Talkback Amp singer-guitarist Jessica van der Kaag, bassist Danielle Voschezang, and drummer Belinda Woodward will perform their own composition, a melodic rock number called After All, plus covers of Wake Up by the Living End, Creep by Radiohead and Video Killed The Radio Star by Buggles during the inaugural RockFormation concert of Wakatipu High School bands on Friday.
Jessica said that an all-girl band stood out from the crowd.
"It does give us an advantage on stage, proving wrong that only boys can play rock," she said.
Danielle added: "It's really good because it's our chance to get ourselves out there and get some stage experience."
The Big Break '09 will showcase the talents of six rock bands, one soul band and one jazz band from Wakatipu High School, ahead of the Smokefreerockquest regional final which is to be held in Wanaka in July.
About 30 singers, songwriters and musicians, aged between 13 and 18, will perform for fellow pupils and the public at the Queenstown Memorial Hall.
Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison will host a workshop in the hall from 3.30pm, when the bands arrive from school to start their soundchecks, to hone pupils' stage presence and songwriting skills. Mr Kerrison's involvement came through RockFormation's contacts in the music industry.
Bands will play at least one original composition and at least one cover of a 1970s or '80s classic.
Queenstown parents Justin Eden, Liza Devine and Robynne Williams set up the RockFormation charitable trust earlier this year to encourage young Wakatipu musicians in the music industry.
Mr Eden said all the bands would perform on stage as part of the Queenstown Winter Festival's Mardi Gras on June 30 before entering Rockquest on July 18.
"A lot of them haven't been on stage before, so at least they will have two big productions under their belts."
• The Big Break '09, Queenstown Memorial Hall, Friday, May 29, 7pm. Tickets are $5 (pupils) and $10 (adults) and are available from the school student council or at the door from 7pm.
