Mentoring For Finalists In Smokefreerockquest
Bands at the top of the kiwi music industry will be offering advice to those at its entry level, as part of the Smokefreerockquest final in Hamilton this month.
New Zealand's six top bands play off for the country's biggest youth music prize at the Claudelands Arena from 4-6pm on Saturday 17 September, with high-energy chart topper Dane Rumble eading the guest list. At 7pm that same night, Kiwi Cream delivers New Zealand greats Shihad, Supergroove, Opshop and the Kids of 88.
Rockquest Promotions director Glenn Common says getting some band mentoring for the SFRQ finalists from this line-up was an opportunity too good to be missed.
"In the afternoon before the Smokefreerockquest final kicks off, Shihad will spend time with all six finalists, in a session supported by the Ministry of Youth Development," he says. "This will give them an insight into the path that led them to international success and rock stardom - it's an awesome opportunity."
Common says mentoring is a big part of what the Smokefreerockquest experience offers young people.
"Throughout the competition, the finalists from the main centres have all had this opportunity, as we've staged the SFRQ Circus in main centres, with the likes of Ivy Lies and Nesian Mystik doing the mentoring," he says. "In Hamilton we plan to match Nelson band The Peasants with the very first rock quest winners, Opshop; and put Dane Rumble with A Bit Nigel from Taupo. We're planning to get them together in a professional setting where the young bands can experience a sound check and see what goes on backstage."
Common says it's a tribute to the legacy of Smokefreerockquest and to the collegial nature of the kiwi music industry that top bands are willing to share their time and their experience.
"It is going to be a real inspiration to these young musicians to hear direct from acts that have made it in New Zealand and even internationally," he says. "The SFRQ finalists are poised for a career in music and this will be a motivator they will be able to look back on if they ever hit tough times or have doubts."
The top six bands to play off at the national final in Hamilton on Saturday 17 September are Get Off The Grass, Massad, Attic Sky's, A Bit Nigel, The Velvet Regime and The Peasants.
