Rob Koenig, Metallica's long-term lighting designer. The tour is known for delivering completely unique setlists each night and featuring different opening acts as well, with a schedule that typically comprises two nights in each city.

Koenig is utilizing 16 Robe iFORTE LTX Follow Spots and an 8-way RoboSpot remote follow system to ensure that the band can always be clearly seen by fans from all angles and also look great on multiple cameras.

The 16 iFORTE LTX fixtures are positioned on eight 30m-high towers erected around the stadium field, focused on the central stage. Playing in the round is one of their favored stage formats as it allows maximum proximity and access to their wildly enthusiastic fanbase.

Each tower is rigged with large LED screens, and each has ladder torms extending down the full length of the screens, with the two fixtures at the bottom of each ladder being the followspots.

Koenig chose iFORTE LTX FS -- supplied by worldwide lighting vendor Premier Global Productions out of Nashville -- for their power, IP rating, high CRI, and outstanding color rendering, which offers flesh tones and key lighting.

The near throw from the spotlight to stage is approximately 14m and the longer throw -- to the other side of the stage -- is around 35m, so they need something with plenty of power and punch. However, depending on the venue and the stage layout, the long spot throws can be up to 50m. "The iFORTE LTXs really shine over those longer distances," enthuses Koenig.

Koenig has been using RoboSpots on his lighting designs since 2018, "At the time, it was the only system with a zoomable camera and as our stadium stages are massive, and the band are highly mobile, this was the most flexible option for us," he states, adding that the system has been a great asset ever since.

At the start of the M72 Tour, back in 2023 -- the tour was originally planned to run for two years, but stratospheric ticket demand saw it continue extending - the RoboSpot system utilized Robe BMFL WashBeam fixtures.

This year, these were upgraded to the IP rated iFORTE LTX.

They had utilized iFORTE LTXs last year on several festivals: "The first time we lit the band up with these fixtures, we absolutely loved the way that they looked natively -- the brightness, texture and the quality of the light were all spot on -- with not a single complaint from anybody."

Koenig still did his due diligence and conducted a shootout in January this year to assess multiple moving head spotlight options, a process that concluded with him choosing the iFORTE LTX.

"Firstly, they are comfortable for a performer to look at," says Koenig, saying that while this might seem obvious, he's seen many moving head spot lights in action over the years, "and if my artist isn't comfortable, then that's it -- pack it up and send it away! Part of my job is to ensure that artists feel as comfortable as possible while still being able to launch rockets off their faces."

As well as ticking many other boxes -- for brightness and weatherization -- "the light is simply THE most comfortable when looking down its barrel," he confirms.

The RoboSpot operators are positioned underneath the grandstands ensconced with video and monitor worlds.

They only have to point the iFORTE LTX FSs at their designated band member, as Rob explains that they utilise the tracking zoom parameter from the RoboSpot stations, and all other colour and dimmer information comes from the FOH console, managed by front-of-house lighting technician, John Niles.

Koenig also appreciates the huge flexibility of the RoboSpot system. "The operators handle all parameters or just a single one like we are doing here, so depending on the gig, it can be as simple or as complex as I want it to be."

On the road with M72, the RoboSpot system has a dedicated technician, "V" Ruby, who looks after it day-to-day.

Metallica fans will also be able to catch the heavy metal band at Sphere Las Vegas in October, where they are headlining a 24-show Life Burns Faster residency.