This year, Whanganui Walls extends its brush beyond the visual, with a one-day music festival on Saturday, March 21. We’re calling it Whanganui Walls of Sound.
Whanganui Walls of Sound is free to all, all ages before 9pm (18+ from there on), and held in Majestic Square, with music from midday till late. Follow the event on facebook, or see signage in the square on the day for set times of your favourite artist - they may play earlier than you think!
PLUTO:
After almost a decade away, iconic New Zealand band Pluto are back, Beloved for their layered, anthemic rock songs like ‘Dance Stamina' and ‘Long White Cross,’ the band are bringing these, and their brand new full-length album, 'IV', to Whanganui for a rare visit to drummer Mike Franklin-Browne’s home town.
DR REKNAW:
Dr. Reknaw is a seven piece psychedelic supergroup with roots in funk, soul, hip-hop and dub. Beginning with two sisters as an acoustic duo, producing beautiful close knit harmonies, Dr. Reknaw has grown into an empowering groove-machine, sharing messages of connectedness to the whenua and to our fellow humans.
Based in Wellington, the Doctors can be found administering their musical medicine all around Aotearoa, and we're excited to host them in Whanganui.
ORCHESTRA OF SPHERES:
Born out of Wellington’s experimental sound scene, Orchestra of Spheres have developed cult followings in New Zealand and around the world, from Iceland to the International Space Station. Channeling ancient future funk from outer space, the band bring experimentation and and visual ecstasy into all areas - be they costume, concept or concerts.
LINEN:
Linen are a Wellington based trio playing brutalist, unhinged and acidic rock and roll that weaves dynamically around hypnotic guitar, vocal and bass melodies.
DAMN RAUCOUS BRASS
Heavily influenced by the music of another great river city - New Orleans, Damn Raucous Brass pay homage to these traditions, while drawing on Whanganui’s own rich tradition and talent pool for rhythmic brass with spectacle.
DARTZ:
They may call themselves 'just four boys trying to get on the Nature's Best 2CD compilation,' but really DARTZ are more than that. With a love of honest, direct pop songs, and a visual aesthetic based on the comics of singer and lyricist Danz, DARTZ take on the best and worst of our culture, in a powerful live show that is winning them fans in their adopted home of Wellington and beyond.
HYPERCULTE:
Hyperculte is a minimalist transpop prekraut postdisco duo band. Hyperculte was formed in 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. Melancholic and nostalgic danse for a poetic trans. or the contrary....Hyperculte is continuously trying to open hearts at all costs.
AL B DAMNED A.K.A LICKS
Licks is the electro-pop project of Whanganui local Al Reid, who is also known for his podcast, You’re gonna die in bed and its incredible collection of grooving, hook-laden fake ads.
ANTHONIE TONNON
Interested in the fluid boundary between organic and synthesized sound, Anthonie Tonnon performs on a Synthstrom Deluge - an electronic instrument designed in Wellington, and a storied, 1968 semi-hollow body guitar. When not playing at Whanganui Walls of Sound, he can be found playing a custom show for planetariums, or chartering trains for his yearly Rail Land tour.
