Music the winner

Skinny jeans, cameras, mosh pit, smoke machines, volume and flashing lights were all part of the act at the Clarence St Theatre last weekend.

All in aid of Smokefree Rockquest regional finals on Saturday.

Hamilton Boy's High School band Shift was third in the group band award, as well as lead guitarist Cullen Taylor winning a MAINZ Scholarship for musicianship.

2012 national finalists Sunday Best, from St Peter's College, returNed but had technical difficulties while playing when lead guitarist Charlie Verberne's amp stopped working. He kept his cool and told the band to continue playing; after a few seconds he was back up and gearing.

Despite this the band went away with people's choice award and second for the group band award. All of a Kind Putaruru College band took the band category.

Hillcrest High School's band Beautiful Shambles played some hard-core rock. Solo artist Harry Parsons, from Cambridge High School, was first in the single/duo category and also topped the award for best song. Duo PDJ was second for the single/duo category.

Reuben O'Suileabhain, from Morrinsville College band 5 Rupee, won best lyric writer award with Beach House.

Kaleesha Messent , Situation Vacant drummer, won best female musicianship award.

Each band was asked what they would do if they won the national finals and the answers ranged from 'celebrate, tour around the world, record in a studio, live the dream, make music and even work toward world peace'.