Fourteen musical acts are set to compete at the Whanganui final of the 2017 Smokefreerockquest this weekend.
High school bands, duos and solos from Whanganui will play off for first and second place prizes and the opportunity to go into the judging pool for the coveted eight spots at the national finals in September.
Smokefreerockquest founder and director Pete Rainey said at this level some entrants are already showing the stand-out factor that could see them achieve music career success.
"It's fascinating for us to look back at success stories like Kimbra, Evermore and Broods where we could see the star factor right back at the regional level," Mr Rainey said.
"Saturday night's event gives a new cohort of bands the opportunity to take their obsession with music and develop the organisational and stage craft skills that will help them become another Kiwi music success."