Smokefreerockquest Nelson, North Shore, Auckland, Manukau

Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats 2016 – Nelson heats results

Blenheim teenager Cam Dawson may be the next big Smokefreerockquest success story after taking out the Nelson regional solo-duo title at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night.

Cam is boarding at Garin College this year to focus on his music, and after last night’s win will be working hard to better his second placing in the solo duo section of the Smokefreerockquest 2014 national final.

Cam, who is blind, says Smokefreerockquest has taught him a lot about music.

“I have always believed the competition is a great opportunity,” he says. “I do it because it is such a good vibe, plus I love music and I love people - with Smokefreerockquest you get both.”

Tegen Fisher from Waimea College placed second. These two solo-duos now put 15 mins of their best material together to submit for selection as national finalists.

Founder and director Glenn Common said the standard at the heats just keeps going up as entrants get more support for contemporary music from their schools and have access to on line information resources.

“Between now and the regional final they go through all the aspects that make Smokefreerockquest and Pacifica Beats such valuable learning experiences for young people,” he said. “The 12 bands going on to the finals need to practise hard, craft their set, get their supporters rallied and make good use of networking opportunties and social media to promote themselves and their achievements.”

The bands selected to go on to the Nelson regional final next Friday 20 May, 7pm at the Theatre Royal are:

Outlet Nelson College
Acoustic Knot Waimea College

The Padd Brittz Motueka High School

Lane 3 Nelson College For Girls

The Hoard Golden Bay High School

Coastal Nelson College For Girls

Motion Garin College

RELM Waimea College

Tetra Nelson College For Girls

Future Class Garin College

Slouch Couch Nayland College

Equinox Nelson College for Girls & Garin College

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica beats run from May 13 until July 2, with the top regional bands and solo/duos submitting video footage for selection to play off at the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final on Friday September 23 at the Raye Freedman Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national on Saturday September 24.

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package’ a ‘Decent Exposure’ campaign on The Edge TV, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends.

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, the Dominate Hair Style Award and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

Smokefreerockquest 2016 – North Shore, Auckland Central and Manukau heats results

It was a huge weekend for youth music in Auckland as bands from North Shore, Auckland Central and Manukau played off in the first round of Smokefreerockquest regional heats.

Over ninety bands were entered across the Auckland region, and played in three heats at the Dorothy Winstone Centre across Friday night and Saturday.

Founder and director Glenn Common said the standard at the heats just keeps going up as entrants get more support for contemporary music from their schools and have access to on line information resources.

“Between now and the regional final they go through all the aspects that make Smokefreerockquest and Pacifica Beats such valuable learning experiences for young people,” he said. “The bands going on to the finals need to practise hard, craft their set, get their supporters rallied and make good use of networking opportunties and social media to promote themselves and their achievements.”

The 12 bands selected to go on to the regional finals from the North Shore are:

Shed Takapuna Grammar School
Bosco Kaipara College
Token and the Ghosts Kaipara College
Ultrasound Long Bay College Rangitoto College
O-Boy! Kaipara College
Flintwater Express Kaipara College Rangitoto College
Jocks Rangitoto College
Palliser Rangitoto College Westlake Boys' High School
Renfield Birkenhead College
Altered Blondes Long Bay College Rangitoto College
Skits Rosmini College
The Bad Apples Rosmini College Western Springs College

These bands will compete for first and second place and other awards at the Dorothy Winstone Centre on Friday 10 June. Tickets from NZtix.co.nz

The 13 bands selected to go on to the regional final from Auckland Central are:

Schism Lynfield College
Linway Street Green Bay High School
Miracle Diocesan School For Girls, Auckland Grammar, Sacred Heart College Angels Of Troy Avondale College Green Bay High School
Renegades Diocesan School For Girls
Vertigo Massey High School
The Bleach Boys St Peter's College (Epsom)
Daffodils Western Springs College Kristin School
Save a Stranger Henderson High School, Lynfield College Selwyn College
Moon children ACG Sunderland
Purple Headed Yogurt Slingers Sacred Heart College
Arjuna & The Mix Avondale College
Oath to Azrael Massey High School

These bands will compete for first and second place and other awards at the Dorothy Winstone Centre on Saturday 11 June. Tickets from NZtix.co.nz

The bands selected to go on to the regional finals from Manukau are:

No Destination Pukekohe High School
2120 Pukekohe High School
Cyatic Pakuranga College
Ataxia Kings College
18 Strings Macleans College
Nui Trio Manurewa High School
Haze St Kentigern College (Pakuranga)
Dank Waiuku College
F.O.R.M Alfriston College Alfriston School
Mind Over Matter Rosehill College
BBB Pukekohe High School
Minimal Silence Howick College

These bands will compete for first and second place and other awards at the Dorothy Winstone Centre on Friday 17 June. Tickets from NZtix.co.nz

First and second placed bands from each regional final submit 15 minutes of their best performance on video, to go into the judging pool for the national final. Auckland solo duos will play off at a separate event on Sunday June 12; and there will be a stand alone Smokefree Pacifica Beats for the region on Saturday 18 June.

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica beats run from May 13 until July 2, with the top regional bands and solo/duos submitting video footage for selection to play off at the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final on Friday September 23 at the Raye Freedman Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national on Saturday September 24.

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package’ a ‘Decent Exposure’ campaign on The Edge TV, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends.

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, the Dominate Hair Style Award and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

ENDS

© Scoop Media