Thursday 16 July will be a huge day for five Dunedin school bands when they perform live in front of popular New Zealand hip hop group Smashproof and crowds of people at the Regent Theatre.

Acclaimed South Auckland Hip-Hop stars Tyree, Young Sid and Deach burst on the scene in 2005 as Smashproof and this year broke a 23 year old record by clocking up the longest consecutive run at number one by a local act on the New Zealand singles chart. Their hit single ‘Brother’ made them a household name and registered them in New Zealand music history.

The Cadbury Moro Band Jam competition received 12 band entries and voting to find the top five finalists has already commenced on the Classic Hits and ZM radio station websites. The finalists will perform in front of judges Smashproof, Teresa Patterson of CRS Music Management and Graeme Downes, renowned Dunedin musician, academic and founding member of The Verlaines.

Teresa Patterson has worked in the music industry for over 17 years. For the last 7 years she has worked at CRS Music Management as Manager for Scribe, Elemeno P, Deja Voodoo, Carly Binding, Blindspott and The Have. Several of her artists have released and toured Australia.  Teresa also handles the publicity for the Auckland Big Day Out and various local tours.

The Verlaines were formed in 1981 and led by songwriter and vocalist/guitarist Graeme Downes.  Downes gained a doctorate on the music of Gustav Mahler before establishing the University of Otago’s degree in rock music. In 2001 his first solo album, Hammers and Anvils, was released by the American label Matador and distributed locally by Flying Nun.

There will be entertainment during the evening including a performance by Smashproof. Tickets are only $5 and available from the Regent Theatre.