Smokefreerockquest heats heads to Rotorua

Now in its 25th year, New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, all original youth music competition is about to kick off in Rotorua, with the heats scheduled for 3pm Saturday 18 May at Rotorua Convention Centre. Tickets $10, available at the venue.

Around 700 entries are expected to go through regional heats and finals in 23 towns from Invercargill to Whangarei. Founder and Director Glenn Common says while much has changed in the 25 years that SFRQ has been running, there are some things that remain the same:

"The enthusiasm of young people for their music, and the way they respond to having a platform to perform to their peers is one of the constants," he says. "These days they can put their video clips up on Youtube, but that hasn't taken the thrill out of getting up on stage in front of a real live crowd."

The Rotorua bands performing at the Convention Centre on Saturday are:

Loft, Western Heights High School

Burning Skies, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Zenith, Rotorua Lakes High School

Toi Toi Tree, John Paul College, Rotorua Lakes HS

Kingdom, Western Heights High School

ABN, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College, Rotorua Boys’ HS

Undecided, Rotorua Lakes High School

Aftershock, Western Heights High School, John Paul Coll

Puoro Kaupare, Tarawera High School

Out Of Tunar, Western Heights High School

4ward, Western Heights High School

Monique Doig, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Bianca, John Paul College

Ruby Solly, Western Heights High School

Marcus Crowe, Lake Taupo Christian School

Title, Rotorua Girls' High School

Lucy Campbell, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Azura, Reporoa College

Liana, Tauhara College

Sarah Chilvers, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Ellie Redmond, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Emily-Jane, Western Heights High School

This year there are separate categories for solo/duo acts and bands. The top two solo/duos will be announced at the heats. They will play off at the regional finals and will both go into the judging pool for the national final.

"We’ll have regional winners in the solo/duo section and the band section, and the same at the national final," Glenn explains. "There will be more winners and more prizes and it means neither category will feel overlooked."

Glenn says this change has been made in response to comments from entrants and teachers, and brings SFRQ more in line with NCEA assessments where bands are assessed separately.

The regional events run every weekend until 13 July, then the top regional bands and solo/duos submit videos for selection as national finalists. Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners, that include musical gear to a total value of $13,000 from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers, inclusion on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, radio promotional support, and video play on youth music channel FOUR. There is also the MAINZ Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, the APRA Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award and the Skinny People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the SFRQ National final.

More info at sfrq.co.nz or facebook.com/thesfrq

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