However, concert-goer Rosemary Stevenson says she was one of many who were.
The Dunedin woman said it was the first time she had attended the annual Gibbston concert, and it was an ''eye-opener''.
The three other people she went with coped with the heat, which was about 33degC, but Mrs Stevenson became unwell about 1.45pm.
She said she was ''desperate'' to find ice to help cool her down, but was unable to buy any because the venue had run out. Instead, she stood outside the medical tent in the shade ''until they asked me to move''.
''I then [said] I wasn't feeling well, so they immediately sat me down with a cold cloth. There was a lady lying on a stretcher quite unwell from the heat [and] in ... maybe half an hour there were [several] people being brought in with effects from the heat.''
Her husband bought bottles of cold water, which they shared with others in the tent.
''It was full-on and as soon as people were better their seats were being taken by another unwell person.
''The medics were fantastic, I must say, and were doing a wonderful job.''
However, Paramedical Consultancy Ltd medical liaison Graham Roper said the ''vast majority'' of people who sought assistance from medic required ''minor interventions'', for example, sticking plasters or basic pain relief. Others presented with ''exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions'' requiring assessment and advice.
He believed messages given throughout the day reminding concert goers to keep hydrated ''prevented the need for heat-related interventions''.
