When Foreigner hit the road for the Feels Like The Last Time Farewell Tour this past October, the production team leaned on Meyer Sound’s PANTHER large-format linear line array system to deliver consistency, clarity, and audience impact across a wide variety of Canadian venues. From system design to front-of-house mixing, PANTHER proved to be a compact powerhouse that simplified touring logistics while elevating the audience experience night after night.
For Jonathan Lafontaine, Technical Advisor at HQ Audio, the appeal of PANTHER started with its efficiency. “PANTHER delivers higher output than a LYON in the same cabinet size, with roughly the weight of two LEOPARDs or a single MICA,” he explains. That combination of power and compact form factor translated directly into real-world touring advantages. Reduced truck space, the elimination of external amplifier racks, simplified system management, and lighter cabling all contributed to a more streamlined deployment.
“From a touring perspective, it’s an extremely efficient and practical solution,” Lafontaine says. “Add linearity from top to bottom, and you get a perfect generator of emotion.”
The system configuration was designed to deliver even coverage and controlled low-frequency energy in demanding environments. The main hangs consisted of 14 PANTHER per side, complemented by 12 LEOPARD per side for side hangs. Low-frequency support came from a combination of flown and ground-stacked 2100-LFC subwoofers - 12 flown subs and three ground-stacked per side - configured in cardioid arrays to keep excessive low end out of monitor world. Front fill was handled by six LINA loudspeakers, with four X40s covering additional fill needs throughout the venues.
Control and monitoring were equally critical. Five GALAXY processors running over AVB formed the core of system processing, with Netgear M4250 series switches providing the network backbone. Lafontaine relied heavily on Meyer Sound’s NEBRA monitoring software to keep a close eye on system health throughout the tour. “That level of visibility gives you a lot of confidence on the road,” he notes.
Venue variability is often the true test of a touring PA, and this tour offered no shortage of challenges. “Not a single venue was similar,” Lafontaine recalls. “Some were very long, others extremely tall, and several were asymmetrical.” Despite that, the system consistently delivered strong coverage and
high-quality sound.
Predictability was key. Using MAPP3D, the team could precisely determine splay angles and loudspeaker counts, removing guesswork from the design process. The new horn configuration of the PANTHER-L stood out in particular, maintaining seamless high-frequency coverage even for audience members seated far from the stage.
At FOH, Peter Robert heard those benefits immediately. “PANTHER delivered clarity, which I expected from Meyer, even coverage, and improved mix translation,” he says. The result was a consistent audience experience from front to back. He also credits the system deployment itself: “Jonathan and his crew’s attention to detail and knowledge in deploying the rig helped the day go by quickly.”
Foreigner’s show spans intimate acoustic moments and full-throttle rock anthems, and the system handled that dynamic range with ease. According to Robert, PANTHER maintained detail and nuance during quieter sections while delivering powerful, controlled impact when the band turned it up. That confidence extended to his mixing approach. “PANTHER was a breeze to mix on,” he says. “It required less corrective EQ and let me focus on balance and dynamics, knowing the mix would translate accurately to the audience.”
From Lafontaine’s perspective, the lightweight design and efficient truck pack were among the biggest day-to-day wins. Combined with fast rigging, streamlined workflow, and consistent sonic results, Meyer Sound’s PANTHER system proved itself as a modern touring solution - one that delivered power, precision, and predictability for Foreigner, night after night.
Big Tour, Small Footprint, Massive Impact