Eight Bay of Plenty bands are set to battle it out in the regional final of the hotly contested Battle of the Bands National Championship after five bands made it through last night's second semi-final in Mount Maunganui.

Airs and Disgraces are through to the regional finals of Battle of the Bands. Photo: Facebook.

Five bands Hurricane Tilly, Night Fury, Airs and Disgraces, Uneven Ground and Cast a Cyclone competed at Brewers Bar on Saturday night and will now join semi-final 1 winners Storm Eater, Shedd and In Darkest Light for the regional final on June 22.

The regional final is at Brewers Bar in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, June 22.

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