Young Bay musicians are hoping to bring the house down at tonight's Smokefreerockquest regional finals.
Top bands along with solo and duo performers from the region will battle it out for a spot in the national finals.
The top two bands are selected to go into the national finalists judging pool and the top two solo or duo performers play off for first and second place, both joining the national final's judging pool.
Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common said the event offered this year's entrants a platform for live performance that built on what they had learned at school.
"The support that contemporary musicians get in schools these days is evident in the number of young musicians who get to performance standard," he said. "Secondary school teachers offer tuition and encouragement, create space for bands and soloists to practise, they come along to support them at Smokefreerockquest and help them to get the most value from the experience of entering Smokefreerockquest - before, during and after."
Georgia Lines, who was the national winner for the solo/duo performer, will guest star at the event at the Baycourt Centre tonight. She was impressed with Joes Van who were to perform in tonight's finals and was looking forward to seeing local talent on stage.
"I'm not sure who else is in the finals this weekend but I'm sure Tauranga has some great artists. They always do." Ms Lines told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend.
She said the rockquest challenge last year gave her a platform to figure out a musical career for herself.
"I met so many incredible people and have been given countless opportunities through it.
"I guess it has given me a glimpse and insight into what the industry is like and affirmed my understanding that it's hard work and determination to get where I need to go."
She would have still chased her dreams to perform on stage even if she had not won the national challenge.
"Because winning it wasn't going to determine if I had made it ... it just moved me one step closer to where I want to go. But without Rockquest, I wouldn't have met the people, the contacts and learned so much about the industry."
The 18-year-old has kept her feet on the ground after last year's success and plans to work in Texas.
"I'm still the same person as I was before the competition, but I guess I have a greater understanding of what sort of artist I want to be. I also have learned so much and I guess it's given me affirmation this is what I'm supposed to be doing."
The national winners' prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners include $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers plus a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package.
Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults, at the door or from Ticketek.
Regional finalists
Ben Mollison - Bethlehem College
Sammie Dudley - Mt Maunganui College
Amelia - Bethlehem College
Talia Dalton - Otumoetai College
Zoe Curtis - Papamoa College
Lily & Samara - Waihi College
Danielle Bradfield - Mt Maunganui College
Fletcher Oxford - Tauranga Boys' College
Velcro - Otumoetai Intermediate
Sector Six - Mt Maunganui College
Joe's Van - Mt Maunganui College
Hogshorts! - Otumoetai College
Elipsis - Tauranga Boys' College, - Aquinas College
The Lost God - Papamoa College
The Phonics - Otumoetai College
Opposed Trend - Whakatane High School
Dreaded Remedy - Trident High School