In Smokefreerockquest’s biggest year yet, Equilibrium, came out on top. Over one thousand musical acts from across Aotearoa competed to win the prestigious title of National Winners!
On Friday the Top 8 National Finalists in the band category performed at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland – with Equilibrium crowned this year’s winning band. Check out their video profile above before the event.
Saxophone/Keyboardist, Alex Gibson, he said he feels “amazing” about their win.
“Its a ridiculous feeling. This is such an amazing event with so many opportunities available to young musicians. To win this is just mind boggling. Smokefreerokquest is a great excuse to rehearse and practice music that we love. It provides a ground for us to play together so frequently, and without Rockquest I don’t know if we would still be playing together as a band.”
In winning 1st place in the band category, Equilibrium, who is made up of students Alex Gibson (Saxophone/Keys), Corban Blackwell (Guitar), Wonie Park (Bass), and Finley Tressler (Drums), have won a massive $10k in musical equipment from Rockshop, as well as an $8k ‘New Music Single’ grant from NZ On Air to record a single, film a music video and promote the release.
Alex Gibson also took home the Musicianship Award.
Judge Jeff Newton (NZ On Air) said he was impressed by the winning band’s level of musicianship: “They were so fun. Good luck trying to find the best musician out of them. They were all insane. Hands down they were the best band.”
Now in its 37th year, Smokefreerockquest has become integral to the development of Aotearoa’s young musicians, with musical successes including international breakthrough artists such as BROODS, Marlon Williams, Fazerdaze, Aldous Harding, Troy Kingi, Drax Project, Six60, Brooke Fraser, Kimbra, Bic Runga, and so many more.
In 2025 the event attracted over 3300 young people, entered in more than 1000 acts, showing the enduring strength of youth music in New Zealand.
Smokefreerockquest is a secondary school original band and solo/duo competition made possible by the support of Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga – The Ministry of Education, The Wright Family Foundation, NZ Rockshop, Ministry of Youth Development, Creative NZ, Four Winds Foundation, Lion Foundation, and Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora.
We cannot wait to see what happens next for Equilibrium. A thoroughly deserved victory. Congratulations, Corban, Finn, Alex and Wonie.
You can check out their performance here:
