Smokefreerockquest 2018 Manukau finals and Auckland Smokefree Tangata Beats heats results
Pocket-Ture
The future of Kiwi music was has a strong Pacifica flavor going by this weekend’s youth music action at the
Smokefreerockquest Manukau regional final on Friday night and Smokefree Tangata Beats heats on Saturday.
Eight-piece neo-soul group Pocket-Ture from Aorere College took out first place at this year’s Manukau
Smokefreerockquest final at the Auckland Girls’ Grammar Dorothy Winstone centre on Friday night. Bass player Isaac Tuuga
says the band came into the competition with the goal of having great time.
"Being on stage felt fantastic... just having fun with friends and doing what we're passionate about," said the
16-year-old. "Winning is great, but now we just want to focus on continuing to grow as a group."
The band is made up of Tylah Samaeli on lead vocals, Valerie Veiao, Jesica Siva, and Ethan Tekeu on back-up vocals,
Isaac Tuuga on guitar, David Toloa Fuimaono on drums, Andrew Karima Alani Faiai on keyboard and John Pio on bass. John
Pio also received the MAINZ Musicianship award.
Second place in the band category went to Mit Eldnar from Manurewa High School. Front man Sonatane Kaufusi won
Smokefreerockquest in the solo-duo category last year. The line-up is Sonatane Kaufusi on vocals and keyboard, Wayne
Guttenbeil on bass, Finau Fuluvai on drums, Joseph Oti-George on guitar, and TJ Televava on keyboard.
These two acts win musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops, and have the opportunity to gain selection for the
national final of Smokefreerockquest.
On Saturday the action shifted to Smokefree Tangata Beats, where the solo-duo award went to soul and RnB duo Silika & Gabby (Silika Isaia and Gabby Saapuea) from Papatoetoe High School. They perform with Silika singing and Gabby on
piano.
With some advice to future Smokefree Tangata Beats participants, Silika thinks the key is being true to who you are.
"Expressing individuality through song is really important," said the 16-year-old singer, "every song has a message to
share, so give it a go and don't be afraid."
Second place went to ‘meds and troy’ (Merania Paraone and Troy Broadley) from Kaipara College.
Smokefree Tangata Beats event director Matt Ealand said the heats results pointed to a very strong final to come on
Saturday June 23 (also at AGGS, start time 7pm).
“These young musicians are highly motivated and committed – they can see the huge future ahead with success stories like
the 2016 winners of Smokefree Tangata Beats, Te Reo metal band Alien Weaponry, now with a number one album in the NZ
charts.”
The Smokefree Tangata Beats bands selected to play off at the Auckland final are:
Pocket-Ture, Aorere College
S.I.P., Kaipara College
Exodus, Manurewa High School
Usos By Rhythm, Papatoetoe High School
Tribe 801, Wesley College
Doubt It, Otahuhu College
TM13, Papatoetoe High School
Meraki, Massey High School
Kadex, Pukekohe High School
e toru - wha kororia, Kaipara College
Majesty, Alfriston College
Mit Eldnar, Manurewa High School
The top regional bands and solo/duos submit footage for selection as finalists to play off at the Smokefreerockquest
national final on Saturday September 22 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland, preceded by the Smokefree Tangata
Beats national final on Friday September 21.
The live events run from May 5 until July 6, and most regions will also be filmed for the hugely popular SFRQ webisodes
(sfrq.nz), fronted this year by NZ’s ‘First Bloke’ Clarke Gayford.
Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that
includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, a photo shoot and branding
package from Imaginary Friends. There is also the Musicianship Award, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right
Association) Lyric Award, Best Song Award, Smokefree Vocals Award, Fatboy Style Award, and the ZM People’s Choice.
Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest over its 30-year history include Broods, Leroy Clampitt, Kimbra, Aaradhna,
Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Marlon Williams, Brooke Fraser, Anika
Moa, Chelsea Jade, Nadia Reid, Aldous Harding, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga,
and The Naked and Famous. Smokefree Tangata Beats standout successes include Alien Weaponry, Strangely Arousing Nesian
Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.
Ends