Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats 2016 – Nelson heats, Saturday 14 May.

Blunt Force Trauma and Slouch Counch are just a couple of the high school bands from Nelson entered in this year’s Smokefreerockquest heats coming up this Saturday, 7pm at the Theatre Royal.

The Nelson bands and solo-duos are among 2500 young people who will compete during May and June in 20 towns from Dunedin to Whangarei in New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, all original, youth music competition.

Founder and director Glenn Common said the heats give all entrants the experience of performing live on stage, in a professional performance setting.

“It’s a supportive atmosphere among their friends and whanau, but walking out on stage to perform live certainly means they bring out their best,” he said. “Smokefreerockquest provides a benchmark, offers inspiration, airs different ideas and helps entrants to identify their strengths and weaknesses – in time to make some changes as they hone their performance for the regional finals.”

This year students can enter in the solo/duo section as well as being part of a band; and they can be considered for Smokefree Pacifica Beats at the SFRQ heats if their performance fulfils the required Maori and Pacific elements.

The winner of the solo/duo section will be announced at the regional heats along with the top 12 bands to go ahead to the regional final on Sat May 20 at the Theatre Royal at 7pm.

The bands competing in Nelson are:

Waimea College Tegen

Nelson College For Girls Tetra

Nayland College Slouch Couch

Nelson College For Girls Coastal

Waimea College Lost Potential

Garin College Eidolon

Waimea College Aumento

Waimea College Ensemble

Waimea College RELM

Waimea College blunt force trauma

Nelson College Jake Wills

Garin College Cam Dawson

Waimea College Stone Cold Sober

Waimea College Unmasked

Nelson College Nameless

Nayland College Indigo Levett

Golden Bay High School The Hoard

Nelson College Outlet

Tickets $10 at the door, under-6 years and teachers free.

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica beats run from May 13 until July 2, with the top regional bands and solo/duos submitting video footage for selection to play off at the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final on Friday September 23 at the Raye Freedman Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national on Saturday September 24.

This is the 26th year that Smokefree has held the naming rights for Smokefreerockquest. The Health Promotion Agency credits the event with helping to create a sense of belonging for students to their schools, other students and their communities, as well as helping them to develop new skills and aspirations for their futures.

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package’ a ‘Decent Exposure’ campaign on FOUR, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends.

There is also the MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) Scholarship for Outstanding Musicianship, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award, the Dominate Hair Style Award and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest over its 27-year history include Broods, Leroy Clampitt, Kimbra, Aaradhna, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Cairo Knife Fight, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Kora, Thomston, Midnight Youth, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and The Naked and Famous; Smokefree Pacifica Beats standout successes include Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.

ENDS

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