Best band beat glitch

Rachel Hall, from the winning band Back 2 Back, switched to guitarist Rawiri Webb's microphone when hers failed mid-song.

The winners of the Far North Smokefreerockquest final didn't miss a beat when their lead singer's microphone failed mid-song.

Far from denting their performance, the band's response - with the guitarist filling in for the singer, the singer switching to the guitarist's microphone, and the bass player changing places on stage - proved Back 2 Back's professionalism and cemented their grip on the trophy.

Image 1 of 20: Te Rina Kahle from Whangaroa College won the best song award for a heart-felt song about a family member's experience of domestic violence.

The Kerikeri four-piece was one of 16 high school bands, solo acts and duos contesting Sunday night's music challenge at the Turner Centre. The band came second last year and won the Northland final before that.

Guitarist Rawiri Webb put their success down to the fact they had been playing together for six years.

"We're all whanau. We've been together a long time."

The other members are Rachel Hall (vocals), Manawa-kaha Webb (drums) and Ryan Evans (bass). Rachel also won for best female musicianship.

The hotly contested solo/duo section was won by Elsa Meier of Opua. The Springbank School pupil only took up music two years ago; when her bandmates moved away she carried on solo.

One of the more powerful performances was by Te Rina Kahle from Whangaroa College, who sang about a family member's experience of domestic violence. She won the prize for best song.

Kerikeri band Purple Minded was voted people's choice. Their guitarist, Simon Halliday, won the Mainz musicianship award.

The two top acts in the band and solo/duo categories now have to submit a video of 15 minutes of original music to have a chance of being selected for the national finals.

Results: Best band: 1. Back 2 Back, Kerikeri High; 2. Cypress, Kerikeri High/Bay of Islands College; 3. Volume 1, Whangaroa College. Best solo/duo: 1. Elsa Meier, Springbank School; 2. Guy Yarrall, Kerikeri High. Best musicianship: Simon Halliday, Kerikeri High. Women's musicianship: Rachel Hall, Kerikeri High. Best song: Te Rina Kahle, Whangaroa College. Best lyrics: Danielle Hookway, Kerikeri High. People's choice: Purple Minded, Kerikeri High.