Follow-Me automates lighting for Journey and Miss Li touring productions

The shift from manual follow-spots to fixture-agnostic tracking software addresses the dual pressures of rising labor costs and increasing stage complexity. By decoupling the follow-spot function from dedicated hardware and hardware-specific operators, productions can repurpose their entire lighting rig for tracking or effects on the fly. This interoperability between tracking data and lighting consoles signifies a move toward more flexible, software-defined touring environments. As large-scale productions like Journey’s farewell tour adopt these integrated systems, expect a broader industry transition where automated spatial tracking becomes a standard component of the lighting network. Watch for Follow-Me to expand its data-sharing capabilities with immersive audio and video server protocols.

The adoption of automated tracking comes as the live entertainment market faces significant structural shifts. Per MarketsandMarkets (July 2025), the global live entertainment sector is projected to reach $202.9 billion by 2025, driven largely by high-production-value music concerts and festivals. This growth persists despite rising overhead; reporting from nVision360 (April 2026) identifies skilled labor as the primary cost driver for modern AV production, with lighting technicians often commanding daily rates between $500 and $2,000.

Automation systems such as Follow-Me DELTΔ, which debuted at ISE Barcelona in February 2026, are specifically designed to mitigate these financial pressures while enhancing creative flexibility. These systems have moved beyond simple lighting to become centralized data hubs. Per Follow-Me’s product specifications (June 2026), modern tracking solutions now utilize Open Sound Control (OSC) and PosiStageNet (PSN) protocols to synchronize 3D position data across immersive audio systems and media servers simultaneously.

This technical integration is critical for high-stakes farewell tours like Journey’s 'Final Frontier.' Billed by AEG Presents as a 60-date North American trek running through November 2028, the production relies on consistent technical execution across varied arena environments. According to specialized reporting from Blabbermouth (May 2026), the tour’s success is anchored in its 'Evening With' format, which lacks an opening act and demands high-intensity lighting for extended three-hour sets. The ability to calibrate tracking systems quickly is essential as the tour moves through diverse venues including Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena and San Francisco’s Chase Center.