Smokefree Tangata Beats is made up of many parts in order to find our overall national winning acts.
STAGE ONE - ENTER
Easy really, click any of the “Enter” buttons on this site and carefully follow the instructions through the online entry form; you have to be in to win! You will need to select your category, either Band or Solo/duo, what your region is, and enter the contact details of the acts members (so have those handy).
Here you will also have to select whether you are participating in Smokefree Tangata Beats, Smokefreerockquest, or both! Many acts have gone on to great success competing in both competitions, including Alien Weaponry and Mit Eldnar - who won both competitions!
For Smokefree Tangata Beats - participants must incorporate Te Reo Māori or a Pasifika language, instruments, dance or movement in their overall performance.
Check out the 'SFTB Kaupapa' info in the section below in How It Works for more info.
You can enter in a band and a solo-duo (although please note that if you’re entering in both categories, your solo-duo entry will need to be in the ‘online’ region). You cannot enter multiple in solo-duo acts or multiple bands - just one of each.
If you have any questions about your eligibility after reading the Terms and Conditions (link here), flick us an email to sam@smokefreetangatabeats.co.nz
Entries open mid Feb, and close on 3rd May.
STAGE TWO - REGIONAL EVENT
Your region will have a regional event. You must compete in your own region. Your event will be held alongside the Smokefreerockquest event, unless you're based in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland (where you will have your own heat and final SFTBs events separately to the SFRQ events).
At this event your act will perform 1 song/ 4 minutes. After watching the acts perform, the judges will select the winning Smokefree Tangata Beats act for the region.
The winning act is then invited to submit a video submission for National Finalist selection.
STAGE THREE - VIDEO SUBMISSION
The winning act in each region is invited to submit a video submission of 2 songs/ 7 minutes for selection to the National Final.
You can perform the same song as you performed at your regional event, if you want.
Each act will have 3 weeks to get their video prepared and uploaded to our website following their regional event. These video submissions will be used alongside your live performance in judging. A Top 20 from around the motu will be announced, with a national finalist (top 10) announcement following.
STAGE FOUR - NATIONAL FINALISTS & NATIONAL FINALS
The Top 10 will perform in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland in September. This will be held with a live audience, and also live streamed so people can join us from throughout Aotearoa and beyond.
The acts chosen to perform at the National Final will have 8 minutes (two songs). This is the time to really give it your all. Along with the wicked prizes up for grabs, the pride of being crowned a National Winner in reach.
Your song or performance MUST feature at least ONE of the four possible cultural elements listed below, and if you’re serious about winning, then your performance should feature two!
This competition is about supporting and promoting our unique Identity in Aotearoa, our Tangata Whenua and the amazing cultures present in our beautiful country.
We want to look at ways to mix our unique identities and cultures with contemporary music and this criteria is our way of encouraging you to try it out.
So, when you’re putting the performance together, writing and rehearsing your songs – try to think about natural ways to include the elements you’ve chosen, don’t just translate the chorus or write an extra verse and tack it on the end – have some fun with it, try some new things… get creative with your songwriting and make something uniquely you!
You must feature AT LEAST ONE of the following elements for your song and performance.
LANGUAGE– More than half of the lyrics to your song are in Te Reo Māori, and/or a Pacific language.
SOUND– Showcase a traditional instrument from Aotearoa and the Pacific e.g. Taonga pūoro, drums, ukulele, conch etc.
ACTION– enhance your performance with traditional movement, dance and/or action from Aotearoa and the Pacific e.g. haka, poi, siva, hula, bhangra, etc.
IDENTITY– a use of topic and/or a style/flavour that reflects Māori and/or Pacific culture in Aotearoa
For Smokefree Tangata Beats your act will compete as a solo-duo or as a band.
All acts compete at their regional event for the Smokefree Tangata Beats award for their region.
The regional winning acts go on for national finalist consideration.
Bands
If your SFTB entry has three (3) or more performers, you must enter the Band Category. Your band can have a maximum of 10 people.
Solo - duos
Solo – If your SFTB entry has only one (1) performer, you must enter the solo/duo category.
Duo – If your SFRQ entry has two performers, you must enter the Solo/duo category - unless one of the performers plays a drum kit, in which case you are to enter as a band.
Can I enter in more than one act?
Great question! You can enter in one band AND one solo-duo (but your solo-duo entry must be submitted into the online region). You cannot enter in more than one band or more than one solo-duo. You can (and we hugely encourage you to) enter in Smokefreerockquest AND Smokefree Tangata Beats - these entries are seperate.
If you have any questions - give Sam at sam@smokefreetangatabeats.co.nz an email outlining how you'd like to enter and she will let you know what you need to do.
At your regional event - there is the ‘1st place Smokefree Tangata Beats Award’ up for grabs.
There are 9 Award categories at the National Finals event which makes up almost $30,000 worth of CASH, PRIZES, fame and glory! Not to mention the bragging rights, that the group that is crowned our 1st Place winners will take away with them.
