Seeing Black Sabbath in Melbourne was "fantastic'', but for former Dunedin man James Biggs, seeing the band with his best mates in Dunedin tonight would be even better.
Mr Biggs bought his tickets for Black Sabbath at the Forsyth Barr Stadium late last year before moving to Melbourne.
He saw the band in Melbourne last week, but was not going to miss the Dunedin concert.
"I thought I'm not going to miss seeing them, out with my best mates.''
He said Dunedin fans were in for a good concert, if Melbourne was anything to go by.
"It was fantastic.''
The band played all its classic songs, with nothing later than 1980.
"I think everyone was really excited because obviously it was the last tour they were doing.
"The crowd really gave it up for them, there was a bit of energy in the crowd.''
The band, he said, "went really well''.
"Ozzy's [singer Ozzy Osbourne] obviously getting on a bit but he still worked the crowd and got everybody to get up and jump around and have a good time.
Guitarist Tony Iommi and bass player Geezer Butler were "just as good as they ever were'', Mr Biggs said.
"Still loud and tight. I really enjoyed it.''
Mr Biggs began his love of 1970s heavy metal when he was 14 or 15.
"When you're a teenage boy hearing riffs and hard rock, it's pretty exciting stuff.
"All those guys are fantastic songwriters, and they've written some amazing songs.''
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd marketing and communications manager Kim Barnes said crowd numbers were "as expected''.
"Ticket sales are going great, and we're pleased with them.''
The stadium had a configuration similar to that used at the Neil Diamond concert last year, with a stand on the halfway line, creating an arena.
It was "all hands on deck'' at the stadium as preparations continued for the concert.
Gates opened at 6pm, and she asked those attending to turn up as early a possible.
The opening act Rival Sons would start at 7.40pm.
Black Sabbath was expected to be "visually spectacular''.
Southern district deployment manager Inspector Kelvin Lloyd said there would be a very visible police presence both at the concert and in the central city following.
Although he was "not anticipating'' anything out of the ordinary tonight, Insp Lloyd said due the number of people attending, his staff would be busy.
