SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST 2016 Hakes Bay Region Finals (Sat 18 June)

It’s the big night of the year for aspiring young musicians as the Smokefreerockquest Hawkes Bay regional finals play off at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Saturday, 18 June.

High school bands from Hawkes Bay competed in heats earlier this month and now the top 12 bands are set to play off for first and second place prizes and the opportunity to go into the judging pool for the coveted six spots at the national finals in September.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common says at the regional final level some entrants are already demonstrating the stand out factor that may see them achieve music career success.

“The benefits of coming together, meeting fellow musicians and playing to a live audience can’t be overstated,” he said. “Becoming a performing artist is not a one-day project – it’s a long road until you’re writing the sort of songs that help to shape a nation’s identity as some past Smokefreerockquest winners like Anika Moa and Jason Kerison have done.”

The bands taking their shot at Kiwi music success on Saturday night, 18 June at the Napier Municipal Theatre, start time 7pm, tickets from Ticketek are:

Headlock Havelock North High School

The Youth Theory Napier Girls' High School

Fyveyes Napier Boys' High School

Jupiter Taradale High School Sacred Heart College

Unmasquerade Napier Girls' High School
Critical Theory Napier Boys' High School

Precious Years Havelock North High School

Regal in Black Napier Girls' High School

Horizon Hastings Boys' High School

The Heck Havelock North High School

CEMystery Central Hawkes Bay College

Ommiam Havelock North High School

The top two bands will send in 15 minutes of video for selection to go into the national finalists judging pool. They’re joined by Mia Sohnge from Taradale High School and Jake Dunn and Hayden Robertson from St John’s College (performing as Power Plug) who were selected as the two solo/duo winners for Hawkes Bay at the heats held last month.

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica beats run from May 13 until July 2. The Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final is 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.

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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