Eleventh Hour band claims victory in Smokefreerockquest Tairāwhiti regional final

A jubilant Eleventh Hour snapped after they had placed first in Saturday night’s Smokefreerockquest Tairāwhiti regional final. From left, singer Grace McVey, keyboard player Eva di Bella, bass player Pila Rick and drummer Julia Flyger. Picture supplied

Girls’ High band Eleventh Hour’s exhilarating performance helped them secure first place in this year’s Smokefreerockquest Tairāwhiti regional final at the War Memorial Theatre on Saturday.

The venue was almost at full capacity with parents, teachers, and students there to support their friends and contestants. The loudest cheer and applause was, however, reserved for the winning four-piece band for their display of fine musicianship.

Speaking to the Herald, guitarist and singer Grace McVey, described their win as “extremely unreal”, as she wept  “tears of happiness”.

“We were hoping we would place, but we really didn’t expect to come first,” Grace said. “I was praying to the music gods when they were announcing the standings and my head almost exploded from the sound of the crowd and our families when we placed first.”

On the day, the Girls’ High band performed two original compositions —  It’ll Be Alright and This is My Mind.

Grace said their first song was  about the worries that consume one’s mind but regardless of what happens, at the end of the day there was always a brighter side.

Their second song, she says, was about teenage romance, excitement, and worries mixed into a “fun little song.”

As her team’s main songwriter, Grace credits her team members Pila Rick on bass, keyboardist Eva Di Bella and drummer Julia Flyger for providing valuable inputs and support to make their songs sound more wholesome.

“I guess all our good luck and hard work paid off. We are so grateful and super excited for the next stage.”

Her bandmate, drummer Julia  Flyger, took home the musicianship award for her outstanding drumming skills.

“I think a lot about music,” Julia said.  “It’s just about practising and feeling and knowing what sounds good. It’s about being yourself and not worrying about what other people are thinking.”

Another Girls’ High band, Dad’s Garage, placed second in the band category.  The five-piece band impressed both the audience and judges with their set and provided one of the most complete performances in the regional finals.

They join solo-duo winners for Tairāwhiti, Junior Pelea from Tolaga Bay Area School, and R & D from Lytton High School. All now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 10 national finalists to play off at Auckland’s Q Theatre on September 16.

The Smokefree Tangata Beats winners for Tairāwhiti were Turanga Tane Rebels from Boys’ High who placed first for their groovy and catchy sonic notes, followed by Girls’ High band Ngā Rau Mahara who put up a brave show, performing as the last band, and without their usual drummer.

Earlier in the day they had performed at the NZCT chamber music contest regional final in Wellington, and flew back to get home in time for the rockquest competition.

They now go into the selection process for the national final of Smokefree Tangata Beats, at Auckland’s Q Theatre on September 15.

For founder Pete Rainey, participating in the arts can have a big positive impact on young people.

“The arts in education play a huge role in helping our young people to face the future with a set of skills that give them flexibility, creativity, ability to cooperate and work in groups. Skills they can apply in life wherever it takes them.”

The full list of awards for Tairāwhiti is:

Band 1:  Eleventh Hour, Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Band 2: Dad’s Garage, Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Band 3: Turanga Tane Rebels, Gisborne Boys’ High School.

Solo/Duo 1: Junior Pelea, Tolaga Bay Area School.

Solo/Duo 2:  R & D,  Lytton High School.

Best Vocals: Grace O’Connor of Ant from Ilminster Intermediate, Lytton High School and  Gisborne Intermediate.

Musicianship: Julia Flyger (drums) of Eleventh Hour from Gisborne Girls’ High School and Roy Thomas (drums) of The Generators from Ilminster Intermediate, Wainui Beach School and Gisborne Intermediate.

ZM Best Song: Turanga Tane Rebels , Gisborne Boys’ High School.

APRA Lyric Writers’ Award: Teifi Clarke and Mia Rose, Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Tangata Beats

Band 1: Turanga Tane Rebels,  Gisborne Boys’ High School.

Band 2:  Ngā Rau Mahara, Gisborne Girls’ High School.