Smokefreerockquest is the biggest live original music event for young musicians around Aotearoa.
Join us for the highly anticipated pinnacle of New Zealand's premier youth music event - the Smokefreerockquest National Final!
A spectacular celebration of raw talent, creativity, and passion, this event promises an unforgettable evening of sensational performances, electrifying energy, and the finest emerging musical talents from across the nation.
Tickets on sale here - https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/smokefreerockquest-2024-national-final/auckland
This picture is last years overall .nz winner, taken by Lize Deng ( .qiqi) who was in year 13 student at .
Entries are open now for this years photo comp. Stills is your opportunity to showcase your skills & storytelling through imagery.
Be in to win from an epic prize pool worth over $25,000, thanks to . Top student photographers will receive judging feedback from professional photographers.
📷 Head to www.stills.nz for all info and to enter.
Stills is produced by RQP, in partnership with FUJIFILM
We're currently on road for our biggest year yet of Rockshop - our live music event for Primary and Intermediate aged school students. This year we have almost 300 bands performing in venues across the motu.
Last week we kicked off with events in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Gisborne and Otago. It was such a great start to the season, and we can't wait for the events we have coming up over the next few weeks!
The doors rattled, the audience hummed and dust floated on the air in the Taieri College auditorium on Saturday night as 15 bands thrashed it out...
We are so excited to be offering the Chloe Wright Scholarship this year, which is being offered in partnership with the Wright Family Foundation.
This Scholarship Fund will support one student yearly for up to three years of tertiary education at any New Zealand institution for their chosen undergraduate degree.
It is open to students in Y12 or 13 from the Smokefreerockquest Top 30, Smokefree Tangata Beats Top 20, or a regional musicianship award winner is eligible.
This scholarship honours the memory of Chloe Wright. "As far as we can, we want to enable young people to grow to their full potential, to find joy in life. We believe education, in the broadest sense, is the pathway."
Wright's son said Chloe was passionate about helping rangatahi 'realise their potential'.
Tēnā koutou, SFRQ community -
We have an important update for you regarding the line up for the upcoming Smokefreerockquest National Final in Sept.
Apollo has decided to withdraw from the competition due to no longer meeting the conditions of entry. While we won't see them compete in September - we're looking forward to seeing what happens next for Apollo in their journey as a band.
Our judges today have named Lo Carb, Waikato regional winners as 2024 National Finalists.
Haere mai, Lo Carb! We're excited to have you.
Here are your Top 10 National Finalist for 2024:
Bloody Overalls - Otumoetai College
Buzz - Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea
Lo Carb - St Paul's Collegiate School
R67 - TKKM o Ruamata
Rumpus Machine - Long Bay College
The Splinters - Havelock North High School
TopSelf - Manurewa High School
Aisha and Bebe - Otumoetai College
Emerson - Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Kolya Marks - Kuranui College
The Smokefreerockquest 2024 national final will be held on 21 September at SkyCity Theatre.
We are beyond excited to announce the Smokefreerockquest 2024 Top 10 national finalists! Congratulations to all the talented bands that have participated. Every one of you should be so proud of the performance you put on! The talent we have here is truly amazing! Being named Top 10 is no easy task; give yourselves a round of applause!
Without further ado, Top 10:
Bands:
Apollo - Scots College
Bloody Overalls - Otumoetai College
Buzz - Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea
R67 - TKKM o Ruamata
Rumpus Machine - Long Bay College
The Splinters - Havelock North High School
TopSelf - Manurewa High School
Solo/Duo:
Aisha and Bebe - Otumoetai College
Emerson - Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Koyla Marks - Kuranui College
Our Judges also named the following as highly commended:
Blah Blah Uh Ha Boo Hoo - Otumoetai College
Lo Carb - St Pauls Collegiate School
Solace - Garin College & Nelson College
Faith Dick - Central Southland College
Lachlan Platt - Hagley College-Te Puna Wai o Waipapa
Congratulations again to the Top 10! The Smokefreerockquest 2024 national final will be held on 21 September at SkyCity Theatre. If your band has made it through, you will receive an email today with information on the next steps! Keep practising, and best of luck!
Grab your tickets to the National Final here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/smokefreerockquest-2024-national-final/auckland
We are so excited to announce the launch of the Chloe Wright Scholarship, which is being offered in partnership with the Wright Family Foundation.
This Scholarship Fund will support one student yearly for up to three years of tertiary education at any New Zealand institution for their chosen undergraduate degree.
Anyone in Y12 or 13 from the Smokefreerockquest Top 30, Smokefree Tangata Beats Top 20, or a regional musicianship award winner is eligible! We will contact these students directly with more info.
This scholarship honours the memory of Chloe Wright. "As far as we can, we want to enable young people to grow to their full potential, to find joy in life. We believe education, in the broadest sense, is the pathway."
