Relaxed atmosphere at Whanganui outdoor concert

A group of friends, including Tonia Martin (rear), kicks back at the Pauls Rd Live concert. Photo / Stuart Munro

Pauls Rd on the outskirts of Whanganui East was lined with cars as crowds flocked to the an annual outdoor concert there on March 3.

The Pauls Rd Live concert at Dean and Marian Butler's property is in its eleventh year. Bands this year were expected to include Bullfrog Rata and the Troublemakers, Whiskey Mama, Reset, The Blues Buffet and Andy Anderson and Tripsplat.

An outdoor stage was set up and by 2.30pm two bands had played and Auckland band Burn the Bridges was just starting. People were spread out across lawns, and under trees, umbrellas and gazebos.

Tonia Martin and her group had brought food, alcohol and comfortable chairs and they were settled in for the duration.

They weren't sure what to call their group - perhaps The Party People, or Winos of Whangas, The Hooters, The Misfits or Middle Aged Spread.

Martin was especially looking forward to hearing The Replicants and a blues band that she said was amazing last year. It's the fourth year she's been to the concert, and she thought it was bigger than usual.

She was planning to get up and dance, and said the day was one of the big events of her Whanganui summer.

She's hoping the concerts will keep happening, and said the mood was good and the weather always perfect.

The concerts have always raised money for charity, and usually for Whanganui families whose children are being treated for cancer. Last year it made $6000 in ticket sales, which was distributed to four families.