Alex and the Lads band members Casey Pike (16, left), on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, and Connor Sutherland (17), on bass, both of Taieri College, perform at the Smokefreerockquest Otago regional final at Sammy's, in Dunedin, last night.
The band - which also includes Peter Spence (drums) and Alex Glennie (lead guitar) - beat 11 rivals to be named this year's Otago winner of Smokefreerockquest.
Second place in the band category went to Sycamore, of Logan Park High School, comprising Oliver Robson (bass), Jasper Holloway (lead guitar) and Rani Cohen (drums).
Third place was taken by Like a Kid, comprising Mackenzie Hollebon (drums), Tessa Forde (guitar), Mia Knott (bass) and Jamie Mackenzie (lead guitar and vocals), of St Hilda's Collegiate School.
Two of Us members Haze Harrington, of Taieri College, and Renee O'Brien, of Kaikorai Valley College, were first in the solo/duo section, followed by Josh and the Giraffe members Joshua Larkins and Rowan Latton, of King's High School.
The top two bands and solo/duo acts will join the rest of the national finalists to compete for the 2015 title in Auckland on September 11.
The Apra Lyric Award at last night's regional final went to Jasper Holloway, of Sycamore, of Logan Park High School, while the Lowdown Best Song Award went to Taieri College's Beats Per Minute.
The Smokefree Award For Women's Musicianship went to Mackenzie Hollebon, the drummer from Like a Kid, of St Hilda's Collegiate, and the People's Choice Award went to Like a Kid.
The Mainz musicianship award went to Renee O'Brien, Two of Us, of Kaikorai Valley High School.