We are so grateful to the Wright Family Foundation for their support, and together we are thrilled to be able to foster pathways for rangatahi into further education & development.
See ya this weekend !
Giveaway in our story 💕
We are thrilled to announce the nationwide Top30 Smokefreerockquest acts for this year's live original music competition. 🎸🎉
Starting with almost 900 acts entered throughout the regional live events and then over 100 acts submitting videos for the Top 30 selection, these acts are truly remarkable. The talent throughout has been overwhelming, and it speaks volumes about the vibrant music scene in our country. 🇳🇿🎶
🌟 The creativity and artistry displayed in this year's competition have blown us away. Earning a spot in the Top 30 is no easy feat, and every single act that participated deserves a massive round of applause 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa ki te eke ki runga toru tekau o Smokefreerockquest!
Bands
Abstract Fish Lungs - Waikato
Apollo - Wellington
Black Tomato Sauce - Otago
Blah Blah Uh Ha Boo Hoo - Bay of Plenty
Bloody Overalls - Bay of Plenty
Buzz - Auckland Central
Crown - Manukau
Daly Waters - Timaru
Eleventh Hour - East Coast
Exodus - Manukau
In Shade - Auckland Central
Lo Carb - Waikato
R67 - Rotorua
Rumpus Machine - North Shore
Solace - Nelson
stupidsaysWHAT - Canterbury
The Haizys - Canterbury
The Splinters - Hawkes Bay
Top Shelf - Manukau
Where's Jai - North Shore
Solo/Duos
Aisha and Bebe - Bay of Plenty
B - Whanganui
Emerson - Auckland
Faith Dick - Southland
Francie Lidgard - Bay of Plenty
Greer Castle - Wellington
Kosta Silich - Northland
Kolya Marks - Wairarapa
Lachlan Platt - Christchurch
Luciella Pessione - Nelson
Each act who submitted for the Top 30 selection (either through placing or second chance) will get feedback sent to them next week.
If you are one of the acts on the list above, you'll receive an email today with information on what happens next.
Get out your calendar - we have some important dates for you!
Smokefreerockquest:
National Top 30 Announcement - 26 July
National Top 10 Announcement - 2 August
National Final - 21 September, SkyCity Theatre in Auckland
Thank you Rockshop NZ!
Get out your calendar - we have some important dates for you!
Smokefreerockquest:
National Top 30 Announcement - 26 July
National Top 10 Announcement - 2 August
National Final - 21 September, SkyCity Theatre in Auckland
This coming August and September, Primary and Intermediate school students will be rocking out in venues throughout Aotearoa in Rockshop Bandquest!
Rockshop Bandquest is a stepping stone for many students to go onto perform their own original material in Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats; or even incorporate live music into their schools Showquest performance!
Entries close on 23 July - but better get in quick as there is only limited space for each event.
More info over at bandquest.co.nz.
Congratulations to the 2024 Pacific Music Awards - NZ finalists!
Alongside their momentous 20th anniversary milestone, this year they are celebrating the highest number of entries in the awards history, resulting in 27 finalists across 13 award categories. 12 of those are first time finalists, which shows the depth of talent as well as the growth in the Pacific music community as we celebrate a new wave of artists coming through.
If you want to head along to the Pacific Music Awards on August 29th, at the Due Drop Events Centre, you can get your ticket here via their website
We're Shining a light on our amazing artists, Profiling each the finalists for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards. Click on artist images for a brief bio on each of our 2024 finalists. All the...
During this year's Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats tour our friends at Gibson and The Rockshop are giving away a very special guitar - a Epiphone Les Paul from Gibson
To enter - all you need to do is head to smokefreerockquest.co.nz and enter with your email address before midnight THIS FRIDAY!
Jed Parsons was in Queenstown to check out the amazing talent at the Smokefreerockquest Central Otago finals.
Tune in for music industry tips, nerve-combatting methods and burrito rapping, in this episode of On The Road!
This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Congratulations to the three bands in the Online Region moving onto national finalist selection!
TomTom - Napier Girls High School
The Lobsters - Takapuna Grammar
Daisy Chain - Whanganui High School
Feedback will be sent out to all of the acts this week, alongside the task for the three bands moving on.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Smokefreerockquest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Smokefreerockquest:
During this year's Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats tour our friends at Gibson and The Rockshop are giving away a very special guitar - a Epiphone Les Paul from Gibson To enter - all you need to do is head to smokefreerockquest.co.nz and enter with your email address before midnight THIS FRIDAY!
