Bay of Plenty bands Shedd, Storm Eater and In Darkest Light are through to the next round of the hotly contested Battle of the Bands National Championship after last night's semi-final battle in Mount Maunganui.

Storm Eater are one of the three Bay of Plenty bands through to the second semi-final.

The three bands, including The Flaming Tea Bags, played at Brewers Bar in Mount Maunganui on Saturday night competing for a spot in the regional final of the national competition.

The second semi-final is at Brewers Bar on June 8 where another round of bay bands will compete for a spot in the regional final in a second semi-final heat.

Battle of the Bands is New Zealand's largest and longest running R18 band competition with events taking place nationwide.

The competition has helped the careers of many well-known New Zealand artists, including Opshop, Tadpole and Blindspott since its introduction in 1993.

Three months of elimination rounds are being held at multiple live music venues across the country. Each venue hosts a series of heats, semi-finals and regional finals.

Throughout the event, judging and voting determines each region's champions who then represent their region at the National Final in Auckland.

Organisers have been scouring the country for the hottest band since April3 and will finish on June 29.

Voters can text vote for their favourite band which contributes to the final scoring. Text the band's name to 5405. Texts cost 50 cents.

For a full list of bands competing and all events visit www.battleofthebands.co.nz