Outside Lands returned to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park August 7–9 for its 18th year, with more than 140 artists performing across seven stages. Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and The Strokes topped an eclectic lineup, while the festival once again showcased the food, art, and culture of Northern California.
Meyer Sound systems supported three of Outside Lands’ seven stages—Lands End, SOMA, and Dolores’—as part of a longstanding collaboration with fellow Bay Area companies UltraSound, LLC and festival producer Another Planet Entertainment. UltraSound provided audio systems throughout the festival, including 340 Meyer Sound loudspeakers deployed across main systems, delays, fills, monitoring, and other applications.
2100-LFC Expands at Lands End
At the flagship Lands End stage, the main system paired 18 PANTHER™ line array loudspeakers per side with nine flown 2100-LFC™ low-frequency control elements per side and 16 ground-based 2100-LFC loudspeakers, all in cardioid configurations.
“The biggest change this year is that we are now deploying all 2100-LFCs for the low-frequency elements,” says Josh Osmond, Director of Operations for UltraSound. “It just made sense. It is the right product to pair with PANTHER. They complement each other quite well.”
“The 2100-LFCs help us fill in the bottom end with a little more weight, while maintaining the upper range and crossing over into the lower range of PANTHER,” he adds. “They’re very musical. They have fast transients and they’re transparent, so it really works well with the diverse content.”
Coverage Evolves Across the Field
Another significant update came at the delay towers, where permanent underground foundations and conduit were installed during the offseason. The new infrastructure reduces the towers’ footprint in audience areas while keeping cabling below ground.
The change also led to a new first-delay low-frequency configuration: Six 1100‑LFC™ low-frequency control elements per side were flown alongside LYON® line arrays rather than positioned on the ground. “The ground is really clean now, and there’s a tiny footprint,” says Bob McCarthy, Meyer Sound’s director of system optimization. “We’ve got six subs on the delay towers instead of the three we used to have on the ground, keeping it really full and thick deeper into the space.”
Visiting front-of-house engineers also praised the system’s clarity and responsiveness. Sean Delaine, FOH engineer for Audrey Hobert, says, “It was simply amazing. Transient response was amazing. All the mid-range was great. Nothing squashed out of the way. It allowed me to paint the air. I loved it.”
Longstanding Collaboration Looks Ahead
Beyond Lands End, PANTHER mains and LYON delays supported the SOMA EDM stage, while compact MINA™ line arrays powered the Dolores open-air dance club.
For Another Planet Entertainment, the continued evolution of Outside Lands reflects a partnership that has grown alongside the festival. “Outside Lands benefits from having three Bay Area teams that know this event, this site, and each other extremely well,” says Mary Conde, senior vice president of Another Planet Entertainment. “Our partnership with Meyer Sound and UltraSound allows us to keep looking ahead—improving the infrastructure and production process while creating an even better experience for artists and fans year after year.
About Meyer Sound
Founded in 1979 by John and Helen Meyer, Meyer Sound is the global leader and innovator in self-powered loudspeaker systems and active acoustics. Headquartered in Berkeley, California, with operations globally, the company is driven by a singular mission: to create the best sonic experiences in the world. With more than 100 patents and a legacy of breakthrough technologies—including the first dedicated loudspeaker processors and large-scale self-powered arrays—Meyer Sound combines scientific innovation with precision craftsmanship. Its premium systems power the world’s most iconic concert tours and festivals, theatrical productions, cinemas, houses of worship, educational institutions, and more. The company champions sustainable manufacturing and invests in the future of sound through education and global partnerships.