SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST 2014 – Southland finals

SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST 2014 – Southland finals on Thursday 15 May

The Civic Theatre will be pumping next Thursday as the top youth bands in Southland play off in the regional final of Smokefreerockquest 2014, and the first event for this year in the 26 year old music contest.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common says what SFRQ offers the entrants on Thursday night is a fully professional setting for their music.

“SFRQ demands a lot from the entrants – they’ve written their songs, practised them, perfected their stage act and sometimes put a lot of effort into visual presentation,” he said. “In return we give them a professional performance environment with lights, sound, projection and technical support in a show that includes a guest band, MC and lots of giveaways. It’s a mix that can set up the passion of a lifetime for performers, and it’s a great night out for the audience who are the first to see the next generation of Kiwi musicians.”

Entries close on May 8 and are still coming in, but in Southland the bands and solo-duos go straight through to the regional finals to play off. Those competing to join the ranks of Kiwi music success at the Southland regional final are:

Prospero James Hargest College

The Philadelphia Experiment James Hargest College

Sweet Antics Southland Girls' High School

The Veldt James Hargest College

These Methane Skies St Peter's College (Gore)

Outside The Box Gore High School

Acetylene James Hargest College

Auxili James Hargest College (Solo/Duo)

Second Intervention Verdon College (Solo/Duo)

Khellsey-Anna Southland Girls' High School (Solo/Duo)

The Southland final is at the Civic Theatre on Thursday 15 May, start time 7pm, tickets $20 from Ticket Direct or at the door.

At the Southland final, first and second place for the solo/duos will be announced, along with awards for the top three bands, the MAINZ Musicianship Award, Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship, Lowdown Best Song, the APRA Lyrics Award and the People’s Choice voted by text.

When all regional heats and finals are complete, the top two bands and solo/duos from each region submit video footage for selection as national finalists to play off in Auckland on 27 September. Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners, that include musical gear to a total value of $13,000 from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers, inclusion on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, radio promotional support, and video play on youth music channel FOUR.

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, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the SFRQ National final.

More info at sfrq.co.nz or facebook.com/thesfrq

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