Last Call For Cokesmokefreerockquest 2004 Entries
Next week will mark the last chance for school-goers throughout New Zealand to make musical history and get their
entries in to take part in the 15th annual CokeSmokefreeRockquest. Entry forms are available from www.cokefridge.co.nz.
North Island bands have until May 4 to claim a spot in the regional heats underway form early May throughout the
country. South Island entries close today.
Co-director of Rockquest Promotions and Judge Pete Rainey says the emphasis of the six month long event, comprising 40
regional events and culminating in a national final in October, is on encouraging original music.
“Our aim is to inspire raw Kiwi talent by getting as many students as possible writing and performing their own music,
and by providing goals upon which they can focus,” he says.
Seeing music rooms and suburban garages transformed into makeshift concert venues throughout the country and parents,
teachers, and friends become discerning contemporary music critics, the CokeSmokefreeRockquest is New Zealand’s biggest
youth music event.
Rosie O’Connell, the drummer from Christchurch band ‘Starlett’ who made the semi-finals in 2003 and are aiming even
higher this year, says the event has been a highlight of her school years.
“The CokeSmokefreeRockquest lets you learn what it’s like to be in the music industry and perform to a live crowd, but
in a supportive environment where everyone encourages each other,” she says.
Coca-Cola Oceania NZ Country Manager Gareth Edgecombe says providing young New Zealanders with a genuine platform upon
which they can establish and enhance their musical careers is a key focus.
“Coke is committed to enabling youth at grass roots level to create the future sound of New Zealand –
CokeSmokefreeRockquest and http://www.cokefridge.co.nz are important aspects of that promise and we are confident about what these initiatives can achieve for New Zealand
musicians and New Zealand music fans,” he says.
It is expected CokeSmokefreeRockquest 2004 will attract an estimated 600 bands from schools throughout the country, 12
of which will be selected as national semi-finalists.
CokeSmokefreeRockquest 2004 entry forms are available from Coke’s unique new online music portal www.cokefridge.co.nz –
where people around the globe can access fresh Kiwi music and download band profiles and MP3 files.
The exciting new online portal allows CokeSmokefreeRockquest band members to profile their bios online, get in tune with
stellar Kiwi musicians, see updates to the Coke countdown chart, download screensavers, play ‘stack the Fridge,’ read
reviews, and much more.