Every band needs a name, and ‘Trouser Men' and ‘Minnie and the Lads' are just a couple of inventive titles from Bay of Plenty high school bands entered in this year's Smokefreerockquest heats.

The bands and solo-duos will face off 12pm this Sunday at Otumoetai College in Tauranga.

They will be among over 2000 young people who will compete during May and June in 20 regions from Invercargill to Whangarei in New Zealand's only nationwide, live, all original, youth music competition.

Founder and director Glenn Common said the heats provide a supportive atmosphere for bands and solo/duos to perform a song they have written themselves to an audience of their peers, friends and families.

'To perform live on stage is a great boost in confidence – it requires a lot of skills, not just musical ability,” he says. 'For a significant number it will be their first live gig, while some may have been working towards this moment for a number of years. Smokefreerockquest is all about the opportunity to perform live rather than just about winning.”

Students can enter in the solo/duo section as well as being part of a band; and they can be considered for Smokefree Pacifica Beats at the SFRQ heats if their performance has at least one Maori and/or Pacific element.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Pete Rainey says Smokefree has been supporting young Kiwis to showcase their music for 27 years.

'We're proud to be part of a change that means smoking really doesn't have a place in young people's bands or their world today,” he says. 'It's great to stage an event that recognises that today's musicians and artists will play a huge role in shaping New Zealand's future with the goal of Smokefree 2025.”

The winner of the solo/duo section will be announced at the regional heats, along with the top 12 bands to go ahead to the regional final. The top two acts for consideration for the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national finals will also be announced.

The top 12 bands will be selected to play off at the Bay of Plenty final at Totara Street Performing Arts Centre on Friday June 30 at 7pm. Tickets for the regional final are available from NZTix.co.nz, $20 adults and $10 students.