Abulia from James Hargest College took out first place at this year’s Southland regional Smokefreerockquest final at The Civic Theatre on Thursday night.  

The line up of the 5-piece band consisted of James Brown on bass, Ingamar Siegruhn on electric guitar, Finn Cruickshank on drums, Luke Wheeler on electric guitar and Maia Fletcher on vocals. 

Second place in the band category went to The Terrace from James Hargest College, a 4-piece band made up of Ailin Pekar on electric guitar and lead vocals, Blake Humphrey on electric guitar and backing vocals, Jackson Jones on bass and backing vocals, and Aiden Hosie on the drums.

They join solo-duo winners for Southland, Holly Muirhead from James Hargest College (first) and Marea and Chantelle from Verdon College (second), with the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 10 national finalists to play off in Auckland on September 18.

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The Smokefree Tangata Beats Award went to solo/duo musician Kiera Rogers from James Hargest College. Kiera now goes into the selection process for the national final of Smokefree Tangata Beats, held in Auckland on September 17. 

For founder and director Glenn Common, the potential of each new round of regional finalists is reflected in a music industry full of past participants. 

“It’s fascinating for us to look back at success stories like Kimbra, Marlon Williams and Broods where we could see the star factor right back at the regional level,” he says. “Each event gives a new cohort of bands the opportunity to take their obsession with music and develop the organisational and stagecraft skills that will help them become another Kiwi music success.”

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The full list of awards for Southland is:  

Band 1: Abulia from James Hargest College

Band 2: The Terrace from James Hargest College

Band 3: October Rejects from Gore High School

Solo/Duo 1: Holly Muirhead from James Hargest College

Solo/Duo 2: Marea and Chantelle from Verdon College Smokefree Tangata Beats Award: Kiera Rogers from James Hargest College

People’s Choice: Lumikha from Central Southland College

Best Vocals: Christian Janil Dela Cruz from Central Southland College

Musicianship: Kate and Téa from James Hargest College

Musicianship: Ailin Pekar from James Hargest College

ZM Best Song: Kiera Rogers from James Hargest College

APRA Lyric Writers’ Award: Darcy Herrick from James Hargest College

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends.

There is also the Musicianship Award, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, Rockshop Electronic Performance Award, ZM Best Song Award, and Vocals Award.  

Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest include Broods, Marlon Williams, Fazerdaze, Aldous Harding, Nadia Reid, Drax Project, Six60, Leisure, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Chelsea Jade, Die!Die!Die!, Leroy Clampitt, Robinson, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Skinny Hobos, Kimbra, Aaradhna, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and Balu Brigada. Smokefree Tangata Beats standout successes include Alien Weaponry, Strangely Arousing, and Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.