Manukau band wins the Rockshop Bandquest

Manukau band wins the Rockshop Bandquest - Nelson award winner

Eight-piece soul-funk band ‘You’re in Treble’ from Manukau’s Clayton Park School took first place in this year’s Rockshop Bandquest, the nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students. They won $3000 credit with Rockshop for their school, and will have one of their songs professionally recorded.

Judge Matt Warman, the bass player from Midnight Youth, said it’s a good sign of the times that kids are starting to play music and perform on stage at a really early age.

“The talent was unbelievably good, with all the regional finalists from around the country consistently strong, which made judging really tough,” he said. “The bands showed maturity musically and aesthetically - they really know what is cool and they are authentic.”

The members of ‘You’re in Treble’ are Ngahuia Maeva, Mark Gago, Hope Kire, Alyssa Bailey, Shania Ioane, Tayla Chase, Mione Jinapun and Brodie Phillips, in a line up of three keyboards, lead guitar and drums. Their teachers are Ese Aumalesulu and Waipounamu Silbery.

Warman said the standout factor for the winning band was their attitude: “They are the full package - strong musically and with a real presence on stage. They gelled well, complemented each other and sounded like a natural band.”

Second place, winning $1000 in Rockshop credit for their school, went to Wai Stylez from Waikowhai Intermediate, Auckland and third placed, winning $500 Rockshop credit for their school was Cosmic Latte from Chisnallwood Intermediate in Christchurch.

Bandquest is in its fifth year as the younger sibling of Smokefreerockquest, and attracted 170 entrants who competed in eight centres. The competition is for bands of two or more members, from intermediate or primary schools, who play a short set of covers or original songs, with a focus on performance skills.

The full list of awards
1st Place: You’re In Treble, Clayton Park School, Manukau
2nd Place: Wai Stylez, Waikowhai Intermediate, Auckland
3rd Place: Cosmic Latte, Chisnallwood Intermediate, Christchurch
Female Vocalist: Huia Shortland, from Stealth, Whangarei Intermediate
Male Vocalist: Paula Fakaosi, rapper from Carpe Diem, Berkley Middle School, Waikato
Killer Guitarist Award: Will Harley, Guitarist from Crowded, Nelson Intermediate
Rock-solid Bassist: Soni Tu’uefiafi, from Wai Stylez, Waikowhai Intermediate, Auckland
Rocking Drummer Award: Nathan Roland, from Generation Z, Hilltop School, Bay of Planty
Best Keyboardist: Ben Meneghini, from Armaggedon 2.0 , Monrad Intermediate, Manawatu
Musicianship Award: Huia Shortland from Stealth, Whangarei Intermediate

ENDS

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