Smokefree Pacifica Beats - 2015 National FInal Results

Smokefree Pacifica Beats - 2015 National Final Results

Ten-piece soul-funk band Reciprocate from Manukau’s Alfriston College, took out this year’s Smokefree Pacifica Beats on Saturday night (Sept 12) at Auckland’s Raye Freedman Centre.

Smokefree Pacifica Beats drew just on 100 entries this year, with bands and solos required to reflect the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The judges were Feleti Strickson-Pua (Nesian Mystic), K’Lee McNabb (Mai FM) and Jeff Newport (NZ on Air).

Reciprocate’s members are Sheldon Rua (keyboard), Jacob Kauri (drums), Joel Singsam (keyboard), Pauline Tuia (lead vocals), Taualoa Lemalu (vocals), Eunique Ikiua (vocals), Precious Tusega (vocals), Wayne Pagaialii (bass), Zaire Ugapo (rhythm guitar) and Marcus Patea (vocals/rap).

Judges’ spokesperson K’Lee McNabb said it was amazing for such a big band to bring so many elements so many together: “They had showmanship, they were entertaining, they used the full stage and they executed their vocals with great skill - they are a really tight group and they have come a long way since the regional finals a few months ago.”

Sheldon Rua from Reciprocate said the band had worked so hard, that to win was ‘surreal and overwhelming’.

Second place went to Alien Weaponry, a three-piece metal band from Bream Bay College and Otamatea High School, Whangarei, whose members are brothers Lewis de Jong (guitar/vocals), Henry de Jong (drums) and Ethan Trembath (bass). They also took second place in Smokefreerockquest on Friday night.

The Recorded Music Solo/Duo Award, $1000 went to One and a Half Men, a duo from Campion College, Gisborne, brothers Liam (guitar, piano, drums, vocals) and Ronan Wallace (vocals, drums, ukulele), who perform a rhythm and blues, reggae, pop, alt, native mix.

The full list of awards made on Saturday night was:

1st place winning musical gear to the value of $3,000 from NZ Rockshops, a $10,000 song and video package from NZ On Air and performance spots at some of the 2015/16 Auckland summer festivals: Reciprocate from Manukau’s Alfriston College

2nd place winning winning musical gear to the value of $1500 from NZ Rockshops plus performance spots at some of the 2015/16 Auckland summer festivals: Alien Weaponry, Bream Bay College and Otamatea High School, Whangarei

The $5,500 MAINZ Scholarship for outstanding musicianship: Teia Drysdale from Napier Girls High School

Smokefree Mana Wahine Award, $1000 cash: Scarlet Manners (vocals), Taniwha, from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi Marae, Auckland

APRA Lyric Writers Award, $500 cash: Liam Wallace from One and a Half Men from Campion College for his song, Whakatu Mai Ra

Smokefree Best Vocals, $1000 cash: Tiresa Foma'i, Blue Rhythm, Porirua College, Wellington.

Youth Performance Trust (YPT) Native Reo Award, $500 cash: Alien Weaponry, Bream Bay College & Otamatea High School, Northland

NZ Music Commission Best Song Award, $500: Taniwha, from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi Marae, Auckland

Recorded Music Solo/Duo Award, $1000: One and a Half Men, Campion College, Gisborne

More information at smokefreepacificabeats.co.nz or facebook.com/SFPBeats

ENDS

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