1st Place - $8k NZoA song and video recording package & $3k musical equipment from Rockshop
2nd Place - Song professionally recorded & $1500 musical equipment from Rockshop
Best Solo/Duo Award - $1000 Rockshop Voucher
Best Musicianship Award
Smokefree Mana Wahine Award - $500 cash
Best Vocals Award - $500 cash
APRA Lyric Writers Award - $500 cash
NZ Music Commission Best Song Award - $500 cash
Reo Award - $500 cash
SMOKEFREE TANGATA BEATS TERMS & CONDITIONS 202
ELIGIBILITY
1. All contestants must be enrolled in and attend a school for at least 15 hours a week. If you leave school during the course of the competition, you become ineligible to continue. You can change schools during the competition. (School means secondary, area, intermediate, primary or correspondence school.)
2. All contestants must be no older than 19 (nineteen) years of age on 3rd May 2023 (you may be asked to supply proof of eligibility).
3. Smokefree Tangata Beats is for unsigned acts and individuals only. You cannot enter if you have signed a recording or management contract, and cannot sign during the competition without the prior written approval of Rockquest Promotions Ltd.
4. No student can enter in more than one Smokefree Tangata Beats band OR more than one Solo-duo. (You can enter in a Band AND a Solo/duo if the Solo/duo is submitted by video for the Online Region.)
5. No student can enter into a category (Solo/Duo OR band) that they have already received 1st place in at a previous Smokefree Tangata Beats National Final.
REGIONS
6. Acts must compete in the region their school is closest to, or in the Online (video submission) Region.
7. Where an act represents multiple schools, it must compete in the region closest to the school the majority of members’ attend.
8. There is an Online (video submission) Region for 2023. Any band can elect to compete via this region, or change to this region at any time prior to their first performance, where one or more performers is unwell, at higher risk, or subject to self isolation as per NZ Govt Covid-19 Protection Framework.
9. Bands and Solo/duos will not be allowed to compete in incorrect or multiple regions.
10. If you are entered in a band, and wish to enter in a Solo/duo also, the Solo/duo must be entered in the Online Region and submitted by video.
CONDUCT
11. Smokefree supports Smokefree Tangata Beats and Smokefreerockquest allows emerging musicians to play their songs to crowds throughout the country. Because you are the essence of these events, we ask that you respect their smokefree status. Band names, song lyrics and titles, and clothing cannot contain smoking, e-cigarette, vaping or tobacco product references or depictions. By entering this competition, all entrants are making a declaration of their smokefree and vape free status at the event, and will be required to sign the following declaration at the Regional events. “As an entrant, I understand that for interviews, Regional and National submissions and events, press conferences, and Webisodes, or media appearances, it is a requirement for me to be smokefree. If I, or any of my group members, fail to comply with this declaration, it will result in the group’s immediate exclusion from all parts of this event.”
12. The use or possession of alcohol, cigarettes or illegal drugs by any group member at any Smokefree Tangata Beats event, or in any video submission, will result in the instant disqualification of their entire group.
13. At Smokefree Tangata Beats, you are representing your school. Therefore you must adhere to your school’s policies regarding behaviour in public. If in doubt, seek the guidance of your teachers.
14. Any entrant defacing or destroying Smokefree Tangata Beats property or property/venues used by Smokefree Tangata Beats will be disqualified and held accountable for damages. This includes P.A. equipment; recording studios, event venues, as well as any place used for photo shoots or interviews e.g. radio stations.
15. Smokefree Tangata Beats does not condone censorship. Smokefree Tangata Beats does support the NZ music industry and therefore urges entrants to consider the commercial potential of the material they write. While not wanting to put constraints on the creative process of songwriters we would like to point out that sexually explicit lyrics or lyrics that may offend may not have commercial potential and therefore may not suit this competition. Judges for this event are drawn from the NZ music industry. Entrants are urged to consider this point carefully.
16. All acts will be required to follow all COVID-19 policies and requirements as set out by the Ministry of Health, their school, and Rockquest Promotions.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
17. Performance requirements are subject to change depending on the government's Covid-19 regulations at the time.
18. Act members cannot be changed or added after your first performance.
19. All lead vocal lines and at least one instrumental part must be performed live. If your live performance is electronically assisted, you need to indicate this on your entry form.
20. All electronic elements need to be the original work of one of the entered members of the act.
21. All performed songs must be original – ie: written exclusively by one or more members of the act.
22. When submitting an entry video via the Online Region, bands are to submit two songs, and Solo/duos are to submit one song.
23. A song can only be performed in one category; either Band or Solo/duo, but not both.
24. If your SFTB entry has three (3) or more performers, you must enter the Band Category. If your SFTB entry has only one (1) performer, you must enter the Solo/duo category. If your SFTB entry has two performers, you must enter the Solo/duo category unless one of the performers plays drum kit, in which case you are to enter as a band. You can have a maximum of ten (10) band members.
JUDGING PROCESS
25. Judging decisions will be based on discussion, their industry experience and knowledge.
26. The Judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into.
OTHER CONDITIONS & REQUIREMENTS
27. All students must have the signature of their parent or guardian on the entry form, giving consent to us to release contestant information, images and recordings to media and sponsors, consenting to receiving event related promotional material from the event organisers and sponsors, and agreeing to all conditions of entry.
