Tauhara top of pops

STOKED: Arron Cole (left), Shamus Mckeown, Cheyne Tweeddale and Mal Paynter won the Smokefreerockquest band section with their band The Turners. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

Taupo's Tauhara College has came out on top at the Smokefreerockquest, winning the band and the solo/duo category in the Rotorua regional final.

Thirteen bands, soloists and duos from the region gave their all at the Great Lake Centre in Taupo on Friday night.

Mal Paynter, lead singer for the winning band The Turners, said the band did well last year but this time they really worked on their stage presence.

"This year I cut loose - we also added more technical elements and changed it up a bit and really got the crowd involved," he said.

"I think everyone tonight played mean, we involved the audience and we just got up and did what we love."

Xumonk from Western Heights High School came second in the band category.

The members of Xumonk are Tamar Anstice (vocals), Liam Bennett (synthesizer) and Lili Meihana (guitar, vocals).

Xumonk also won the Lowdown Best Song and their guitarist picked up the Smokefree Award For Women's Musicianship.

Michaela Pointon, a Year 10 student from Tauhara College, placed first in the solo/duo section. Michaela said this year she was "way more" confident compared with last year.

"I had to work hard to get my confidence up but I have been performing at cafes around Taupo and busking and that has helped. I also used my stomp pedal and I loved it," she said

Michaela loves indie and folk music but said she had her own pop style.

Jun Lee, from Rotorua Lakes High School, placed second in the solo/duo category and also won the MAINZ musicianship award.

These four acts won musical gear from NZ Rockshops, and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final at Auckland's Raye Freedman Centre on September 11.

The Turners and Xumonk will submit video footage for selection as one of the six bands to play off in the national final. Judging is from 50 to 60 bands and also includes Rockshop Second Chance, an opening for established bands (playing regular gigs) who don't feel they played their best on the night.

Jun Lee and Michaela Pointon will go through the same process, with only three solo/duo artists from the regional final heading to the national final.