@rockquest heats are this weekend and we’ve put together a blog post with 3 performance tips to get you ready - link in bio.
📸 @buzzofficialnz 2x Rockquest national finalists
Good luck to everyone competing!
#rock #livemusic
To celebrate #rockquest2026 and #tangatabeats2026 kicking off in two days, we’re throwing it back to the early 2000’s 𝄞⨾💿✮˚.⋆
Check out the fits in these throwback pics from the y2k era of @rockquest and @tangatabeats ! ⚡️
Who remembers these days 👀
#smokefreerockquest and #smokefreetangatabeats 2026 kick off this weekend! 🎶🚀
This is your sign to document the season with us for a chance to feature on our page ✨
Tag or DM us, or email your clips to [email protected]
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are heading to Aotearoa for their first-ever New Zealand tour, bringing their sharp, hook-heavy indie rock across the ditch this May 🌟🪩🎶
Thanks to our pals at @livenationaotearoa , we have 10 tickets per city to give away! All you need to do is DM us with your name, email, what region you want tickets for and how many tickets 🎉
The Canberra four-piece have quickly built a reputation for bold songwriting and high-energy live shows. Here are the shows for their NZ debut:
🎙️21 May at @loonslyttelton - Lyttelton
✨ 22 May at @thetuningfork - Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
💜 23 May at @sanfranvenue in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington
Tickets are first in, first served! See you there whānau 🫡
Happy first day of @nzmusicmonth from the RQP whānau! Here are some of the things we’re celebrating today to kick off the best month of the year 🎉
🏆 @rockquest alumni from 2008 @marlonwilliamssings takes home the 2026 @independentmusicnz Taite Music Prize
🎙️2025 Northland solo/duo @rockquest winner @maggiejburke releases single Different Ways today
⭐️ 2025 @rockquest National solo/duo finalist @greercastle.music gears up to release her debut EP INTROSPECTION next Friday 8 May
💙 Kiwi London-based artist @lace.mine recently released beautiful single Wait
🌸 Our new Music Communications Lead @eviebamford releases single Company today
Calling all Tāmaki Makaurau secondary school students curious about a career in the music industry! 📣
In celebration of @nzmusicmonth , @bigfan_nz and @nzmusiccommission are joining forces to put on the first ever Music Careers Expo
⏰ 9.50am - 2.30pm
🗓️ Wednesday 6 May, 2026
The event is completely free, register on BIG FAN’s website to confirm your spot! ✨🎵
🚨Entries for 2026 @rockquest and @tangatabeats close this Friday 1 May!🚨
Click the link in our bio to get in quick before entries close 🔗🎸
📸 @photoswithirena
The 2025 RQP Playlist is officially live! 🤟🏽
Link in bio!
Thanks to a contribution from the NZ Music Commission we were able to get the majority of our Top 25 acts from SFRQ/SFTB get into the studio to record one of their incredible songs!
Looking for the national winners songs? Fear not! They are currently being finished and music videos created! They will be added to the playlist after their official release.
Want the chance to be on the 2026 playlist? Then don’t forget to enter you act in Smokefreerockquest and/or Tangata Beats! Entries close on the 1st on May.
After 8 amazing years at RQP, Publicist & Event Manager Georgia has stepped away to continue her studies, and has joined the team of youth workers at Shore Junction.
Her mahi has shaped how our music programmes are run, and her fierce advocacy for live music, youth development and inclusivity has impacted thousands of young lives.
Tāmaki musicians, fear not, you will still see her around at some of this year's Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats events! Be sure to say kia ora and have a chat.
Thank you, George, for your endless passion for the young musicians of Aotearoa and their stories. We miss you terribly (and the office playlist will never be the same), but we are so proud of you for your commitment to continued development. Not goodbye, but see you soon.
Imaginary friends have proudly been designing and creating the Smokefreerockquest artwork for over 25 years.
Each year we are faced with the exciting challenge of creating fresh artwork that makes the event feel special. We take pride in working with local New Zealand based artists to create original art for the event. Recently we have been working closely with Auckland based illustrator Miki Nozomi who has created the illustrations for 2024, 2025 and this years neon lit retro futuristic art. Check out some of Miki’s work online and see it at her exhibitions coming up in Auckland and Taranaki this year.
@mikip.art@rockquest
Music by Imaginary Friends
Get ready to bring the vibes because REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN for Smokefree Tangata Beats!
The main info:
🎶 - Young musicians around Aotearoa are invited to perform their original music in live regional events run through May and June (plus an online region). SFTBs is a platform for developing and growing young musical talent reflecting the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.
🎶 - Entry is free, and open to students registered in school.
🎶 - Acts can register in the 'Solo-duo' or 'Band' categories.
🎶 - Regional winners take home prizes from Rockshop NZ.
🎶 - All 'Top 10' National finalists will have a song recorded with thanks to the support of @educationgovtnz .
🎶 - At the National Final in September there will be prizes from @rockshopnz , plus an @nzonairmusic grant for the overall winner in the band category!
Head over to our website for more info and to register (before 1st May)- and with any questions not answered there, you can email Sam at [email protected]
