Synthony takes Auckland to next level
Almost 35,000 people will pack Auckland Domain today for one of the biggest events in the venue’s history. A mini city has been built for the concert extravaganza. reports
This time last year, the Auckland Domain’s main fields were under water, the catchment for — firstly — thousands of tonnes of water during the anniversary weekend flooding and then — a few weeks later — the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Today, an estimated
33,000-35,000 will pack the same grounds — now restored to their full glory — for Synthony in the Domain, one of the biggest events ever staged on the sprawling central Auckland park.
Organisers say the event — the forecast crowd is a huge step up from the already impressive 20,000 who attended last year — is further progress in turning the event into an internationally recognised extravaganza, comparable to how London uses Hyde Park and New York uses Central Park for major concerts and events.
“It’s exciting — I’m excited!” said Duco Events boss David Higgins as he drove the Weekend Herald around the venue in a golf cart yesterday morning.
The finishing touches were being placed on what is essentially a minicity — by tomorrow, there will be more than 50 food trucks in place, along with designated party and dance areas, food and wine zones, a theme park area, a silent disco, and dozens of hospitality and corporate tents.
At the forefront, towering over a massive open grassed area, is the massive Synthony stage and its side screens, from where live music starts from 2.30pm, culminating in Synthony No.5, from 9pm.
Work started on the stage more than a week ago. Today, it will host the likes of Peter Urlich, Tiki Taane and Fat Freddy’s Drop, and that’s even before the main event, a stunning orchestral dance and light show extravaganza.
“We are creating a mini city, and the purpose of it is joy and magic. Synthony’s purpose is to move you like never before,” said Higgins.
Herald reviewer Dan Boyd called last year’s event “spellbinding”.
“The screens to the side of the stage carried a mesmerising display of geometric patterns and pulsating colours. The orchestra dived into their complex rhythms, the strings and brass weaving in and out of the beats with effortless precision. It’s an utterly entrancing experience — no wonder this concept is expanding to the world and just keeps getting better.”
The event has certainly come a long way since the 2000 people who turned up to the Town Hall in 2017.
Now Synthony is a genuinely national and international event — it’s toured at different venues around New Zealand and is now sold overseas, featuring in Singapore and other countries. Interest is high from countries in the Middle East and further afield.
For Duco, it’s easily their biggest music event. They’ve organised and helped lead various major sports events — the Joseph Parker-Anthony Joshua boxing bout in the UK with
80,000 people and the NRL Nines with more than 40,000 fans at Eden Park — but these were at established stadiums. Synthony and the Domain location bring their own uniqueness — and magic.
Higgins was on a last-minute pitch yesterday morning. There are still some tickets left, but not many — VIP tickets have sold out, but there are VVIP and GA tickets available.