Despite criticism of the sound quality at Forsyth Barr
Stadium during the Hollies concert, event promoters and
stadium managers remain confident the venue can, and will,
continue to host major musical productions.
About 6500 people bought tickets to Ride the Rhythm, which
involved an equestrian display and competition followed by
the Hollies concert on Friday.
The Otago Daily Times was contacted by a few ticket
holders disappointed with what they said was poor sound
quality.
One letter writer said he and his friends left the concert
after four songs because the acoustics were ''abhorrent''.
''It was our first and last visit to this venue for a music
concert,'' the Ashburton resident said.
Another ticket holder said she also left early because she
could not make out the words to some songs.
But Ride the Rhythm manager Andrew Hansen and Dunedin Venues
Management Ltd chief executive Darren Burden were pleased
with the sound quality and excited about staging further
concerts at the stadium.
Both received positive feedback from people who attended the
Hollies and were personally pleased with how the event went.
Mr Hansen said the promoter who helped bring the Hollies to
New Zealand from the United Kingdom told him the sound
quality was ''above average'' for a stadium of that size.
He received an email from someone who said there was no
problem with the sound, unlike at the Elton John concert.
A full sound system was used, as enough tickets were sold to
cover the cost.
''About 95% of feedback has been positive. Everyone's just
raving about it,'' Mr Hansen said.
The next Ride the Rhythm at the stadium was already being
planned, he said.
''It will definitely happen again. The stadium is
fantastic.''
Mr Burden said he and the Hollies' promoter were pleased with
the sound quality and, although he was aware of a few
complaints, there had been a far greater positive response.
''We've had an unusually high number of positive emails from
people saying how much they enjoyed the concert. It's always
difficult to get it absolutely 100% right, but we don't have
any concerns in terms of upcoming events,'' he said.
Ride the Rhythm was difficult to manage because it was
''effectively two events in one'' and the best seats for
viewing equestrian displays were not necessarily the best for
concerts, Mr Burden said.
Those seated farthest from the Hollies' stage were allowed on
the pitch to be closer to the band.
Seating would be carefully considered for the next such
event, he said, but for the Paul Simon concert in April that
would not be an issue.
''The promoter has been in contact with the people who did
Elton John and has all the information from that, and is very
well prepared for the concert,'' Mr Burden said.
Overall, Ride the Rhythm had been a great success and he was
keen to do ''something like that'' again.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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