The finalists for the Kitsap Battle of the Bands competition have been announced for the Sept. 28 finale at Olympic College in Bremerton.

The Silverdale loanDepot team announced the finalists on the Kitsap County Battle of the Bands Facebook page Aug. 30. The bands that made it to the finals in each category had the highest scores and were voted on by a panel of judges. The four criteria that the judges graded on were cohesiveness, stage presence, crowd reaction and overall talent.

Two bands will compete in the under-18 category for a chance to win a $4,000 Olympic College Foundation scholarship. Those bands are rock group Eleventy One and punk group Sailing Camp.

Four bands will compete for $4,000 cash from Silverdale loanDepot in the 18-and-older category. Those bands are blues/rock group Skinny Blue, country ensemble Joel Gibson Jr. and the Hired Guns, indie rock brothers Suite Clarity and alternative rock group OneSki.

“All the bands stood out in various areas, but overall, the bands advancing into the finale were terrific choices,” said Frank Portello of loanDepot.

“They were all very excited and appreciative that loanDepot had created this competition to highlight local upcoming music talent. We had a few bands ask for constructive criticism on their performances after the finalists were revealed.”

The finale is all set for Saturday, Sept. 28, and will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Olympic College’s William D. Harvey Theatre.

“We would like to fill the auditorium with music lovers, fans and bands who may be interested in applying for the 2020 Kitsap Battle of the Bands,” Portello said.

“We are also looking for sponsors for the 2020 Kitsap Battle of the Bands.”