Rockshop Bandquest 2013 Waikato results

Rockshop Bandquest 2013 Waikato results

Rock music on the small scale was on stage in Hamilton on Wednesday night (November 13) in this year’s Rockshop Bandquest, the nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students.

Bandquest is in its third year as the younger sibling of Smokefreerockquest, and in Waikato attracted 12 entrants who competed at the Clarence Street Theatre, following an afternoon of mentoring. 

Founder and director Pete Rainey says after more than 25 years in youth music production he still gets a kick out of kids’ creativity.

“Bands are just getting better and better at a younger age,” he said. “They’ve got the role models in the Kiwi music industry, they are more confident and are picking up a wide range of cultural influences from the internet…Bandquest is the ideal platform to channel and foster this talent.”

Rockshop Bandquest is for bands of two or more members, from intermediate or primary schools, who play a short set of covers or original songs, with a focus on performance skills.

The Waikato winners are:

First place winning $400 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Nutellica, Taupo Intermediate

Second place winning $200 credit with The Rockshop for their school: The Optic Phase, Fairfield Intermediate

Third place winning $100 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Playback, Marian School

Best original song winning $100 cash for their school: Playback, Marian School

Best original lyrics winning $50 cash for their school: Playback, Marian School

Female vocalist award: Nutellica, Taupo Intermediate

Male vocalist award: The Optic Phase, Fairfield Intermediate

Musicianship award: Keyboardist from Bus Stop, Hamilton West School

Rockstar Styles award: Activ8, Marian School

‘Killer’ guitarist award: Activ8 Marian School

Rock-solid bassist award: Neon, Stanley Ave School

Rocking drummer award: Iconic Force, Te Awamutu Intermediate

Best keyboardist award: Bus Stop, Hamilton West School

Rockshop spokesman, Hamish Jackson, says the nationwide company is firmly behind the benefits of music at this age level

“Bandquest encourages participation and opportunity through music - intermediate kids are talented and very creative and it’s great to see them involved in music at school,” he said. “We hope they continue this musical journey through their Bandquest experience.”

This year over 140 bands have entered Rockshop Bandquest, competing in Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland, with mentoring sessions in the afternoon of each regional event, guest appearances during the judging from successful Smokefreerockquest bands; and on-line entries for bands in outlying areas. There will be an online national final, via You Tube.

Ends

Rockshop Bandquest events to come 2013

Bay of Plenty - 14th Nov, Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga

Canterbury 2 - 14th Nov, Aurora Centre, Christchurch

Otago - 18th Nov, King & Queen's PAC, Dunedin

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