Band Project Boosts Young Music Hopefuls

Cokesmokefreerockquest Band Partnering Project Boosts Young Music Hopefuls

The crème-de-la-crème of the country’s young musos will perform in their hometowns alongside renowned New Zealand bands as part of an initiative from the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission.

The top two school bands in each region will be mixing it up with hip New Zealand bands and artists such as ‘Bolbox Rex’*, ‘Mother Guru’, ‘Hera’, ‘Wash’, ‘Autozamm’ and former CokeSmokefreeRockquest stars ‘Nesian Mystik’ and ‘The Have’ as part of the judging for this year’s epic event.

As they seek selection for one of the 12 national CokeSmokefreeRockquest semi-final spots, the up-and-coming bands will be paired up with like-minded professionals who will mentor the youngsters, providing them with general tips and pointers and information about the NZ music Industry before performing alongside them at local concerts.

On the tail of a fabulous month-long celebration of New Zealand Music, Project Director from the New Zealand Music Industry Commission, Arthur Baysting, says the band partnering initiative aims to enhance the growth of New Zealand music at grass roots level.

“One reason there’s so much happening in New Zealand music these days is because of the CokeSmokefreeRockquest - mentoring the talent identified at this major youth event will hopefully see New Zealand bands reach even greater international success in the future” he says. Founders and Directors of Rockquest Promotions Glenn Common and Pete Rainey say the band partnering initiative will provide young musos with invaluable experience and goals to guide their success.

“Being given the chance to chat to and learn from, as well as perform alongside musicians they hold in high regard is a great opportunity for the mentored bands,” says Glenn.

This sort of experience is all in keeping with the spirit of CokeSmokefreeRockquest says Region Corporate Affairs Manager at Coca-Cola Oceania Alison Sykora.

“Coke is a major supporter of New Zealand music at all levels and giving young New Zealand musicians a taste of what it’s like to be in the music industry is what the CokeSmokefreeRockquest is all about” she says.

In a record year, over 600 bands from Keri Keri to Invercargill will participate in the event that has been running since the late 1980’s.

The judging of CokeSmokefreeRockquest regional finals will be complete in mid August, after which the 12 semi-finalists will be named who will be culled down to six national finalists that will perform at the final on October 18 in Auckland.

Upcoming CokeSmokefreeRockquest Events:

Fri 20 June Wellington Final @ Wellington Town Hall

Sat 21 June Waikato Final @ Founders Theatre

Sun 22 June Northland Heats

Sun 22 June Napier Heats

Mon 23 June Gisborne Heats

Mon 23 June Manukau Heats

Fri 27 June Manawatu Final @ Regent on Broadway

Sat 28 June Auckland Heats

Sun 29 June Nth Shore Heats

Mon 30 June Tauranga Heats

Fri 25 July Auckland Final @ Dorothy Winston Centre AGGS

Sat 26 July Manukau Final @ venue TBA

Fri 01 August Gisborne Final @ War Memorial Theatre

Fri 08 August Rotorua Final @ Convention Centre

Sat 09 August Tauranga Final @ Mount Sport Stadium

Fri 15 August Northshore Final @ Bruce Mason Centre

Sat 16 August Northland Final @ Forum North

Fri 22 August Napier Final @ Pettigrew-Green Arena

Sat 06 September Smokefree Pacifica Beats National Final - Wellington

Sat 18 October CokeSmokefreeRockquest National Final – Auckland

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