Fifteen bands from across the Bay of Plenty battled it out on Baycourt stage last night in this year's regional final of Rockshop Bandquest.
Regional finals were a lead up to the nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students.
First place winning $400 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Fifth Element, Otumoetai Intermediate, also won best female vocalist
Second place winning $200 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Caved In, Pongakawa School. Finn Blaymires from Caved In won the musicianship award and best keyboardist award.
Third place winning $100 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Zuhana, Katikati College
Best original song winning $100 cash for their school and best original lyrics winning $50 cash for their school: Vage Aclipse, Kaitao Intermediate
Male vocalist award: Talisha Field from Klassik Kidz, Mokoia Intermediate
Rockstar Styles award: Caleb Leighton, Kaitao Intermediate
'Killer' guitarist award: Paul Baek from Rampage, Mt Maunganui Intermediate
Rock-solid bassist award: Louie Campbell from Zuhana, Katikati College
Rocking drummer award: Seungkwan Kim from Coco Butter, Tauranga Intermediate
Bandquest is in its fourth year as the younger sibling of Smokefreerockquest.
Event organizer Matt Ealand said the performances from this age group mixed sophistication with a lack of self-consciousness.
"They've been watching TV and YouTube, they're aware of what established musicians are doing and they want to emulate them," he said. "But they are not worried about being mocked - they just get up there and give it heaps."
Rockshop Bandquest was for bands of two or more members, from intermediate or primary schools, who play a short set of covers or original songs, with a focus on performance skills.
Rockshop spokesman, Hamish Jackson, said for many of the kids Rockshop Bandquest was the biggest musical moment of their lives so far.
"It's great for us to be part of that, " he said. "Bandquest provides a unique opportunity to intermediate kids, it's all about participation and giving it a go. The kids definitely throw themselves into it and the results have been amazing."
There will be an online national final announcement on Wednesday September 24 at bandquest.co.nz.