Bay acts blast into quest finals

Mount Maunganui College band Joe's Van is one of three local acts named in the final 30 for this year's Smokefree Rockquest.

Three of Western Bay of Plenty's best young musical acts have been named among the final 30 to compete in this year's Smokefree Rockquest battle.

Mount Maunganui band Joe's Van, Bethlehem College student Ben Mollison and Otumoetai College student Talia Dalton will make it to the final nine.

There were about 700 entries in the youth music event.

Regional finalists were selected from video footage they submitted.

Smokefree Rockquest founder and director Pete Rainey said selecting the national finalists was always a challenge.

"We're seeing a very high standard indeed from the bands and solo/duos."

The 30 acts will be further narrowed down by a panel of judges from the music industry, and on July 31 there will be an announcement of the final nine acts to compete in the grand final in Auckland on September 11.

The 21 acts not in the final selection will become contenders for the people's choice award, with the winner of the popular vote also competing in the national final.