Plan to build on success of first sky-high concert

Organisers of the inaugural Over The Top Rock music festival say they plan to annually build on the success of the sky-high concert and can see the potential for 1000 music fans on Cecil Peak.

Arrowtown band the Lynch Mob performed the entire Pink Floyd album, The Dark Side of the Moon and other Pink Floyd classics, one mile above Lake Wakatipu, to an audience of about 120.

Concert-goers paid $495 per person for brunch at Jacks Pt, the helicopter ride to the peak overlooking the lake and Queenstown, the day-time show, barbecue and return flight.

Vocalist-guitarist Ben Lynch said this week the concert had gone without a problem, the sound quality had been surprisingly good, without echoes, and weather conditions ideal.

There had been "great feedback" from patrons.

"Some said it was the type of thing you remember for the rest of your life.

"It was quite surreal. I don't think anyone expected how high they were going on Cecil Peak."

Mr Lynch said he estimated 85% to 90% of concert-goers were from out of town.

"It's good, in a way, because it shows it can work nationally.

"A lot of locals said they were coming, but there were a lot of things on on Sunday."

There had been a flurry of five or six last-minute door sales, which delighted organisers.

Organisers decided last Thursday to switch the gig from Saturday to Sunday because of the forecast of more settled weather.

Only one couple could not attend the changed date.

Jacks Pt restaurant manager Ana Tonkin said, from the clubhouse and restaurant's point of view, the event was "fantastic", with great numbers and perfect weather.

"Everyone loved it.

"We managed to turn the clubhouse into an airport, with everyone checking in and getting their boarding and flight times and boarding calls and, in between, were told to come in for the set brunch, which was part of the ticket price."

Ms Tonkin said she believed the mountain-top concert would return next year, perhaps on a summer date.

 

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