Concerns have been raised about "Big Night In" sound quality for some areas of Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
Denise Powell, of Dunedin, in a letter to the editor, said while she wished to congratulate the ODT for providing the Dunedin community with a free concert with a stunning lineup of entertainers, she was eager to get a feel for what the Elton John concert was going to be like.
"Unfortunately, the acoustics are terrible. What makes the stadium fantastic as a sports venue, namely the roar of the crowd being contained, is precisely what is wrong with the stadium as a concert venue. And the fact that the stage is at one end and most of the seating is at a 90-degree angle to that. Great for sports, not so great for shows."
Several other readers contacted the ODT with similar points.
The upper parts of the North and South stands have been identified as areas of particular concern.
"Big Night In" artistic producer Doug Kamo said organisers regretted any sound issues experienced.
"It was the first concert in the venue and we went into it not knowing what the stadium could and couldn't do," he said yesterday.
"I think the sound quality in most areas of the stadium was exceptional and I believe, overall, that we got an incredible result.
"But we'll certainly be looking at the design and changing a few things around to keep it fresh, if we do it again next year."
Elton John promoter, Capital: C Concerts managing director Phil Sprey, said when contacted a different "million dollar'' sound system was being used for Sir Elton's concert, but he was surprised at criticism of Saturday's concert.
"It was a free community event with a set budget and I can't understand anyone throwing stones at it. It's not fair,'' he said.
"You can't compare it to a professional concert. It's a totally different thing. It's like comparing a busker on the street corner with an orchestra. There's no comparison. It's completely different to the million dollar sound system we're bringing for the Elton John concert.
"The people who were at the concert and are going to Elton John will definitely see and hear the difference.''
