Wairarapa Rockquest finalists lauded

BEST BAND: Winners on the night were Halafaxa musicians Sarah Saunders (left), Luka Francis-Murray, Frank Dickson and Sebastian Vallance. PHOTOS: ANDREW BONALLACK

Students from several Wairarapa colleges performing as a single musical force seized victory at the 2015 Smokefree Rockquest regional finals on Saturday night.

Four-piece Halafaxa won Best Band at the finals - for the first time held at King Street Live in Masterton - out of seven groups and two solo/duo acts vying for a spot in the national finals from throughout the Wairarapa and Tararua districts.

An audience of more than 200 supporters turned out to see the contestants battle it out at the show, which also included a performance from past national finalists and three-time regional contest winners, Vacant City.

Halafaxa first competed in Smoke Free Rockquest last year and in 2015 came back with a 'more unique sound' and a new name, says Sarah Saunders, Halafaxa lead vocalist and St Matthew's Collegiate School student. She credits their success to a year of refinement.

Other members of the alt-rock group are guitarist Frank Dickson, of Wairarapa College, drummer Luka Francis-Murray, of Kuranui College, and bassist Sebastian Vallance, of Rathkeale College.

"We're so excited to win, but it was mainly about the opportunity to play alongside other talented bands. We'll probably go home and have a rest and then be back into it tomorrow."

Second place in the band category went to Chanel College band Ore and third place to Feddy Crabz, of Rathkeale College. Lauren Carr, from Dannevirke High School, won first place in the solo/duo section and also took the APRA Lyric Writers Award.

Second place in the solo/duo section went to Kuranui High School duo Coltq, which comprises Charlotte Penman on acoustic guitar and vocals and vocalist Katarina Topp.

The four top acts walked away with musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops, and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final at Auckland's Raye Freedman Centre on Friday, September 11.

Hineahuone, an all-girl band from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Wairarapa, won the People's Choice Award, from text voting on the night and Hineahuone bass player, Manaia Riwai-Couch, won the Smokefree Award for Women's Musicianship.

Smokefree director Glenn Common said the quality at the Wairarapa finals on Saturday was "outstanding".