The entries are in and the venues are booked as the Smokefreerockquest and its sister event Smokefree Pacifica Beats get under way for 2014.
The events will be launched at a music industry function at Auckland's Back Beat Bar on Tuesday, May 13, where last year's winners Waikato singer-songwriter Harry Parsons, Taupo indie band A Bit Nigel and reggae line-up Strangely Arousing will show the level of talent, skill and performance that is demonstrated in these two live original music contests.
Founder and director Pete Rainey said Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats offer an experience with wide-ranging benefits.
"Kids are so enthusiastic about playing contemporary music they don't realise the advantages they're gaining from learning a musical instrument and the way the discipline, skills and brain development will benefit every one of their other subjects."
"There's more and more research showing the positive effects of learning to play an instrument, and Smokefree-rockquest and Pacifica Beats open this up to all kids, no matter what their family background or financial circumstances," Mr Rainey said.
