Big Angry from Otumoetai College are the first place winners in the band category of the Bay of Plenty regional Smokefree Rockquest.

The members, who put down their win to the bond they have together, include Nixon Ririnui, Jack Baker, Ashton Blair and Ben Waton.

Second place in the band category went to Vegan Funk Machine from Mt Maunganui College.

The full line-up of Vegan Funk Machine is Oscar Kelly, Richard Denyer, Finn Hughes and Jesse Chettleburgh.

They join solo-duo winners, Mabel Affleck from Bethlehem College, who received first place and Just Cate from Rotorua Lakes High School, who came second.

The students now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 10 national finalists to play off at the national final in Auckland on September 18.

The Smokefree Tangata Beats Award went to Tū Te Akitu, Rotorua Boys' High School.

They now go into the selection process for the national final of Smokefree Tangata Beats national final in Auckland on September 17.

Smokefree Rock Quest for founder and director Glenn Common says 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,” says Glenn

“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.”

Smokefree Rockquest, 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 Smokefree Rock Quest 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.

The full list of awards for Bay of Plenty is:

Band 1: Big Angry, Otumoetai College

Band 2: Vegan Funk Machine, Mt Maunganui College Band 3: Tū Te Akitu, Rotorua Boys' High School Solo/Duo 1: Mabel Affleck, Bethlehem College Solo/Duo 2: Just Cate, Rotorua Lakes High School Smokefree Tangata Beats Award: Tū Te Akitu, Rotorua Boys' High School ZM People’s Choice: Their There, Mt Maunganui College

Best Vocals: Mikaere Albert, Arana Ashby and Marangai Wainohu-Savage of Tū Te Akitu, Rotorua Boys' High School

Musicianship: Maysen Mitchell (drums, vocals) of O.C.D, Papamoa College ZM

Best Song: Big Angry, Otumoetai College

APRA Lyric Writers’ Award: Tuhoe Soldiers, TKKM o Huiarau

Source: SunLive