Inside The Production Of Sabaton ‘The Legendary Tour’

At the heart of the show was a bold idea: a surprise B-stage in the middle of the audience, linked to the main castle stage by a 30-meter automated drawbridge catwalk.

“We Want To Fly – And We Want a Fire-breathing Dragon.”

When Sabaton set out to create one of their most ambitious arena productions to date, the vision was clear: Build a stage that didn't just face the audience. It would become part of it.

The result was a 30-meter automated flying drawbridge suspended above thousands of fans, connecting the monumental castle stage to the B-stage while transforming the arena into a true 360° experience.

Turning that vision into reality required more than automation. It required engineering, precision and absolute trust.

Engineered for Touring

Collaboration between designers, engineers, and automation specialists brought the concept to life:

  • Moveket synchronized hoists provided precise, real-time load monitoring

  • HOF MLT FOUR modular trusses housed hoists, lighting, and cable management

  • 3-meter truss sections enabled two 30m catwalks to be built in under 2 hours

  • Load-cell monitoring ensured safe operations across all venues

  • Flying drum riser safely carried drummer Hannes Van Dahl

Every solution combined creative storytelling with rigorous engineering, proving that bold ideas can coexist with absolute safety. Aa Hannes stated: “It never felt unsafe. Safety first always – and honestly, I had the time of my life up there.”

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Behind The Rigging

From the first sketches to opening night, explore the engineering and innovation behind Sabaton's iconic flying drawbridge.
Follow the story through our video series and see what it takes to bring an ambitious vision to life.

  • "Together with Motor Stage Automation, we developed a system that looks spectacular and is perfectly designed in terms of statics, logistics and touring technology."

    — HOF, one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional truss systems

  • "The best way to connect the band with the audience was to integrate automation fully into the show."

    — Jimmy Johnson, Project Manager, Motor Stage Automation

The Result

Across arenas in Europe, the automation system enabled one of Sabaton’s most ambitious productions to date.

Fans weren’t just watching the performance. They were inside it.

The production achieved rapid deployment, high safety standards, and immersive theatrical spectacle.

Automation became a central storytelling tool, not just backstage magic.

The Legendary Tour demonstrates how engineering innovation can transform bold creative ideas into unforgettable live experiences.