The MTV Presents Levi's Jeans Staying Alive Concert in Association with YouthAIDS, staged at Cape Town, South Africa's Green Point Stadium last November, drew over 20,000 people witnessing the event live, and billions catching an edited version on television channels the world over.
Three American hip-hop stars headlined the show: Alicia Keys, Usher, and P. Diddy were joined by homegrown stars Mandoza, Zola, 101, Danny K, Bianca Le Grange, and DJ Ready D. Gearhouse South Africa provided lighting, sound, structures, audio-visual, rigging, and power. Behind the controls was Tim Dunn, Gearhouse director, while the company's Johannesburg and Cape Town branches supplied all the equipment along with the technical team to run the show.
The stage was backed by a huge red ribbon set against a white background (constructed locally to international design specifications). Two massive daylight screens were mounted prominently on the sides of the stage, keeping the audience focused on the performances. A long side stage was also provided, which most artists used, Usher in particular. Another daylight screen was mounted behind the engineers' setup; being a delay screen with delay speakers, those attendees not in the VIP seats were able to be part of the action.
Lighting featured High End Systems Studio Spots® and Technobeams®; audio included Turbosound Flashlight and Floodlight speakers, BSS amplification, and XTA processors. Structures supplied by Gearhouse included a 25×18m (83'×60') Stageco stage/roof system with PA wings.
The event was held to create a wider awareness of the HIV/AIDS crisis as well as to encourage tolerance of those affected by the disease. The South African Broadcast Corporation filmed the show on behalf of MTV, to be included in MTV's 90-minute commercial-free special, which premiered on World Aids Day, December 1.