Bands from across the Cairns region excited the crowd at Gilligan's in Cairns yesterday and competed for a shot at stardom

Five local bands were given stage time during heat one of the Battle of the Bands, which gives them the chance to perform alongside four of the hottest music acts at this year's timeOUT concert on August 30 at the CairnsShowground.

Two bands will be chosen from each of three heats to play in the final on August 8, which will determine who will jam with Scribe, Kisschasy, Blue King Brown and Faker.

Last night, Minus Penny and One Eye Deer won the first heat. The Cairns Post marketing manager Sylvia Palumbo said the bands played a diverse genre of music, including rock and reggae.

She said this year's Battle of the Bands gave groups a better opportunity to shine because last year there was a single 10-band final.

"It's great for local talent to be playing with that kind of calibre," Ms Palumbo said. "Last year, it was so hard to pick from the bands."

Start collecting your tokens this Saturday in The Cairns Post for free admission to the concert.

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