Three make it to finals

SFRQ founder and director Pete Rainey

Three Northland high school acts are in the running to make it to the final of Smokefreerockquest after 30 were named in the running for the finale of the country's largest musical competition.

There were just on 700 entries in this year's only nationwide, original youth music event, with regional finalists from 23 regions - including Whangarei and the Far North - sending in their video footage for selection to play off at the national final in Auckland on September 11. By the end of the month the 30 will be whittled down to six, who will then take part in the national final, in Auckland.

Alien Weaponry, with members from Bream Bay College and Otamatea High School, came second in the Whangarei final, but have made it into the final 30 ahead of the Whangarei winners Moccacino. Back 2 back, from Kerikeri High School and Elsa Meier, a singer/songwriter from Springbank School have also made it into the final 30.

SFRQ founder and director Pete Rainey said selecting the 20 bands and 10 solo acts/duos to be in with a chance to be national finalists was always a challenge.

"With support from their schools, great role models on the Kiwi music scene and a lot of creativity and dedication, we're seeing a very high standard indeed from the bands and solo/duos at this level of the event," Rainey said.

"It highlights that there's a lot more to Smokefreerockquest than just writing a song. They need the whole package - songwriting, performance and presentation, which is realistic preparation for making a career in the music industry."

The 30 bands and solo/duos will be further narrowed down by a panel of judges from the music industry, and on July 31 there will be an announcement of the final six bands and three solo-duos to play off at Epsom Girls Grammar on September 11. The 21 acts not in the final selection will become contenders for the People's Choice, with the winner of the voting campaign competing as the 10th act in the national final.