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Rocking it out for regional finals

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.

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