Rockers from Queenstown and Central Otago were given an opportunity to perform on Friday ahead of the Smokefreerockquest.
Seventeen bands from areas including Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell and Dunstan performed at the Big Break concert in the Queenstown Memorial Centre on Friday night.
The show was organised by the Rock Formation and chairman Justin Eden said most of the bands were headed for the Rockquest, which for Central Otago rockers will this year be held at the Lake Wanaka Centre on July 3.
The Big Break's purpose was to give the youth bands, including bands at primary school level, ''a run-through'' and it was not about competing, Mr Eden said.