New Zealand bands The Butlers, The Soul Agency, The Black Seeds and Katchafire played at the Caroline Bay Soundshell on Saturday.

As Timaru farewelled Saturday with a glorious big sky and warm, sticky air, an energetic haze fell over the large mosh pit getting rowdy at the Caroline Bay Soundshell.

A crowd of about 1300 converged on the bay for the four act concert featuring New Zealand bands The Butlers, The Soul Agency, The Black Seeds and Katchafire and organisers say the event will return to the Soundshell at the same time next year.

"The concert was a huge success," event manager Sam Heath said.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Black Seeds concert at the Caroline Bay Soundshell on Saturday.

"It all went really smoothly and there will be a couple of things we change for next time around."

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He said the venue could hold up to 3000 people and organisers had hoped for at least 1500 so they were happy with the turnout for the first-time event.

1 of 16 Josiah Clark The sky provided a stunning background at the concert. 2 of 16 Josiah Clark Katchafire play under a big South Canterbury sky. 3 of 16 JOSIAH CLARK The Butlers get into the swing of the gig. 4 of 16 Josiah Clark The Soul Agency vocalist Sharleyne Diamond performs at the concert. 5 of 16 Josiah Clark About 1300 tickets were sold for the Caroline Bay Soundshell concert on Saturday. 6 of 16 Josiah Clark Caroline Bay Carnival rides were run at the Soundshell concert on Saturday. 7 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Former Timaru man Barrett Hocking plays the trumpet for The Black Seeds at Saturday's Caroline Bay Soundshell concert. 8 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Black Seeds singer Barnaby Weir sings at the Soundshell. 9 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Black Seeds percussionist Daniel Weetman in action at Caroline Bay. 10 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Black Seeds on stage at the Soundshell. 11 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Former Timaru man Barrett Hocking plays with The Black Seeds. 12 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF Daniel Weetman on stage. 13 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Black Seeds get the crowd moving. 14 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The queue to buy drinks at the Caroline Bay Soundshell concert. 15 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The mosh pit at Saturday's concert. 16 of 16 JOHN BISSET/STUFF The Black Seeds on stage.

"Timaru hasn't had an event at the Soundshell like this for a very long time and I've been inundated with messages today [Sunday] from people saying how well things went. It's been great for the first time festival."

He said, at this stage, next year's event has been pencilled in for the same weekend in January and would coincide with the One Love Festival in Tauranga. The two-day gig is a celebration of roots, rock and reggae.

"The plan is to share the acts again like this year with The Black Seeds and Katchafire."

He said there were a few teething issues that would be looked at for next year.

"We will make some changes.

"The bar layout will be changed as there were big lines for the bar."

The crowd had behaved well too, he said.

From the beginning of the concert, which began at 4pm with Timaru band, The Soul Agency, people were dancing in the mosh pit.

By the time members of The Black Seeds made their way to the stage at 6.15pm, the crowd was amped and ready.

"It's nice to play here to you," they yelled to the crowd.

While each song brought lots of clapping and cheering, the loudest applause came after former Timaru band member Barrett Hocking was introduced to the crowd.

The reggae, relaxed vibe continued into the evening with Katchafire taking to the stage at 8.15, full of energy.

Several Caroline Bay rides were also operating during the concert which culminated in a fireworks display.