Midwinter lanterns to be part of Sheeran festivities
FLOATING gingercoloured fish mark the start of the Octagon’s transformation into a central hub for Ed Sheeran fans over Easter.
Giant lanterns from the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival are being set up in an illuminating display in the basement of the Athenaeum.
It is part of the Dunedin City Council’s $60,000 project, in which the lower Octagon and part of lower Stuart St will be closed for six days, and temporarily transformed into an ‘‘inviting streetscape’’ for up to 100,000 Ed Sheeran fans.
There will be no cars, just people, artificial turf, planter boxes, small trees, furniture, umbrellas, festoon lighting, games and activities.
Dunedin Midwinter Celebrations Trust chairman Paul Smith said the DCC had asked the organisation to set up more than 100 giant lanterns for the display, which would include aerial performers, stilt walkers and music.
‘‘We’ve created it for a specific site. It’s a historic building that not everyone will have seen.
‘‘So it’s bringing to life a part of Dunedin that’s quite historic and beautiful. It’s from another era.
‘‘It’s quite magical with that combination of heritage, space and beautiful artworks.’’
Mr Smith was delighted the lanterns were being put on display at events other than the Midwinter Carnival.
‘‘It’s great to be able to use them, and it’s a different experience for people to be walking around them, rather than in a procession moving past.
‘‘People like to see them up close and take selfies, and get immersed within the lanterns. It’s quite a beautiful and unique experience.
‘‘The more opportunities we get to share them with the public, the better.’’
Mr Smith said the trust had put up the lanterns for display at other venues.
‘‘Apart from the Midwinter Carnival procession, this is the closest we’ve done it to the Octagon, and it’s probably the most highprofile event that we’ve ever done it for.
‘‘What we’re hoping, and what we’re building up to, is a permanent display of the lanterns in Dunedin.
‘‘This is a really good way to test the water.’’
THE Sheeran production cavalry is descending on Dunedin to set up what promises to be one of the most elaborate sound and light shows in the city’s history.
The stage for Ed Sheeran’s three concerts will be finished today at Forsyth Barr stadium and light and sound equipment will be erected until Thursday.
Frontier Touring Company New Zealand representative Brent Eccles said 18 large semitrailer trucks would travel down from Auckland, taking the ferry across Cook Strait, to set up for the concert.
The creation would ‘‘have to be’’ one of the largest and most elaborate the stadium had seen, he said.
‘‘Well, I haven’t seen all the shows at Forsyth Barr, but there’s only one Ed Sheeran. It’s certainly the most elaborate by a long shot Frontier have put into Forsyth Barr.’’
The audience would be treated to a ‘‘very big’’ sound system, involving 176 speakers and a visual display of 351sq m of video screens and 251 lighting fixtures.
‘‘The video setup is very unique. I haven’t seen anything like it before.
‘‘Because it’s a oneman show it really highlights Ed and is quite visual behind him, as well.’’
About 150 locals were employed to help build and take down the equipment, Mr Eccles said.
‘‘There are a whole lot of local container swing lifts and cherry pickers. He has a personal touring crew of 49 and there’s all us as well.
‘‘So it’s a substantial production. It’s complicated. It needs to be put together properly.’’
There was ‘‘a lot of stuff’’ coming down from Auckland and a lot to put together, he said.
Wednesday would be a very big day, he said.
‘‘What we’re feeling is quite welcoming from Dunedin and we feel like the city is going to be buzzing for four or five days there.’’
Sheeran will perform at the stadium on Thursday, Friday and Sunday to a combined audience of more than 100,000.