Talking Furniture band members (from left) drummer Brodie Jones, 16, bassist Taylor Garmonsway, 17, lead vocalist and guitarist Dylan Stringer, 17, and lead guitarist, synth player and vocalist Benji Egan, 17, after winning the 2026 Smokefreerockquest Otago Regional Final. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN Talking Furniture upscaled to screaming when they were announced the winners of the 2026 Smokefreerockquest Otago Regional Final. The Bayfield High School alternative rock band lead guitarist Benji Egan said it was a ‘‘mind-blowing moment’’ for the band. ‘‘It was pretty crazy. ‘‘We’ve been doing Rockquest since year 7, and we honestly didn’t think we’d get it.’’ He said rehearsals for the final had been very rushed because lead singer Dylan Stringer had been in London, and only returned to Dunedin last Monday. ‘‘So we had four days to practise, starting on the Tuesday, and it was only possible because we talked to the head of the arts department at school, and she managed to give us a lot of time in school to practise. ‘‘And when you have a very close deadline, you tend to be a little bit more focused on what you’re doing, and you work smarter, not harder, I guess.’’ He said the band would now record three of their songs for a demo to send to the judges, who would choose the final eight bands for the national final in Wellington on September 17-19. He said they had been in this position before of having to submit a demo for the national finals. ‘‘But we didn’t do a very good submission, I don’t think, because, well, for one thing, we all had Covid during the recording session. ‘‘This time, we’re all fit and healthy and we know what we’re doing. We’ve had that experience, which always helps.’’ Talking Furniture were one of 14 Otago bands in the regional final. Other prize winners in the band category at Dunedin’s Regent Theatre were Deaf Raccoon (John McGlashan and Logan Park High School), who were second, and Girl Don’t Know (St Hilda’s Collegiate), who were third. The Smokefreerockquest solo/duo category was won by Alpine Canal (Bayfield High School) from Uma Reid (Columba College) in second. In each region, the top two acts from each category advance to video submissions for national finalist selection. Musicianship awards were presented to Supernatural drummer Freya Stevenson (Taieri College) and RIOT lead guitar Cody TeNgahue-Forbes (Kaikorai Valley College); the best vocals award went to Niche singers Camila Barns and Laura McCartney (Trinity Catholic College); the best song award was won by Flush Median (Logan Park High School); the APRA lyric award went to Akein Wickramagedara, of The Late News (Trinity Catholic College); and the electronic assist performance award was won by Talking Furniture (Bayfield High School).
