The 12 Northland finalists - H.K.A from Broadwood Area School and Panguru Area School, Weevils from Rodney College, Jinx from Springbank School, Denial from Kerikeri High School, Mad Gravity from Whangarei Girls' High School and Huanui College, The Pastie Boys from Tauraroa Area School, Theoretically Impossible from Kerikeri High School, LIVEWIRE from Mahurangi College, A08 from Kamo High School, Room 44 from Whangarei Girls' High School, Mic's Mates from Huanui College and JKA zzz from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga - won through after heats in May.
"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," 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."
Rainey said in regional cities the Smokefreerockquest final was often the year's biggest youth gig.
The 12 bands will play off for the top two places and other awards at Forum North. The top two bands will send in 15 minutes of video for selection to go into the national finalists judging pool. The guest band on Saturday is Alien Weaponry.