Conjuring up name just the start for budding rock stars

Every band needs a name, which is one of the first challenges faced by young Smokefreerockquesters.

In Rotorua, 'Jars' and 'Something in the Attic' feature among the 33 bands who will play off at the Rotorua Convention Centre from 12.30pm on Sunday.

Running for 26 years, New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original youth music competition will put an expected 3000 young people through regional heats and finals in 24 towns from Invercargill to Kerikeri.

Founder and director Glenn Common said for many of the entrants it will be their first time on stage in front of audience.

"When you're in front of an audience you get an immediate response, it's a two-way exchange of energy and it's even more personal when you're playing your own songs.

"Audience reaction may cause some bands to falter but others may play better than they ever thought they could."

The Rotorua bands performing at the Convention Centre on Sunday are:

Sophie Mae (Tauhara College), Keighley and Dan (Western Heights High School), Michaela Pointon (Tauhara College), Jun Lee (Rotorua Lakes High School), Monique Doig (Taupo-nui-a-Tia College), Mikaela Haysham (Tauhara College), Ellen and Rose (Western Heights High School), Dan Merwyn (Tauhara College), Jordan Hapeta (Rotorua Boys' High School), Azura (Reporoa College), Liana Harris (Tauhara College), Jivyde and Benedict (Taupo-nui-a-Tia College), Bayley Howard (Rotorua Girls' High School), JARS (Rotorua Girls' High School), Jisoo and Hannah (Western Heights High School), Sam and Aroha (Rotorua Lakes High School), Ailafo and Sfax (Western Heights High School), Need a Hero (John Paul College), lyric3 (Western Heights High School), Project Loz (Western Heights High School), Kingdom (Western Heights High School), Venice (Rotorua Lakes High School), Something In The Attic (Western Heights High School), Elysion (Western Heights High School), KKL (Tauhara College), Th0ll (Western Heights High School), Sly Dog (Western Heights High School), Colours (Western Heights High School), Birds of the Balcony (Forest View High School), 40 Watts (Reporoa College), TBC (Mokoia Intermediate), Revival (Western Heights High School), Double Sure (Taupo-Nui-A-Tia College).

The top 10 bands and two solo/duos selected at the heats will compete at the Rotorua final at the Convention Centre on June 19. Tickets are $20 at Ticketmaster.

At regional finals the two solo/duos will play off for first and second place, and both go into a judging pool for the national final, along with the top two bands. The regional events run until July 4, then the top regional bands and solo/duos submit video footage for selection as one of six bands and three solo/duos to do battle at at the national final at Auckland's Q Theatre on September 27.

For more information visit the website sfrq.co.nz or facebook.com/thesfrq.