Head down and support the next generation of Bay musicians when the Smokefreerockquest 2015 Regional Final hits Baycourt on June 27.

It'll be one of the biggest nights of the year for youth music in the region with the top 17 bands and solo/duo performers each looking to book their spot at the national finals in September.

The Smokefreerockquest 2015 Bay of Plenty Regional Final taking place on June 27 will feature a special performance from 2014 solo/duo category national winner Georgia Lines. Photo: File

From next weekend's regional final the top two bands and top two solo/duos will be selected to go into the national finalists' judging pool.

It will also a special performance from guest artist Georgia Lines who was the national winner of the solo/duo category in the 2014 Smokefreerockquest.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common says the event offers the entrants a platform for live performance that builds on what they have learnt at school.

'The support contemporary musicians get in schools these days is evident in the number of young musicians that get to performance standard,” says Glenn. 'Secondary school teachers offer tuition and encouragement, and create space for bands and soloists to practise.

'They come along to support them at Smokefreerockquest and help them to get the most value from the experience of entering SFRQ – before, during and after.”

The national winners' prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers plus a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package'.

This is on top of a ‘Decent Exposure' campaign on FOUR, a photo shoot with Thievery Studio, a branding package from Imaginary Friends and the Unleashed Travel ambassador award – a seven day trip to Fiji.

Competing at the Smokefreerockquest 2015 Bay of Plenty Regional final are:

Bethlehem College: Ben Mollison, Amelia.

Mt Maunganui College: Sammie Dudley, Danielle Bradfield, Sector Six, Joe's Van.

Otumoetai College: Talia Dalton, Hogshorts!, The Phonics.

Otumoetai Intermediate: Velcro.

Papamoa College: Zoe Curtis, The Lost Gods.

Waihi College: Lily & Samara.

Tauranga Boys' College: Fletcher Oxford, Elipsis.

Aquinas College: Elipsis

The Bay of Plenty Smokefree Rockquest regional final is at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre on Saturday, June 27, from 7pm. Tickets cost $10 for students, $20 for adults from Ticketek or at the door.