Centre rocks to young musicians

It was lights, camera, action at the Smokefree Rockquest Central Otago final at the Queenstown Memorial Centre on Friday night. The solo-duo section was won by John Manulea, of Wakatipu High School, from Isabella Reid and Lucy Nichol, also of Wakatipu.

The competition was split between solo-duo acts and band acts. Wakatipu had four solo-duo acts and two bands competing for the chance to make it to the national final in Auckland on September 28. Five-piece band Mainstreet, of Mt Aspiring College, won the band category and another of the college's bands, Fire Eyed Society, finished second.

Sam Maxwell, of Wakatipu High School, and band Euphoric Division received the musicianship award.

Winners received music equipment from the competition's sponsor. Winners from the Central Otago final must now compete for entry to the national final by submitting videos of their original music.

Acts judged worthy will gain selection.

''This process demands creativity and musical ability, as well as learning to work together as a group and developing the organisation skills they'll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene,'' Rockquest founder and director Glenn Common said.