Bands battle for place in finals

Logan Park High School band Solid Merit, the winner of last year's regional final returned to defend their crown, from left Cathy Zheng (16), Alex Baeumer (17), Abe Baillie (17), Finn McKinlay (17) and Josephine Baughen (17). Photos: Gerard O'Brien

Dunedin's next Nadia Reid or Martin Phillipps may have taken the first steps of their musical career on Saturday, when Taieri College hosted the Otago heats of the annual Smokefreerockquest.

Melicen Barber (16) and Paper Frogs band mate Mathew Schack (15) represent Logan Park High School at the Smokefreerockquest Otago heats on Saturday. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN

The teenage talent quest is an enduring event on the artistic calendar, and for 30 years has given some of New Zealand's leading musicians their first taste of playing live.

Alien Weaponry, Broods, Bic Runga, Marlon Williams and Aldous Harding number among Smokefreerockquest alumni.

The Taieri College hall was packed on Saturday as around 50 groups performed, watched by friends, supporters and family.

In the solo/duo category Trent Hawthorne (Logan Park High School), Gabi Summerfield (Otago Girls' High School) went through to the final, and M.C.S from King's High School progressed from the Tangata Beats section.

From the bands section the 12 which made the regional final were: Paper Frogs (Logan Park High School); 4 Beats Per Minute (Kaikorai Valley College); Solid Merit (Logan Park High School); Thursdays In The Library (Taieri College); Band Substance (Logan Park High School); Infinite Deadline (Taieri College); Typical Melanoma (Logan Park High School); Purveyor Of Fine Meats (John McGlashan College); Velvet Strings (Taieri College); The Rambler (Bayfield High School); Kundalini (Taieri College); Tawhaki Band (Bathgate Park School, King's High School, Queen's High School).

The regional final will be held at Taieri College on June 21.

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