More Bay of Plenty bands are wanted to fill slots in this year's Battle of the Bands nationwide competition.

Entries for the hotly contested battle opened this week and so far organisers say only two Bay of Plenty bands have entered the competition.

Bay of Plenty band Storm Eater are one of two bands entered in the competition so far. Photo: Supplied.

The two bands confirmed to compete in the first heat at Brewers Bar in Mount Maunganui are Storm Eater and Uneven Ground.

Battle of the Bands has helped the careers of many prominent artists including Opshop, Tadpole and Blindspott.

The 2013 event will host more than 50 live shows around the country starting April 3.

Brewers Bar in Mount Maunganui will present a series of heats, semi-finals and regional-finals at different stages during the competition.

Throughout the event, judging and voting from industry professionals and musicians, including 50 per cent counted by an audience vote, will determine each region's champions.

Regional winners will continue to represent their region at the two-night national finals in Auckland.

Among gaining national attention, the winning band will receive an array of prizes including a spot in the line-up at the New Year's Eve Rhythm and Vines Festival.

The winners will record their first single with York Street Studios including recording time with Marmalade Studios and Morecoreaudio.

Enter online at www.battleofthebands.co.nz

Mount Maunganui visits:

Heat 1: Saturday April 6 Brewers bar

Heat 2: Saturday April 27 Brewers Bar

Heat 3: Saturday may 18 brewers Bar

Semi -final 1: Saturday May 25 Brewers Bar

Semi-final 2: Saturday June 1 Brewers Bar

Regional-final: Saturday June 22 Brewers Bar