Fifty one bands contesting Rockquest heats

Smokefreerockquest 2013 starts in the Waikato on Sunday when local high school bands face off at Clarence St Theatre from 1pm.

The national Smokefreerockquest final is at Hamilton's Claudelands Events Centre on September 22.

Sunday's heats, which are among 45 heats throughout the country, involve 51 bands and individuals chasing a place in regional finals.

A dozen bands will progress to the regional finals at Clarence St Theatre on June 29.

Hillcrest High is well represented with six entries from the Beautiful Shambles and Tom Dench to ZiFire and MiriamMay.

Hamilton Boys' High has two entries with Hamilton Girls' (Cardboard Kings and Division of 5) and four other combinations with other schools.

St Peter's School, Cambridge, has five - Red Nite Sky, Elliott Harris, The Fact, Lisa Hawkins and Kaboom entered.

Organisers expect close to 800 bands to enter involving 3000 aspiring musicians. The link between Smokefreerockquest and New Zealand Music Month is significant, says founder and director Pete Rainey.

"We're into our 24th year and it's the enduring nature of the event that makes its role in Kiwi music so significant - for some people it's a springboard to huge success, while for others Smokefreerockquest is a tool in their roles as music's unsung heroes," he says.

"I'm talking about the likes of Kimbra acknowledging us as part of her success story, right through to the music teachers who use this event as a prime motivator for at-risk students."

More at sfrq.co.nz or facebook.com/thesfrq. Heat tickets $10 at the door.