Four Wakatipu High School acts practised their original songs on Friday night, in preparation for the Smokefreerockquest 2010 Central Otago regional final, on Saturday.
Rock bands the Fletcherz, Steeze Monkeys, Why We Need Darkness and solo artist Hertzog played in front of friends and supporters at X-it Youth Centre.
They are among 11 Wakatipu acts, of the 19 from around the Southern Lakes and Central Otago, who will compete for $1150 worth of musical gear at the regional final in the Queenstown Memorial Hall on Saturday night.
Two finalists and the People's Choice winner will go into a selection process with winning bands from 24 other regions, based on their DVD of their original songs.
The eight bands or soloists chosen to go through to the national final at Founders Theatre, in Hamilton, on September 11, will be announced next month.
Vocalist-pianist Hertzog Burger (17) said he would play his compositions Goodbye and either Found, or Doing Fine on Saturday.
"I'm excited, because I've never been on such a big stage in front of so many people before."Justin Eden, co-founder of charitable trust RockFormation, which nurtures youth musicianship and performance, said 11 Wakatipu entries going into the regional final, instead of the five to seven as in previous years, was a testament to the talent of the youngsters and the support of their teachers.
"A lot of these guys are determined to win.
"They said that months ago, so that's pretty positive."Mr Eden said that following the regional final, RockFormation would host a supervised two-hour jam session for all young musicians in the hall.
• Smokefreerockquest 2010 Central Otago regional final, Queenstown Memorial Hall, Saturday, July 24, 7pm.
Tickets $15 before at Play it Again Records in Queenstown and Base in Wanaka, or $20 at the door.
On the bill
Affliction - Mt Aspiring College
Before Anything Else - Wakatipu High School
Fused - Wakatipu High School
Hertzog - Wakatipu High School
Maddy Rawson - Cromwell College
Mercury Brigade - Mount Aspiring College
Miscommunication - Mount Aspiring College
Mystery Diagnosis - Wakatipu High School
Paper Flying Machines - Mount Aspiring College
Reflection - Mount Aspiring College
Ruby Bain - Wakatipu High School
Shogun - Wakatipu High School
Steeze Monkeys - Wakatipu High School
TalkBack Amp - Wakatipu High School
The Fletcherz - Wakatipu High School
This is My Forest - Maniototo Area School
Up the Creek Without a Capo - Cromwell College
Water to Wine - Wakatipu High School
Why We Need Darkness - Wakatipu High School
