Katchafire to headline Kawerau festival

COMING: Katchafire performing last year. FILE

Kiwi roots reggae artists Katchafire have been announced as the headline act for next month's inaugural Street Legal Festival in Kawerau.

The street art festival is set to run over Waitangi weekend (February 8/9) with Katchafire performing on Saturday, February 8.

It will feature street artists from around New Zealand painting side-by-side, along with live bands, graffiti and street art 'bombing' of a bus, graffiti battles, food trucks, a festival radio station and more.

Festival director Chris Jackson said with the addition of Katchafire, the festival was shaping up to be an awesome weekend of art, music and culture.

More than 20 artists are confirmed for the weekend, including Bay of Plenty favourite Owen Dippie, Beck Wheeler, Cinzah Seekayem, Cracked Ink, Jonny4Higher (a.k.a. Pest5), Mica Still, Wert159, PHAT1 and DIVA.

The festival will merge the hugely popular street art scene with entertainment for all ages. Organisers have made a conscious decision to hold a drug and alcohol free festival.

"We want it to be about the artists, not anything else. That's why we've made the decision not to serve or allow the consumption of alcohol," Mr Jackson said.

Tickets are currently on sale at www.streetlegalfestival.com for $39. For more information see the website or www.facebook.com/StreetLegalFestival.