28. Entrants may be filmed and/or photographed at the event and be included as part of the Smokefree Tangata Beats Webisodes, website, social media, and Future promotional campaigns.
29. The Top 20 acts cannot sign a recording or management contract before 31 Dec 2023 without the prior written permission of Rockquest Promotions Ltd.
30. Entrants are not permitted to perform songs for the National Final selection round, or at the National Final, that are entered in, have been entered in, or will be entered in other music competitions except Smokefreerockquest, or submitted for NZ on Air Funding grants, in this calendar year.
31. Entrants are not permitted to submit songs for the National Final selection round or at the National Final, where the songwriter (or any of the songwriters) is no longer part of the act.
32. The National Finalists agree to Rockquest Promotions Ltd. (or appointed agent) acting as their exclusive agent in all matters regarding recording and management contracts until 1 May 2024. The National Finalists cannot enter into a recording or management contracts before this time, without the permission of Smokefree Tangata Beats.
33. The National Finalists agree that, if used as a guest band at a subsequent regional event, will do so without charge. (Costs will be covered by SFTB) The National Finalists agree to give SFTB up to two free National Final guest performances in future National Finals.
34. Contestants are required to gain approval from the organisers to use props, clothing or equipment bearing product branding of products other than those of our sponsors on stage. Approval will not be withheld unless the organisers believe the security of the event sponsorship is at risk. This does not apply to the normal name branding appearing on musical instruments.
35. By virtue of entry the entrant agrees to hold Smokefree Tangata Beats and its agents indemnified against any breach or infringement of copyright or rights held by any third party/parties, and the entrant undertakes to observe all such rights statutory or otherwise. By virtue of entry the entrant agrees to hold Smokefree Tangata Beats and it‘s agents indemnified against any claim or liability for loss or accident resulting from any individual’s involvement in the event.
36. If any further changes to the Conditions of Entry are required to comply with any changing Covid-19 regulations, all contestants will be notified.
Thanks to the Ministry of Education we provide mentoring for all Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats participants.
This mentoring comes in different ways, through the different parts of the programme. Each act gets written feedback following each of their performances from a judge. The judges we select are from within the music industry (and many past participants!).All National Finalists get face to face mentoring.
Mentoring is not only a great opportunity to get feedback, but also to ask questions about the music industry.
You have the option to use electronic assistance as part of your live performance in both the Solo/duo category and the band category. This will enable the use of Ableton Live, preloaded looping pedals and other similar supporting technology.
Your lead vocal line (if you have one!) and at least one instrumental part still needs to be performed live.
All programmed/produced material must be the original work of one of the acts’ entrants. If you have a non-performing producer working with you, they must also be an entered member of the act (there is an electronic content producer option in the instrument list), and meet all conditions of entry. (A Duo with a non-performing producer still counts as a duo) The emphasis of the judging will be primarily on the song and the live aspects of the performance, however credit will be given for how well the act integrates and manages the technology aspects as well. Acts should bear in mind the setting they could be performing in, if a Live National Final is possible. There would be limited set up time available, so acts should design and prepare their electronic setup accordingly.
This region was originally established to allow individuals to compete in both Band AND Solo/duo Categories, and it is still for this. But, given the ongoing possibility of community cases of COVID19, the Online Solo/duo region has been extended to include bands in 2022 to give students who are unwell, self isolating, or waiting on test results and should not be attending live events, an alternative way of still competing. You can only compete in one region.
Solo/duos MUST compete in this Online region if an individual is also entered in a band. Any Solo/duo can elect to enter in the online region instead of competing in person at your closest regional event, but you cannot enter in both.
Bands can choose to enter in this region or change to this region at any time up to their first performance, if a band member becomes unwell, is at greater risk from COVID-19 infection, or is directed to self-isolate.The Online Region entries will be required to film themselves performing their best original song (or two songs if entered in the Band category). The video file (less than 1gig) needs to be uploaded via the "upload" tab on our website by Mon 21st June.
The number of awards and prizes will be proportional to the number of entries received. The top performers from this region will then be required to complete the National Final Selection task (12 min of original material) from which the National Finalists will be selected.
The APRA Award is for lyrics, and is judged separately from any video submissions – so you do not need to be in a band or solo-duo entering in Smokefreerockquest or Smokefree Tangata Beats in order to enter for the Lyric Writers Award. If you are submitting a video as a performer though, you can submit any lyrics you like – they do not need to be the lyrics of a song you have performed (but of course they can be!). A winner will be selected from within each region, and then a national APRA Lyric Writers Award winner will be selected.
Well, that’s how Smokefree Tangata Beats works this year. Go out there and practice, practice, practice….write, write, write. It will be worth it. It’s better to be prepared…you’ll have a heap more fun. Remember – if you don’t win it’s not the end of the world, some of the biggest names in New Zealand music haven’t won Smokefree Tangata Beats, but they have used it as a time and place to learn, develop, and refine their craft and skills.