South African production company Sound Stylists supplied the full technical for 702’s Solid Gold Concert in the Park, which saw Sipho Hotstix Mabuso, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Steve Kekana, PJ Powers (who reunited with her band – Hotline), Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, Mango Groove and Clint and Co all take to stage in this Proudly South African epic showdown. The concert drew on the heritage of the original Solid Gold Concert in the Park, which saw a united South Africa pack out the Ellis Park Stadium in 1985.
The picturesque Emmarentia Dam formed the perfect backdrop for the massive stage structure. The 16 x 12m Milos Roof Structure was built on an 18 x 14m Layer All Round Scaff Stage Structure, covered with Nivtech decking. Using this roof structure provided incredible strength (supporting a potential load of 75kg prm), stability and an ease of construction. Covered in a grey skin the mammoth roof structure complimented the picturesque backdrop, creating a perfect balance between man and nature.
Suspended from the rear truss structure were 3 staggered LED mesh screens. These were the ideal solution to providing background graphics and affects while being transparent enough to allow the beautiful botanical scenery to shine through. The AV for the event was run from a Hippotizer Video Server, while the advanced effects were controlled with 2 Barco ScreenPro II. Combined, the units supplied a dynamic range of screen effects including live transitioning backgrounds, wipes dissolves and keys. Flanking the outer scaff structures were two 25 m2 LED side screens, which were fed live feed via 2 x Sony FX1 and 2 x Canon XL HD.
Although minimal due to the event being during the day, the onstage lighting provided the perfect eye candy. Run off the Road Hog Full Boar, a combination of 24 High End Studio Pix moving LED’s and 24 BriteQ Power Banks provided the daytime visual spectacular. The entire technical production was run through a full fibre optic system, providing seamless, real time, optimal quality feeds throughout the day long performance. Whether the event jogged emotional memories, provided an opportunity to give back to the community or just offered a day of superb entertainment, all who attended agree, the event will be remembered for many years to come.
