It’s been Smokefreerockquest’s biggest year yet, with nearly 900 school aged bands competing across Aotearoa to win the prestigious title of National Winners.
On Saturday the Top 10 National Finalists performed at Sky City Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau – with Top Shelf from Manurewa High School crowned this year’s winning band.
Top Shelf are fresh off the back of winning first place in last weekend’s Smokefree Tangata Beats competition. Top Shelf guitarist Taparia Engu said, “It feels bloody amazing. I can’t describe it. If I’m honest, watching the show I’d already surrendered because the other bands were just so good”.
Taparia Engu was also awarded the inaugural Chloe Wright Scholarship, which he plans to use to pursue audio engineering studies at SAE. Offered for the first time this year, the scholarship provides financial support for one student for up to three years of tertiary education at any New Zealand institution.
Top Shelf, who is made up of students Charles Lia (vocals), Sheneah Bayaban (brass), Ashton Emmerson (bass), Joshua Engu (drums), Taparia Engu (guitar), Charlie Mupopo Miller (vocals) and Louise Ponifasio (brass), have won a massive $10,000 in musical equipment from Rockshop, as well as an $8,000 ‘New Music Single’ grant from NZ On Air to record a single, film a music video and promote the release.
Judging the National Final this year was Hamish Jackson (NZ Rockshop), Lucy Suttor (musician – Dick move), Rikki Reid (musician), Angelo Munro (musician – The Bleeders), and Jeff Newton (NZ On Air).
Newton expressed how exceptional the musicianship on display was at the event saying, “It’s my 13th year doing this – and this is by far and away the best year yet. Top Shelf killed it. Fully formed – they know where they are and where they are going.”
Smokefreerockquest is made possible by the support of Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga – The Ministry of Education, The Wright Family Foundation, NZ Rockshop, Ministry of Youth Development, Creative NZ, Four Winds Foundation, Lion Foundation, and Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.
2024 WINNERS:
1st place band: Top Self – Manurewa High School (Manukau)
2nd place band: The Splinters – Havelock North High School (Hawkes Bay)
3rd place band: Rumpus Machine – Long Bay College (North Shore)
1st place solo/duo: Emerson – Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Auckland Central)
2nd place solo/duo: Koyla Marks – Kuranui College (Wairarapa)
Musicianship Award: Hannah Hyde from Rumpus Machine – Long Bay College (North Shore)
Smokefree Best Vocals Award: Ahi Edmond from R67 – TKKM o Ruamata (Rotorua)
ZM Best Song Award: ‘Bored’ by Emerson – Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Auckland Central)
APRA Lyric Award: Deacon Kenyan-Wilde – Central Southland College (Southland)
Rockshop Electronic Performance Award: Emerson – Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Auckland Central)
