Heat 3 was by far the biggest night yet. A devoted and intent audience witnessed some incredible live energy + noise, from some of Ōtepoti Dunedin's finest emerging talent.

House band 70's Corn Syrup Explosion were so wonderful in Heat 1 and 2 that we had to ask them back AGAIN. A really really unique band - how good is a sax solo!

Proboscis? started the night off - their first ever gig. And wow what an audience to play to for their first time... they brought their fans out in mass. I see a bright future of packed-out pint nights for them very shortly!

Achtung! were an awesome post-punk band, a conglomeration of "Title Fight" and "DIIV", with their own unique twist. Thoroughly impressed at their stage charisma and their high-octane, sludgy post-energy.

One Day, the eventual tied-winners of the heat, are a band that is seriously starting to make a name for themselves amongst the Dunedin scene. They have been gigging up a storm and developing some incredible momentum, and this is reflected in their playing ability. Tight, tight musicianship and banging originals (especially their original, "Paper Doll"). Excited to see what the next few years brings for One Day, and congrats on progressing through to the final!

Doctor Wazoo; the musician's musicians. A rather technical band, with some meticulous time signature changes and a lineup of unique instruments. Incredible artistry, drawing inspiration from the likes of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Their Radiohead cover was brutally awesome, and their originals were tight as.

The Daze brought some heat. Some fast paced and energy-enhancing originals, and catchy melodies, it is clear to see they are one of Dunedin's favourite bands. Hence why they earned themselves a wildcard to progress through to the final... Congrats!

Pages Layn are Dunedin's Led Zeppelin, without a doubt. Drawing on the classic rock era, with blistering solo and smooth vocal, Pages Layn are a Dunedin super-group of sorts. They are dialled like your morning coffee routine - something you arguably cannot go without. Congrats on earning yourselves a wildcard to progress through to the final, fellas!

Caribou finished the night off, and boy oh boy did they deliver. A cross-dress stage-show with magnificently eclectic personality, and originals that are already etched into Dunedin's alternative-loving-music audience's minds... Caribou thoroughly deserved to win, and the audience thought so too, as they won Heat 3 by tie in conjunction with One Day, to progress through to the final!

Roll on DIG THE GIG OU GRAND FINAL - we have an all-star Ötepoti lineup; it is set to be a MASSIVE night.