Doobies & LRB set for Taupo concert | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Final preparations are all but complete for a huge afternoon of entertainment on Saturday, with Taupo's first international rock concert featuring rock legends The Doobie Brothers and Little River Band.

Concert promoter Amanda Calvert, from Taupo Summer Concerts, said the last of the preparations, including final work on the stage and marquees, was expected to be finished today.

The site would go into lockdown tomorrow before the crowd of more than 11,000 headed to Riverside Park on Saturday for the concert.

It's part of another huge weekend for Taupo, with the concert coinciding with a long-weekend, thanks to Waitangi Day on Monday, and the popular Kinloch Triathlon on Sunday.

Ms Calvert said with 11,000 concert tickets already sold - and more expected to be snapped up in the final days - she expected the town to be pumping on Saturday.

The weather was looking good and tickets would be on sale at the gate on the day unless the 15,000 capacity was reached before then.

She expected people from all over the North Island to head to Taupo for the concert, with the vast majority of tickets sold to out-of-towners.

"Taupo has a proven track record of hosting large-scale events like this, with great hospitality and plenty of accommodation available," Ms Calvert said.

She hoped the event would be the first of an annual series.

"We'd love to make this a regular feature for Taupo and we are already thinking about other big-name bands for next year."

District events manager Nick Reader said Taupo was ready for the influx of visitors.

"We know Taupo is well-equipped to handle big events, such as Ironman, Cycle Challenge and many other big-name concerts held here over the years. That said, locals can expect the roads leading into Taupo to be quite busy on Waitangi Weekend and should plan for this," he said.

US rock legends The Doobie Brothers have sold more than 40 million records in a career spanning five decades. The band has had hits such as Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin', China Grove and Jesus is Just Alright.

The line-up visiting Taupo features many of the band's original members, including Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons and John McFee.

Similarly, Australian rockers Little River Band have received huge chart success throughout three decades, with classics including Cool Change, and Take it Easy on Me.

Gates open at midday, with live music starting at 12.15pm.

New Zealand's Annah Mac will open, followed by the Little River Band and finally The Doobie Brothers. The concert is expected to finish about 6.30pm.