They may be young but they know how to rock - this year's Auckland contestants took the stage over three nights in the Auckland finals of Rockshop Bandquest, the nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students.
Bandquest is in its fifth year as the younger sibling of Smokefreerockquest, and
in Auckland bands from the North Shore, Auckland Central and Manukau played over three consecutive nights at the Dorothy Winstone Centre.
The competition is for bands of two or more members, from intermediate or primary schools, who play a short set of covers or original songs, with a focus on performance skills.
Event coordinator Matt Ealand says this age group is increasingly sophisticated and self-motivated.
"Rather than just forming a band in their music class, they're getting together with like-minded friends, they're practicing outside of school time, using technology to record or promote themselves and showing a real awareness of what it takes to make it in the music industry."
The awards made in Auckland three events are given in order: North Shore & Auckland West, Auckland Central bands and Manukau bands:
First place winning $400 credit with The Rockshop for their school:
Something From Nothing, Northcross Intermediate
Wai Stylez, Waikowhai Intermediate
You're In Treble, Clayton Park School
Second place winning $200 credit with The Rockshop for their school:
White Noise, Murrays Bay Intermediate
Downside Up, Kowhai Intermediate
Just Kedgley III, Kedgley Intermediate
Third place winning $100 credit with The Rockshop for their school:
Crossfire, Northcross Intermediate
The Elements, Avondale Intermediate
P'n'P (Pacific Pride), Koru School
Best original song winning $100 cash for their school:
Brickheads, Takapuna Normal Intermediate
Mokomoko, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori Hoani Waititi
Seven Souls, Manurewa Intermediate
Best original lyrics winning $50 cash for their school:
The Junipers, Northcross Intermediate
The FM Paua Station, Royal Oak Intermediate
Bleached Vinyl, Ponsonby Intermediate
Best female vocalist:
Paula Milto & Ashley Gaines Jinx, Northcross Intermediate
Fresia Pearce & Hinahez Luani, Rewind, Te Atatu Intermediate
Lead singer from Just Kedgley III, Kedgley Intermediate
Best male vocalist:
Teva Dickinson, Something From Nothing, Northcross Intermediate
Jovahn Stanley & Manu Uaisele, Wai Stylez, Waikowhai Intermediate
Mark Gago, You're In Treble, Clayton Park School
Musicianship Award:
Corey Whitcombe, Craze, Northcote Intermediate
Ryan Taei, The Pacific Brothers, Remuera Intermediate
Bronson Ti Poma'a, The Rewa Beats, Manuwera Intermediate
Rockstar Styles award:
Eshloe Roberts, Crossfire, Northcross Intermediate
Clarissa Siddle, Downside Up, Kowhai Intermediate
Ryan Nowacki, Crew 5, Farm Cove Intermediate
'Killer' guitarist award:
Corey Whitcombe, Craze, Northcote Intermediate
Ryan Taei, The Pacific Brothers, Remuera Intermediate
Jimmy, Confusion, Howick Intermediate
Rock-solid bassist award:
System of a Headache, Murrays Bay Intermediate
Luke Dennerly, KMA, TeAtatu Intermediate
Seights, Rosehill Intermediate
Rocking drummer award:
Kayden Unkovich, Fluorodynamics, Huapai District School
Tessa Goffin, Heavens Beat, Remuera Intermediate
Hope Kire, You're In Treble, Clayton Park School
Best keyboardist award:
Angela Chen, Temperamental, Northcote Intermediate
The Forgotten, Wairau Intermediate
Catherine Chang, Echo Burning, Bucklands Beach Intermediate