The Smokefreerockquest was hosted at Kavanagh College auditorium on Saturday, with about 300 people attending the performances.
Founder and director Glenn Common said while Smokefreerockquest was a competition, the environment at the heats was very supportive, with the emphasis on participation.
''Some entrants will no doubt go on to success in the Kiwi music industry, but for most of the young musicians Smokefreerockquest is all about the experience of performing live on stage in a professional set up, meeting others who share their passion for performing music,'' he said in a statement.
During May and June more than 650 bands and solo/duos across the country are going through regional heats and finals in 24 towns.
The Otago final is at Sammy's, on June 19. The two top bands will go to the national finals in Auckland on September 11.
Regional finalists
Bands: The Freakz (Taieri College), Like a kid (St Hilda's Collegiate School), Sycamore (Logan Park High School), Six Years (John McGlashan and Kavanagh College and King's High School), Twisted Logic (St Hilda's Collegiate School), Alex and the Lads (Taieri College), Zodiac (Taieri College), Kosha (John McGlashan College), Beats Per Minute (Taieri College), 28 Fifty (King's High School)
Solo/duos: Two of us (Taieri College), Josh and the Giraffe (King's High School).
