After months of practices, rehearsals, and live performances, tonight five finalists will go head-to-head in Cumbria’s biggest battle of the bands.

The event at the Monroes Bar, in Workington, will see the Cumbrian acts take to the stage in the hope of taking home the £1,000 prize and bagging a slot at the Aspatria Music Festival this summer.

The bands performing are round one winners Water’s Edge, The Scumbrians from round two, round three winners Cobalt Collision, and joint winners from round four, Audioclub and Heartbreak Remedy.

Rock band Heartbreak Remedy were over the moon at the prospect of potentially winning the competition.

Drummer and backing vocalist Steve said: “It’s been a great event in trying to get people out to see live music in West Cumbria.

“A lot of the bands are playing original music and there aren’t many places to be able to showcase original music these days, as most people want to hear covers.

“Getting to the final is great for us as we have spent the past year as a three-piece and writing new material, which we have been adding into our set.

“We will be looking to record early on this year so it’s good to get this feedback on the songs we have been writing. In regards to the final, we will just be playing as we always do, leave all problems behind, give it every last bit of energy and play with our hearts on our sleeves.

“Hopefully the crowd will enjoy what we do and if they do, our job is done.”

Michael Smith, from Carlisle-based indie rock four-piece Audioclub, said: “We’re really chuffed to get into final. The competition was so tough we we’re actually really surprised to get through. We’re pulling out all the stops for the final with a whole new set-list and maybe a surprise or two.”

For the Scumbrians, it’s the excitement of getting back on stage at the venue.

The band’s Kristie Mason said: “It feels great to be in the final, for sure. We have enjoyed being part of the competition and playing to new people and seeing them enjoy our music.

“We have also enjoyed the amount of publicity that has come with competition. I think the organisers and the venue have done a great job sorting everything out for the bands.

“If we were to win the competition it would do us a world of good and enable us to get some real needed better gear and equipment, but overall it’s been a pleasure to be part of.”

The Battle of the Bands final takes place at Monroes Bar in the Carnegie Theatre, in Workington, tonight.