Pluto, Raw Collective and more for Whanganui Walls music fest

Wellington 10-piece Raw Collective will fill the stage at Majestic Square on March 20. Photo / Supplied

The long-awaited return of the Whanganui Walls street art festival this month also brings with it a day and night of free music at Majestic Square.

Acclaimed Auckland five-piece Pluto will headline the event, due to run from 1.30pm to 10pm on Saturday, March 20.

Pluto were originally booked for last year's event that was canned as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and other returning acts from last year's line-up are Licks, Dartz and Damn Raucous Brass.

Pluto released their long-awaited fourth album in 2019. Photo / Supplied

After an almost 10-year hiatus, Pluto reformed and released their fourth album IV in September 2019.

Organiser Charlotte Melser said it was a "great and eclectic line-up", with both local and national bands taking part.

"There's definitely something for everyone," Melser said.

"We have Skilaa playing this year, who are a six-piece band from Auckland.

"They are actually quite hard to pin into one singular genre and they pull a lot of inspirations from all over the place.

"They're a soulful, upbeat band, so that's going to be super fun."

Skilaa will travel from Auckland to take part in Whanganui Walls. Photo / Supplied

Two other fresh additions are rockers Bad Hagrid and 10-piece live hip-hop band Raw Collective, both from Wellington.

"Raw Collective have just released a really good new album, and for them to add Whanganui Walls to the end of their tour is great," Melser said.

"Bad Hagrid are fantastic too, and they have a bit of local pull because two of them are Whanganui guys.

"The line-up certainly pulls on the alternative, artistic heartstrings of this town.

"All the murals will be getting pretty close to finished by Saturday as well, so it'll be the perfect opportunity to wander around the centre of town and check out their progress."

The event is open to people of all ages (children must be supervised) and it's free to attend. Food will be available from Gracias and La Bella, and a bar is also in the process of being confirmed.

Organiser Charlotte Melser says the 2021 line-up has something for everyone. Photo / Supplied

Melser said it felt great to be back organising events again after a little while away on "baby hiatus".

"I've been a little bit of action since I exchanged The Citadel [cafe and restaurant] for twins, but I have a pretty broad events background.

"I love doing them, and they are always in my life somewhere."

The full Whanganui Walls festival runs from March 18-21.

For more information, go to www.whanganuiwalls.com