Rotorua band wins Pacifica Beats

Lukas Wharekura Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua band Strangely Arousing has hit the big time after last night taking out the Smokefree Pacifica Beats 2013.

The Western Heights High School school band scooped the top prize at the prestigious event held in Auckland.

They win a song and video package from NZOA worth $10,000, MusicWorks vouchers worth $3000, performance spots at Raggamuffin and Pasifika Festivals 2014 and a six-month management package worth $5000.

The band's members are: Lukas Wharekura (vocals, guitar), Shaun Loper (bass), Oliver Prendergast (drums ), Forrest Thorp (trumpet ) and Liam Rolfe (trombone, backing vocals)

Some of the members are also in Rotorua band Aftershock, which is in the Smokefreerockquest finals tonight.

See Monday's Rotorua Daily Post for more details.

PACIFICA BEATS 2013 FULL RESULTS:

1st Place - STRANGELY AROUSING from Western Heights High School

2nd Place - REVIVED RHYTHM from Avondale College

Native Language Award - REVIVED RHYTHM Avondale College

Smokefree Mana Wahine Award - NGAHUIA Opihi College

Smokefree Best Vocals Award - JUNIOR TUILOMA (LUPE) Papatoetoe High School

MAINZ Muscianship Award - JOHANN WARD (March into April) Alfriston College

APRA Songwriter Award - STRANGELY AROUSING (Skar) Western Height High School