Four piece band Headroom from Western Springs College was named this year's Auckland Central winners of Smokefreerockquest.
Around a hundred bands and solo/duo performers strutted their stuff at two Smokefreerockquest events over the weekend - the Auckland Central finals and the Auckland solo/duo event.
In front of an energetic crowd at the Dorothy Winstone Centre on Friday night, the four piece band Headroom from Western Springs College was named this year's Auckland Central winners of Smokefreerockquest.
Vocalist and lead guitarist, Theo Salmon said winning the event meant more to him than anything.
"It's made my entire year, it's the best thing and I have no idea how we did it," he said. "I think it was our clear, precise sound."
The year ten students have been playing together since intermediate and although it was their second time in Smokefreerockquest, Theo says this year they really got in to it: "We have more experience now and we gave it heaps."
The other members of Headroom are Finley Parker on bass, guitarist Louis Graham and Isaac Keating on drums.
Second place was One Tribe from Lynfield College. The eleven piece band is made up of Mine Dube on bass, Craig Hebblethwaite drums, guitarists Boaz Competente and Jairah Perida, James Samountry on keyboard, and vocalists Lygia Verhoven, Sarai Mckay, Tialena Evening, Rebecca Gandhi and Toa Peteru.
AUCKLAND REGION SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST SOLO/DUO EVENTS
On Saturday close to 70 artists performed in back to back regional finals of the Auckland solo/duo section of Smokefreerockquest at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre.
Year ten student Campbell MacKenzie from Auckland Grammar, performing as Mac Adams won the final for the combined regions of Auckland Central and Manukau final.
Campbell has performed in Smokefreerockquest three times previously, but this is the first time he has gone solo.
"I find it a lot better without a band as you get to express yourself more as a singer songwriter rather than having to write songs for a band," he says.
Campbell says his acoustic pop sound, with a hint of country, may have stood out from the others because of his different use of chords and the story line of his song.
Second place went to Jemima Clark from Epsom Girls Grammar, and third went to Cam Dawson from Manurewa High School.
Later in the day at the North Shore & West Auckland regional final of the solo/duo category it was first time lucky for Christopher Bates from Kingsway School. Christopher says he only heard about Smokefreerockquest this year and decided to give it a go, although the shy year 11 student didn't tell many people.
"I just told my music teacher, as I was worried the crowd wouldn't like my music," he said. "So I only really had my Dad in the audience."
He says a career in music is definitely what he is going for and his rockquest experience has helped him become more confident.
Second place went to Kaira and Tomai from TKKM o Hoani Waititi and third went to The Wildlings from Kaipara College.
The top two bands and top six soloists (three from each of Saturday's events) win musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final at Auckland's Q Theatre on Saturday 27 September.
Founder and director Glenn Common said from here on the Auckland Central finalists would have to work hard to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.
"They now send in video footage of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final," he said.
"It's a process that demands creativity and musical ability, as well as learning to work together as a group and developing the organisation skills they'll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene."
The full list of awards made on Friday and Saturday:
Auckland central Smokefreerockquest:
Band 1st Place: Headroom, Western Springs College
Band 2nd Place: One Tribe, Lynfield College
Third placed band, winning musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: Vivid, Diocesan School For Girls, Marist College
Lowdown Best Song: One Tribe, Lynfield College
The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national final: George Easton guitarist from Zilch (formerly Simple Impact) Auckland Grammar.
Smokefree Award For Women's Musicianship: Ellie McBurney, guitarist from Vivid, Diocesan School For Girls.
People's Choice voted by text: Vivid, Diocesan School For Girls, Marist College
Combined Auckland Central & Manukau solo/duo:
Solo/Duo 1st Place: Campbell MacKenzie, performing as Mac Adams, Auckland Grammar
Solo/Duo 2nd Place: Jemima Clark, Epsom Girls Grammar School
Solo/Duo 3rd place: Cam Dawson, Manurewa High School
APRA lyric writers' award: Jenna Ackerman, performing as Jenna Jones, Mt Albert Grammar School.
Lowdown Best Song: Cam Dawson, Manurewa High School
People's Choice voted by text: Free Spirit, Diocesan School For Girls
MAINZ musicianship award with the opportunity to win a $4000 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national final: Nathan Rhodes-Hasler, Mt Albert Grammar.
Combined North Shore & West Auckland solo/duo:
Solo/Duo 1st Place: Christopher Bates, Kingsway School,
Solo/Duo 2nd Place: Kaira and Tomai, TKKM o Hoani Waititi
Solo/Duo 3rd place: The Wildlings, Kaipara College
APRA lyric writers' award: Nicola Morrison, Whangaparaoa College
Lowdown Best Song: Rita And Bridie, Massey High School
People's Choice voted by text: NewVana, Green Bay High School
MAINZ musicianship award with the opportunity to win a $4000 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national final: Emma Petersen, guitarist for The Wildlings, Kaipara College