With half a million people in attendance in Lisbon, Portugal, Rock in Rio 2004 was no small affair as acts ranging from Paul McCartney to the Black Eyed Peas performed to raise millions of dollars in donations for various children's charities. The event was actually spread out over four different stages: The World Stage, the Roots Tent, Better World Tent, and the Electronics Tent. All of the show's pre-programming was performed by Germany-based Bright Preproductions, who made sure all of the LDs for the varying acts could ably light their performers. A WYSIWYG pre-programming suite was on site as per lighting director Danny Nolan and LD Peter Gasper, so the LDs could get the most out of the rig they designed with 100 automated fixtures and nine moving trusses.
An Avolites Diamond 4 console, supplied by Portuguese distributor Back Light, was used, as were two High End Systems WholeHog IIs. Barco S-LiteLED screens were supplied by XL Video Belgium and another Belgian company, Alfacam, supplied the broadcast and camera package as well as shot the show for HD video broadcast. The director of all the IMAG feeds was SIC's Teotonio Betenardo.