James Morrison has embarked on his 20 Years of Undiscovered UK and Ireland tour, supported by 22Live and a Martin Audio WPC Wavefront Precision sound system. The 22-date tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of Morrison’s debut album, Undiscovered.
The setlist features the No. 1 album performed in its entirety, alongside some of the biggest hits from throughout his career. To support Morrison and his band, 22Live has deployed a scalable Martin Audio WPC solution.
I've known Yaron Levy, the tour manager and FOH engineer, for around 30 years. We first met in the 1990s when he was working as monitor engineer for Simple Minds. More recently, we've worked together again during his time as tour manager for UB40, says Paul Timmins of 22Live.
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Planning for the tour began in October 2025, following a successful run of shows earlier that spring. The production required a system capable of delivering the natural, warm tonality that characterises Morrison’s vocals and guitar.
"Yaron wanted a very natural sound", says Timmins. "He had previously worked with Martin Audio while touring with Simple Minds and Ocean Colour Scene and appreciated the warmth of its systems, although he wasn't as familiar with the company's latest products".
To evaluate the WPC platform, Levy attended an Australian Pink Floyd concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall. "He loved both the sound and the overall system", continues Timmins. "From there, I designed a configuration that provided the flexibility needed for a one-truck tour".
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The system comprises up to 24 WPC elements (12 per side), flown from single points using four grids to provide flexibility in smaller venues and allow ground stacking where required. Low-frequency reinforcement is provided by 12 SXCF118 18-inch subwoofers, typically ground-stacked in configurations of three high by two wide, depending on the venue. The system is completed with Martin Audio TORUS constant-curvature arrays, using four TORUS T820 loudspeakers for front fill and four TORUS T1230 elements for in-fill and out-fill duties.
Chris Wilcock of 22Live is the tour's system technician. Having joined the company working in the warehouse while studying at university, this marks his first major tour as lead FOH system technician. He is supported by Maria Head, who oversees stage operations and assists the monitor engineer.
My progression in this industry has happened very naturally, and I've always had the support of 22Live and the people who believed in me. This tour has a close-knit team that has worked together for many years. There’s a great atmosphere between the band, the artist and the crew—we all look out for one another. It's a fantastic tour, says Wilcock.
"The WPC's performance is outstanding", he says. "It's also versatile enough to adapt to venues of very different sizes. The rigging system is fast and straightforward—getting the system in the air and back down again takes very little time. The 10-degree rigging angles allow me to design the best configuration for each venue and cover the most challenging audience areas, both above and below balconies. It's also a very lightweight enclosure considering the output it delivers".
The WPC's wide, consistent dispersion is another major advantage given the variety of venues on the tour. "Its 100-degree coverage is fantastic for theatres where rigging points are often in very awkward positions", he says. "The T820s we use as front fills are the perfect size to sit discreetly along the edge of the stage without affecting audience sightlines", adds Wilcock. "They also deliver a highly defined sound that reinforces James's vocals for the front rows".
Martin Audio's software also plays a key role in optimising the system. "The Non Audience and Hard Avoid functions in DISPLAY work extremely well", explains Wilcock, citing Cambridge Corn Exchange, with its glass-fronted balcony, as an example. "By avoiding that surface we were able to reduce room reflections and steer the high frequencies back towards the audience. I'm impressed by how much the software can do to improve acoustically challenging venues".
To conclude, Paul Timmins has no doubts about the performance of Martin Audio WPC.
In my opinion, a 12-box WPC hang per side is ideal for the largest theatres in the UK. You may need to open the PA slightly more than you would with a deeper array, but that's exactly where Martin Audio excels: it delivers outstanding vertical coverage and exceptional consistency throughout the venue.
