The concert drew on the heritage of the original Concert in the Park, which saw 125,000 South Africans pack out the city's Ellis Park Stadium in 1985. This year's event drew a more modest crowd, but all enjoyed a bill including Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Steve Kekana, PJ Powers and Hotline, Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, Mango Groove and Clint & Co.
The show's technical infrastructure was supplied by Sound Stylists, one of South Africa's leading production companies, which is this year celebrating its landmark 25th birthday.
The main audio system comprised 12 flown Coda Airline LA12s with four Airline LA8s per side. Six ground stacked SC8 subs per side and four Alpha E high packs for front-fills completed the system, all powered by Camco V8 amplifiers.
The mixing consoles comprised a DiGiCo D5 and SD8 at Front of House, with another D5 on monitors. All three were connected via fibre optic with two RME MADI bridges converting the MADI signal for the SD8.
"The combination of Coda loudspeakers and DiGiCo consoles is ideal for this kind of event, where the range of musical styles is only matched by the unpredictability of the outdoor environment," says Coda's Mick Anderson. "It can be difficult to ensure that every act has a high quality sound, whatever the weather or time of day. But we are very pleased that Sound Stylists achieved that task with a Coda system."
"The audio department had its hands full catering for the many performance styles, which ranged from traditional instrumental to rock, as well as factoring in the environmental factors of an outdoor event," adds Sound Stylists' Kyle Robson.
"The fibre optic system provided seamless, real time, optimal quality feeds throughout the day. Whether it jogged emotional memories, provided an opportunity to give back to the community or just offered a day of superb entertainment, all who attended agree that it will be remembered for many years to come."
(Jim Evans)
