The 2024 Smokefree Tangata Beats national final took place at Due Drop Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau on September 20, with the 10 finalists bringing the house down.

After an exceptional performance of original music, local act Top Shelf from Manurewa High School were named the winning band for 2024.

Charlie Mupopo Miller, front man and vocalist of Top Shelf, said he was overwhelmed by the band’s win.

“I think what got us here is our teachers and our bond together as a band. We are a bit different with our members being a mix of Cook Islanders, Filipinos and Samoans. We didn’t care about coming from different backgrounds, what we cared about was how connected we could be and how well we worked together. With the support of our teachers, we had what Tongans say as ‘māfana’, we had that warmth that was transferred to us, and we just let it all out on that stage.”

Top Shelf includes vocalists Mupopo Miller and Charles Lia, Sheneah Bayaban and Louise Ponifasio playing brass, Ashton Emmerson on bass and Taparia Engu on guitar. The band’s drummer Joshua Engu also took out the night’s Musicianship award.

Tangata Beats is run alongside Smokefreerockquest. Judging the national final this year were Roimata Fox, Jeff Newton (NZ On Air), and musicians Jeremiah Fale, and Jarna Parsons.

Jeff Newton noted that the band brought a lot of energy observing, “It felt like Supergroove reincarnated. They knew who they were, where they were, and where they were going.”

Finesse from Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls were named the second place winners in the band category. Ezekiel Fata-Meafou from Hutt Valley High School in Te Whanganui-a-Tara was named the winning Solo/Duo act for 2024. Fata-Meafou said that hearing his name as the winner felt unreal.

“I was shocked at first. I didn’t even think I would get past the first round, so it’s pretty incredible. In my song writing I really want to send a message of encouragement to anyone who is struggling, and let them know they’re not alone,” said the 18-year-old musician.