Some young Whakatāne musicians are buzzing after gaining a taste of the stage at the 2025 RockQuest.

Three high school bands have made it through to next stages following heats in Tauranga on May 25.

Beacon reporter Alisha McLennan caught up with two of the bands ahead of the regional finals next week and a local gig at Mata Brewery tonight.

The Brownies – Trident High School

Trident High School’s The Brownies won the Smokefree Tangata Beats regional heat, earning them a place at the finals.

The Brownies are a reggae, funk and R&B-influenced band made up of Kobe Vaenuku on the guitar, Cre-Ammon Ratima on the drums, Ngakohu Toko on bass, Tyrhyse Rangi-Ransfield and Tayen Cobden on vocals, and Saarnza-Qaa Ratima typically on vocals, but at Rockquest he was a last-minute fill-in keyboardist.

Guitarist Kobe said the song they performed, Better Place, was inspired by identity and culture.

“It’s about not being afraid to show your culture, nationality and identity, and to fight for who you are and your people,” he said.

He said the band was inspired by Laughton Kora who mentored the group while writing the track.

Bass player Ngakohu said their influences were LAB, Spawnbreezie, House of Shem and Catchafire.

The band must write, compose, arrange and practise a new original song before the finals on June 13.

“We’re a bit nervous and anxious, but overall feeling good,” Ngakohu said.

Lyricist and singer Saarnza-Qaa had to learn the keyboard part of the song on the day of the heats to fill in for another band member.

He said he joined the project part way through the songwriting process.

“Laughton helped us a lot – at first, we didn’t know our focus. Then once we wrote “walk the road hand in hand, fighting for people and for the land”, we had our focus. We want a better place, not just for our people, but for the land.

“That really helped me write the first verse.”

He said he was feeling good, diving headfirst into penning lyrics for the new project.

“I’m feeling confident. For our first song, I joined pretty late. Now, I can start from scratch with a bit more vision,” he said.

Ngakohu said the band was actively looking for local gigs to get in some performance practice.

“We will take any gigs that come up,” he said.

Anyone looking for live music from The Brownies can contact Trident High School music teacher Alex Kim.

Why The Face – Whakatāne High School

Why The Face are one of two school bands making it through to the Bay of Plenty final, alongside Upside Down Donut Hole.

Why The Face placed third in the heats, and comprises singer and lyricist Phoebe Askew, guitarists Luke Sims and Noah Vullings, drummer Harper Sheedy, and roadie Jack Goodfellow.

Matthew Clark stepped in to play bass for the band at RockQuest, because their usual bass player for gigs, Harry Martin, was double booked as lead singer for Trident’s band, Four Thirty Seven

They play rock covers, but their originals fall more into alternative metal, with heavy Paramore and Deftones influences.

Why The Face’ssong Within was written by Phoebe, based on guitar parts from Luke and Noah.

“When I was writing it, I was thinking about when you have a crush, you’re so immersed in everything they do – the connection between the two of you just flourishes.”

The band employs a push-and-pull strategy between music and lyrics to craft their songs.

During the performance, despite some of the band having trouble hearing each other, they pulled off a rockstar performance with headbanging, crowd interaction and full use of the stage.

“It was so fun; that stage gave it justice. It was set up pretty much perfectly, the kind of stage we want to be performing on,” Phoebe said.

Luke said he received a judges comment that simply read: “Hell ye – great solo”.

Phoebe was complimented too – “props for the helicopter hair” – after flipping her hair around throughout the performance between powerful vocals.

Noah said the band was aiming to put out an album before the end of the year and were weighing up their recording options while writing more songs.

They are currently preparing their next original Brand of Sacrifice for the finals, trimming the track from seven minutes to four, to fit within the competition regulations.

Guitarist Noah said Four Thirty Seven also “should have made it to the finals”.

Four Thirty Seven drummer Ben Willoughby said they performed “alright” but had a few last-minute band member changes.

“We played well for the crowd and concert,” she said.

Phoebe said the bands appreciated how much time their music teacher Adam Warner allows them to practice.

Mr Warner said he “couldn’t be prouder” of all the students who entered RockQuest.

“They’re in school practising several times each week, honing their craft and it truly shows.

“They’ve opened for my band a few times, which was fantastic, but I’m especially excited for their own headlining show at Mata.

“Their dedication is incredible, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them shine in the finals.”

The members of Upside Down Donut Hole were off school sick following the performance so the Beaconcould not speak to them, but they will also be going through to the regional finals in Tauranga on June 13.

Four Thirty Seven and Why The Face will be performing a local gig at Mata Brewery tonight from 5.30pm.