The Otago heats for the Smokefree Rockquest took place at the Taieri Performing Arts Centre on Saturday.
One band from Kaikorai Valley College known as Red Rekord had been practising for the event since the beginning of the year.
Red Rekord’s singer Sarah Paingia said the band was made up of friends from her school who all worked together to write their debut song for the event.
"I was kind of nervous," Sarah said.
"I’m actually sick. I’ve got heaps of tissues and took like 50 cough lollies."
Although Sarah was not feeling in top form, performing with her band took away some of her nerves, she said.
"When we’re actually performing it’s not as bad because we’re doing it together."
There were 14 solo or duo acts and 42 bands from Taieri College, King’s High School, Kaikorai Valley College, Bayfield High School, South Otago High School, Logan Park High School, Columba College, Otago Girls’ High School, St Hilda’s Collegiate, Trinity Catholic College, Otago Boys’ High School and John McGlashan College who performed.
"It would be so cool to get a placing, but we’re just here for fun. We all love music so, for us, this is our passion," Sarah said.
Awards for the Otago heat would be announced at noon today on the Smokefree Rockquest Instagram.