Jed Parsons was in Queenstown to check out the amazing talent at the Smokefreerockquest Central Otago finals. Tune in for music industry tips, nerve-combatting methods and burrito rapping, in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Courtney Dawson was back in the South Island, this time in Dunedin, for the Otago regional finals, and what a treat it was! Check out the performances and backstage antics featuring dapper fits, synchronised dancing, and a two-step tutorial in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Comedian Courtney Dawson traversed all the way to the bottom of the motu for the Smokefreerockquest Southland finals in Invercargill. Tune in for pie chats, a whirlwind lesson in how to look cool while playing the drums, and catch your favourite bands and artists in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
ITSYAHYAH was in Whanganui for the Smokefreerockquest Whanganui Finals and she was seriously impressed! Not only were the performances amazing, but she got acquainted with musicians backstage who showed her their hidden talents and introduced her to a famous Whanganui High School phrase. Catch it all in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
During this year's Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats tour our friends at Taylor and NZ Rockshop are giving away a very special guitar - a Epiphone Les Paul from Gibson To enter - all you need to do is head to smokefreerockquest.co.nz and enter with your email address before midnight on 5 July!
ITSYAHYAH was in New Plymouth for the Taranaki Finals, where the performances and energy were through the roof! Along with the backstage banter, catch her bopping and moshing to the best acts in the region in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
If you could invite any musical artist to your dinner party, who would it be? Musician and our friend, Bridges, got to know who inspires the performers she met at the Smokefreerockquest Solo / Duo Finals in Tamaki Makaurau. Check it out, plus catch loads more in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Our pal, comedian Jack Ansett, swung by Wellington to host the region’s heats, and to gain musical knowledge from the talented performers he met along the way. Tune in to this episode of On The Road, where Jack explores his musical abilities by trying his hand at singing lessons and performing a metal cover of a popular children’s song. This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Our friend and musician, Jed Parsons, is no stranger to the Smokefreerockquest Canterbury Heats, having performed in his school years. He’s back to where it all began, checking out the performances, uncovering epic hidden talents, and being confronted by his age through his use of slang. See what Canterbury had to offer in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Actor, musician, and our mate Troy Kingi was in a little town to see some big talent - Carterton - for the Smokefreerockquest Wairarapa Finals! Not only did Troy get to enrich everyone’s vocabulary with his favourite phrase, but he got to witness Wairarapa’s best talent and maybe even experience a poltergeist…in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Pop queen ITSYAHYAH was fangirling her heart out at the Tangata Beats Heats in Tāmaki Makaurau. Energy was high, harmonies were on point, and moves were fire in this episode of Smokefrerockquest’s On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Paige was blown away by the talent she saw at the regional heats in Nelson! Catch bands letting her in on what colour their songs would be, how crowds would dance to their music, and their passion for the cause, bleeding fingers and all! All this and more in this episode of On The Road. This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Napier turned it ON for Drax Project's Ben, who was there to catch the Smokefreerockquest Hawkes Bay regional heats. Tune in to this episode of On The Road for body shaking, mana waving, and of course, head banging goodness! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Drax Project's Sam Thomson was back in Tāmaki Makaurau, this time for the Manukau Regional Heats, to find out who has the best stage moves, the meanings behind band fits, and what record would be the one to take to a deserted island. Check it all out in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Sam Thomson from Drax Project was back in Tāmaki Makaurau for the Auckland Central Regional Heats, chatting it up with the region’s musical talent. Tune into this episode of Smokefreerockquest On The Road to peep some dope merch, witness a human trumpet played, and behold a brief but brilliant roundoff spectacle! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Our friend and pop artist, Paige Tapara, stopped by the Smokefreerockquest Timaru Finals to check out the region’s best performances. Not only was she floored by the acts, but she can now proudly add “cowbell player” to her list of talents. That plus loads more in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Ben O’Leary from Drax Project dropped by Gisborne for the Smokefreerockquest Tairāwhiti Regional Heats, and not only was he floored by the performances, but he got to pick up some tips and tricks from fellow musicians. Maybe next time you catch Ben on stage, he may have a banana on hand…tune into this episode of On The Road to find out why! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
Smokefreerockquest alumni and our friend from Drax Project, Sam Thomson, was at the North Shore Regional Heats to check out what the region had to offer, and he was in for a treat! Feast your eyes on human pyramids, copious head banging, sick kicks, and stank faces in this episode of On The Road! This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air
If you could be an instrument, which instrument would you be? HOLLIE SMITH asks the burning questions while mingling with musicians at the Smokefreerockquest Bay of Plenty Regional Heats in Tauranga! Amidst the nerves and excitement of performing, contestants share their musical styles, favourite songs and secret talents in this episode of On The Road. This series has been made with the support of NZ On Air .
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Smokefreerockquest is New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. The series of over 30 events provides young musicians with the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting, in venues from Whangarei to Invercargill. Smokefreerockquest 2019, powered by Rockshop, aims to motivate young musicians to prove their abilities, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100 percent original New Zealand music. The original founders Glenn Common and Pete Rainey were honoured with the MNZM in 2013, and continue to lead the team that now runs this New Zealand institution. For more information visit www.sfrq.nz
