GisInt band destroy at Bandquest

Gisborne Intermediate band The Destroyers won the regional Rockshop Bandquest at the weekend. On stage at the War Memorial Theatre they are, from left, Millie Snodgrass (keys) Bob Smiler (drums) Grace O’Connor (vocals) Daniel Tuisano (bass) and Jack Buchanan (guitar). Individual band members won awards too —Grace O’Connor for best vocalist (shared with rappers from the Tolaga Bay Area School band) and Daniel Tuisano, for “rock-solid bassist”. Picture supplied

Gisborne Intermediate band The Destroyers took  first prize in the regional Rockshop Bandquest competition at the weekend, captivating both the judges and audience with their performance.

Bob Smiler, the  band’s drummer, said he was shocked they’d won because during their last song he dropped his drumsticks, but tried to keep calm and kept going. He was proud of his band’s performance and shared a small piece of advice — “no matter how many times you muck up, just keep going”.

Young musicians in Tairāwhiti took the spotlight to showcase their talent in the 13th annual Rockshop Bandquest, the nationwide live music competition for intermediate and primary students.

The programme is run by RQP (Rockquest Promotions), also known for their music and performing arts youth events — Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Showquest. For the first time in 2023, Rockshop Bandquest was presented by The Wright Family Foundation.

This year, Tairāwhiti saw an impressive turnout of 11 bands, at the War Memorial Theatre.

Co-founder and director Glenn Common says the benefit of participating goes far beyond just the event day.

“Rockshop Bandquest is a fantastic opportunity for these young musicians. The bands must work together, each playing their part to achieve a shared goal, developing not only their musical and performance skills but also their teamwork, communication, and leadership abilities.”

Around 300 bands took part in Rockshop Bandquest this year, in events held across the country from August 22 to September 3. The tour included five events in Auckland, one each in Hamilton, Tauranga, Hastings, Wellington, Palmerston North, Gisborne, Nelson and Dunedin, three events in Christchurch, and an online region for student bands based outside a location holding an event.

Regional winners are invited to submit a video of them performing for the online national final. Results will be announced on September 21.

Prizewinning bands won credit for their school to spend at The Rockshop.

Results

The Destroyers, Gisborne Intermediate, 1; Back2Front, Ilminster Intermediate, 2; Flames of Fire, Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui, 3.

Additional awards

Wright The Best Original Song: Iron Babies, Ilminster Intermediate.

Best vocalist (joint winners): Grace O’Connor, The Destroyers, Gisborne Intermediate; and Waimana Rikki Gray and Bejhon Kaitai, The Nastys rappers,Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui.

Musicianship award: Cornelia Boyd of Back2Front, Ilminster Intermediate.

Rockstar Styles award:  Kauri Sadlier, ECS vocalist, Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui.

Killer guitarist award: Indigo Ruifrok, Back2Front, Ilminster Intermediate.

Rock-solid bassist award: Daniel Tuisano, The Destroyers, Gisborne Intermediate.

Rocking drummer award (joint winners): Isis-Cole Sidney-Kernohan and Aniwa Manuel Mikaio, Kuranui,  Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui.

Best keyboard player: Hinemaia Reedy, Back2Front, Ilminster Intermediate.