A concert next month will bring together two bands who haven't played in Wanganui for about 30 years.
Hello Sailor and Mi-Sex were both popular in the late 1970s and early '80s, and they will be the headline acts for The Fallen, a concert to be held in the War Memorial Hall forecourt on December 27.
Other acts lined up for the concert are Ash Graham from Wellington plus six Wanganui acts - L40, Sin City, Greenfloor, My Damned Kind, The Black Trio and The Wicca Bees.
Organisers Paul "Fletch" Christian and Paul Sheahon said the name of the concert came from its location outside the War Memorial Hall and in front of the cenotaph.
"It also refers to the fact that both bands have significant members who have fallen," Mr Christian said.
Dave McArtney from Hello Sailor died suddenly last year, while Mi-Sex's frontman Steve Gilpin died following a car crash in 1992.
The idea for the concert began when Mr Sheahon and Mr Christian arranged for Johnny Elliffe from Heartlandz Entertainment to bring the Herbs to play at the Royal Wanganui Opera House.
Mr Christian showed Mr Elliffe around Wanganui, with the aim of looking at potential concert venues. Mr Elliffe is also the manager of Hello Sailor and Mi-Sex, and he saw the possibility of bringing them to play in Wanganui.
"It fits in with the kaupapa of Heartlandz, and that's bringing good quality music to New Zealand's heartland," Mr Elliffe said.
Mr Sheahon said in the '70s and early '80s Wanganui used to be a venue for many of the country's biggest rock acts.
"I remember when Mi-Sex used to play at the Rutland Arms," he said.
"We'd like to see Wanganui get back on the map so that bands start coming here again."
The trio hope the concert will become a regular post-Christmas event.
A covered stage will be set up at one end of the War Memorial Hall forecourt, underneath the cenotaph.
Mr Sheahon said the concert would require considerable logistical organisation, with the entire area - from Watt St to Queens Park - to be fenced off.
"It will be a fun event, but we want it to be safe. We won't tolerate any stupidity."
He said Whanganui Police and Wanganui District Council were supportive of the event.
Tickets have just gone on sale for The Fallen. Earlybird tickets are available for $30 until November 30, and thereafter for $50. They can be purchased from www.thefallen.co.nz, from 16 Victoria Ave, or from the Riverside Bar in Taupo Quay.
The concert is R18.