Smokefreerockquest 2016 – East Coast finals results

Four piece rock punk band The Search from Gisborne Boys’ High School and Lindisfarne College took out the East Coast regional final of Smokefreerockquest in front of a sold-out crowd at War Memorial Theatre on Saturday night.

After their fourth year of entering Smokefreerockquest, drummer and backing vocalist Kyle Hannah put their win down to their energy on stage.

“We stuck to what we practiced. We wanted to perform to an audience so we got our friends down the front to get a mosh pit going,” he said. “We had the time of our lives up there and really enjoyed it.”

The other members of The Search are Ethan Hannah (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Kees Albers Connolly (lead guitar and backing vocals) and Ben Allan (bass and backing vocals).

Wahine Toa from Gisborne Girls’ High School placed second. These two bands win musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers. They now submit 15 minutes of their best material for selection as national finalists; along with Rose Campbell from Wairoa College and Niamh Athy from Gisborne Girls’ High School who placed first and second in the East Coast solo-duo section announced at the regional heats last week.

Founder and director Glenn Common said from here on the East Coast finalists would have to work hard to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.

“They have to submit video footage of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final,” he said. “This process not only demands musical ability and creativity, they also learn to work together as a group and to develop the organisation and promotional skills they’ll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene.”

The full list of awards made on Saturday was:

Band 1st: The Search from Gisborne Boys’ High School and Lindisfarne College

Band 2nd: Wahine Toa from Gisborne Girls’ High School

Solo/Duo 1st (announced at heats): Rose Campbell from Wairoa College

Solo/Duo 2nd (announced at heats): Niamh Athy from Gisborne Girls’ High School

Band 3rd: Kurawaka from TKKM O Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti

Smokefree Pacifica Beats Award: Kurawaka from TKKM O Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti

APRA Lyric Award: Elle Williams from Ludus for “Ocean Sky” from Gisborne Girls’ High School

Lowdown Best Song: Grey Nebula from Gisborne Girls’ High School

Smokefree Vocals Award: Ruawhaitiri Mahue from Kurawaka from TKKM O Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti

Dominate Style Award: Shadows In The Darkness

People’s Choice voted by text: Kurawaka from TKKM O Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti

The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national final: Kyle Hannah, drummer from The Search from Gisborne Boys’ High School

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica beats run from May 13 until July 2, with 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.

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 The Edge TV, 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, Smokefree Vocals Award, the Dominate Style Award and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

ENDS

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