Smoking hot rock contest

Teen musicians across the Western Bay will play out their dreams of rock stardom at BayCourt tonight.

The 12 acts taking centre stage in the Smokefree Rockquest regional finals cover the musical genres, with bands competing from most secondary schools in the area.

Tauranga Boys’ College band Kuriosity (from left) Cameron Buchanan (bass), Finlay Martin (vocals), Max Bellamy (drums) and Callum Smith (guitar) compete at tonight’s Smokefree Rockquest regional finals. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Among those vying for success on the stage is four-piece Tauranga Boys’ College ‘Scunge’ band Kuriosity.

Lead singer Finlay Martin describes the group’s style as a blend of grunge and rock and says its songs are about being true to yourself.

Finlay says the group, which only formed in February, is excited about competing at the regionals and have been rehearsing hard to make the most of the opportunity.

“It’s a great way to get our band out there and for people to see us for what we are.”

Boys’ College Year 13 student Isaac Andrews has also been practising hard for the regionals where he is doing a solo performance – a change from the last year when his band Eyes of May took second place.

Tauranga Boys’ College has students performing in four acts, a feat which music teacher Brenda Oakley describes as “fantastic”.

“I think it’s one of our bigger years. It’s really encouraging for all music students to see this level of success.”

Brenda says the students have been practising hard to “tighten up” their performances, and all were feeling comfortable performing on stage.

The SmokefreeRockquest has been a launching pad for many successful musicians since it was launched 24 years ago, with recent success stories including Kimbra, Midnight Youth, Opshop and Ladyhawke.

The two top bands at the regional finals will have a chance to compete at the national finals in Hamilton if a video of their performance impresses the national judges. Only eight bands will play at the national finals from a pool of more than 50 bands which played in the regionals.

Bands competing at the regional final from 7pm are:

When we get home (Otumoetai College, Tauranga Boys’ College)

Isaac Andrew (Tauranga Boys’ College)

Sunday Best (St Peter’s School - Cambridge)

SamIam (Mt Maunganui College)

The MSix (Aquinas College)

Six Gun Quota (Katikati College)

Kevin Kang (Otumoetai College)

Georgia Lines (Bethlehem College)

The Fallen (Aquinas College)

Planet Miranda (Otumoetai College)

RPM (Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga Boys’ College)

Kuriosity (Tauranga Boys’ College)