They may be young but they sure know how to rock – this year's Bay of Plenty contestants took the stage in this year's regional Rockshop Bandquest.

The nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students took place on Wednesday.

Bandquest is in its eighth year as a talent feeder for Smokefreerockquest, and in the Bay of Plenty attracted 14 keen bands who competed at Otumoetai College.

Event organiser Matt Ealand says the performances from this age group mix sophistication with a lack of self-consciousness, enhanced by the supportive framework of Bandquest.

'They've been watching TV and YouTube, they're aware of what established musicians are doing and they want to emulate them.

'Rockshop Bandquest is a confidence builder that lifts their game musically, and they tend to take that with them to high school, with proven benefits socially and academically.”

The Bay of Plenty results are:

First place winning $400 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Revolution Radio, Mount Maunganui Intermediate.

Second place winning $200 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Output, Tauranga Intermediate.

Third place winning $100 credit with The Rockshop for their school: GreVouS, Greerton Village School.

Best original song winning $100 cash for their school: Good Morning Good Night, Mount Maunganui Intermediate.

Best vocalists: Feedback, Mokoia Intermediate.

Musicianship award: Flynn Cranston, Audioquake, Katikati College.

Rockstar Styles award: The Sherbet Lemons, Matamata Intermediate.

‘Killer' guitarist award: Michael Van Lieshot, Output, Tauranga Intermediate.

Rock-solid bassist award: Cody Henry, Beautiful Nightmare, Mount Maunganui Intermediate.

Rocking drummer award: Hunter Ross, Purple Tornadoes, Otumoetai Intermediate.

Best Keyboardist award: Maea Wikohika and Pearani Input, Tauranga Intermediate.

Rockshop spokesperson, Hamish Jackson says for many of the kids Rockshop Bandquest is the biggest musical moment of their lives.

'It's great for us to be part of that,” he says.

'Bandquest provides a unique opportunity to kids at this stage, it's all about participation and giving it a go. The kids definitely throw themselves into it and the results have been amazing.”