Local youth show music and fashion talents

Packing Whitehaven Theatre for a sold-out show, Marlborough’s top young musicians delivered a standout competition which also featured a contest for young fashion designers on Friday.

Nine acts took to the stage in the Smokefree Rockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats regional final. While judges deliberated, the evening also showcased TOI wearable-art garments from Marlborough and Nelson.

Rockquest, part of a nationwide tour presented by the Wright Family Foundation, gives secondary school students the chance to perform original music on a professional stage; top performers progress to the national selection round via video submission. Tangata Beats celebrates contemporary sounds grounded in Tangata Whenua and Pasifika identity.

Amoeba from Marlborough Boys’ College claimed first place in the band category, with fellow MBC group The Beans second and Lost Opportunities, comprising students from MBC and Marlborough Girls’ College, third.

“This is amazing!” said Amoeba bassist and singer Isaac Moore, who competed in Rockquest three years but for the first time with this band. “Knowing that this was a sold-out show was so great; I loved having the noise and support from the crowd.”

In the solo and duo category, MGC act Jess (& Qalo) took first place. Jess Cruzon expressed thanks to “the people who push us to get out there and do things with our music,” adding: “To perform on this stage was really nerve-wracking, but I think because I had my partner there with me, we just locked in as soon as we got on stage.”

In TOI, Madison Walters from Richmond View School won the junior TOI award for “Grounded Willow”, while Georgia Woodham of MGC took home the senior award.