Scores of upcoming young musicians of Tairāwhiti will perform in this year’s Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats regional heats at the Lawson Field Theatre this afternoon and evening.
The competition, now in its 36th year, is held nationwide in 21 regions. from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Some familiar faces returning this year are Girls’ High band Nga Rau Mahara, Boys’ High band Turanga Tane Rebels and Pray 4 Summer, a combined group from Boys’ High and Campion College. More than 30 bands and three solo-duos from schools across the East Coast are participating in the heats.
They will experience a full set-up with stage lighting, a live-sound engineer, a projected backdrop, technical support and full stage set-up, with an MC running the show.
Smokefreerockquest is run simultaneously with Smokefree Tangata Beats, which has a focus on the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific. This event follows a similar format, but entrants are asked to explore and celebrate the ways in which identity and culture can be woven into the contemporary music they are writing.
The Tairāwhiti heat event will determine the winning Smokefree Tangata Beats act for the region, and the Smokefreerockquest first and second place regional solo/duos.
Twelve acts will be selected from today’s event to perform at the regional final on June 24 at the War Memorial Theatre.
The top-placing acts in the region will then be invited to submit a video submission for national finalist selection.
The regional events run through May and June. The Smokefreerockquest national final will be in Auckland’s Q Theatre on September 16, the day after the Smokefree Tangata Beats national final held at the same venue.
Event general manager Matt Ealand says participating in the Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats programmes has a positive impact far beyond the event day for all of the young musicians.
“Through the process of preparing their performance they are developing their musicianship, song-writing and performance skills, as well as learning to communicate their ideas effectively. This is building important skills in self-expression,” he said.
Ealand has been working with Rock Quest Promotions for the last two decades, providing creative arts opportunities outside the classroom.
“For the bands and duos, this is a collaborative process that requires the young people to work together and learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, building important skills in leadership and teamwork,” he said.
Entrants
Tangata Beats
Junior Pelea, Tolaga Bay Area School
The Resurgence, Tolaga Bay Area School
Turanga Tane Rebels, Gisborne Boys’ High School
Regvae, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Villi, Tolaga Bay Area School
Nga Rau Mahara, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Rising Revolution, Tolaga Bay Area School
The Feijoa Five, Tolaga Bay Area School
The Wilderpeople, Tolaga Bay Area School
Smokefreerockquest solos/duo
Edie & Eruera, Ilminster Intermediate
Willow & Azailia, Gisborne Girls’ High School
R & D, Lytton High School
Smokefreerockquest bands
Constellation, Ilminster Intermediate
Various States and the C’s, Wainui Beach School, Makauri School, St Mary’s Catholic School Alter 3go,Gisborne Girls’ High School
The Generators, Ilminster Intermediate,Wainui Beach School, Gisborne Intermediate, Gisborne Boys’ High School
Nothin Else, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Divas, Ilminster Intermediate
BlackOut, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Iron Babies, Ilminster Intermediate
NSRB, Gisborne Boys’ High School
R1ft, Lytton High School
Strikerz, Ilminster Intermediate
Pray 4 Summer, Gisborne Boys’ High School and Campion College
Midnight Riff, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Ant, Ilminster Intermediate, Lytton High School, Gisborne Intermediate
Kisum, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Fire Hydrant Water Hose, Gisborne Boys’ High School
X-it, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Suburban hood guys, Lytton High School
Reminiscm, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Dad’s Garage, Gisborne Girls’ High School
CLCS, Gisborne Boys’ High School
Where’d Micah Go?, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Let’s Slow Down, Gisborne Boys’ High School
Eleventh Hour, Gisborne Girls’ High School
Newsflash, Gisborne Girls’ High School
■ Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats heats, Lawson Field Theatre, today, 4pm. Door sales, $10 students, $14 adults.