Five bands from the school were among the 13 finalists selected last night, and pupils from the school contributed to a sixth band and won the top two awards for a solo/duo act.
Sounds as eclectic as pop, punk and reggae blared from the speakers and elicited jubilation from a raucous crowd at the Kavanagh College auditorium.
About 200 people packed into the auditorium to support the 31 acts on show and about 100 children took part in the event.
Event producer Dan Kendrick said the number of participants was similar to last year and the music was of high calibre.
"It’s really good," he said.
"Nice and diverse. Plenty of strong musicianship and enthusiasm."
The top 13 bands would compete for the top two spots at the Otago final next Saturday.
Solo acts Josh Glennie and Ashlee Maxwell would put together 15 minutes of material to submit for selection as national finalists.
The 13 finalists were: Under Apex (John McGlashan College); Somewhere In Between (Taieri College); Bark Like a Dog (Taieri College, Logan Park High School and King’s High School); Carmina (Logan Park High School); Brain Stew (King’s High School); Valerie (Taieri College); Sugarcoated Bullets (King’s High School); The stay-at-home dads (King’s High School); No Vacancy (Taieri College); Backwards J (Taieri College); Painted Blind (Logan Park High School); Club Martian (Taieri College); Sun Animals (Otago Boys’ High School).
