Hineahuone girls out to make a noise

DEBUT ACT: Hineahuone, the first band from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Wairarapa to make a bid at Smokefreerockquest, will take the stage at the Wairarapa heats this weekend. Hineahuone members include Martine Power-Byl( back, left) Manaia Riwai-Couch, Hinemaurea Edmonds, (front, left), Kanakope Arahanga, and Palais Douglas. PHOTO/KIRI RIWAI-COUCH

An all-girl group from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Wairarapa - Hineahuone - will be the first act from the Masterton school to join battle in the regional showdown of Smokefreerockquest on Saturday.

Glenn Common, competition founder and director, said bands from several other Te Kura Kaupapa Maori schools across New Zealand had competed in past years but Hineahuone - the name for the Maori goddess of death - was the first such group from Masterton to enter the contest.

He said the band had been keen to enter the Smokefree Pacifica Beats contest this year as well and he hoped all Wairarapa contestant acts will benefit from the heats being held this year at King Street Live in Masterton. The contest had been previously held at the Masterton Town Hall since the first Wairarapa heats several years ago.

"King Street Live is one of the premier live entertainment venues in New Zealand and it's a very real venue, it feels genuine, unlike town halls, any town hall, which can feel a little artificial. I hope the bands and acts enjoy the change."

Mr Common said Smokefreerockquest at King Street Live will offer entrants a platform for live performance "that builds on what they have learnt at school", including a professional stage, lights, sound, projection, and technical support in a show that includes a guest band, an MC, and prizes.

The guest band on Saturday will be Masterton pop rockers Vacant City, a band that had been SFRQ finalists, award-winners, and three-time regional heat winners.

Other Wairarapa bands and acts set to compete on Saturday include Before Sunrise, MASHR, Coltq, and Speaking of Daggers from Kuranui College, Freddy Crabz from Rathkeale College, Halafaxa from St Matthew's Collegiate and Kuranui College, Ore from Chanel College, and Little Misery, and Lauren Carr from Dannevirke High School.

The top two bands and two solo duos will be selected from the regional showdown for the national finalists' judging pool, along with awards handed out for the top three bands including the MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) Musicianship Award, Smokefree Award For Women's Musicianship, Lowdown Best Song, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyrics Award and the People's Choice voted by text.

The national Smokefreerockquest winners will walk away with $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package' a Decent Exposure campaign on FOUR, a photo shoot with Thievery Studio, a branding package from Imaginary Friends and the Unleashed Travel ambassador award - a seven day trip to Fiji.

-The Wairarapa Smokefreerockquest final at King Street Live starts at 7pm and tickets cost $10 for school students and $20 for adults each and are available from NZTix.co.nz or at the door.

For more information go online to sfrq.co.nz or facebook.com/thesfrq.