SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST 2018 – Nelson finals on Friday May 18

SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST 2018 – Nelson finals on Friday May 18

The Theatre Royal will be pumping next Friday as the top youth bands in Nelson play off in the regional final of Smokefreerockquest 2018.

The top 12 bands to play off were selected at heats held earlier this month.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common says Smokefreerockquest offers the entrants on Friday night a platform for live performance that builds on what they have learnt at school.

“The support that contemporary musicians get in schools these days and the framework provided by NCEA is evident in the number of young musicians that get to performance standard,” he said. “Secondary school teachers offer tuition and encouragement, create space for bands and soloists to practise, they come along to support them at Smokefreerockquest and help them to get the most value from the experience of entering SFRQ – before, during and after.”

The professional performance environment includes a stage set up with lights, sound, projection and technical support in a show that includes a guest band, MC and lots of giveaways.

SFRQ founder and director Pete Rainey said in regional cities the Smokefreerockquest final is often the year’s biggest youth gig and ‘a major influencer’.

“We’re really proud that our association with Smokefree has been part of a huge social change in New Zealand over the three decades. It’s absolutely a real thing that the number of young kids smoking has dropped and we’re right behind the idea of making NZ Smokefree by 2025.”

Those competing to join the ranks of Kiwi music success at the Nelson regional final are:

Verbatim Waimea College

The Recliners Nayland College

Blind Eye Waimea College

Odd Socks Nelson College for Girls & Garin College

Equinox Nelson College for Girls

The Unreliables Waimea College

Shut up Connor Waimea College

Solasta Nelson College For Girls

Elysian Waimea College

Acoustic Knot Waimea College

Scarface and the Codfish Nelson College & Waimea College

The People’s Jury Nelson College for Girls

The Nelson final is at the Theatre Royal, start time 7pm, tickets $10 for school students and $20 for adults from TicketDirect or at the door.

Nelson-Marlborough’s top solo/duos Brooklyn Scott, Garin College and Chloe Vitale Marlborough Girls’ College were selected at the heats. The two top bands from Friday night join them in submitting footage for selection as finalists to play at the Smokefreerockquest national final on Saturday September 22.

The live events run from May 5 until July 6, and most regions will also be filmed for the hugely popular 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

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