After scouting the U.S. to find the most promising unsigned bands, Billboard has chosen the best -- all poised to compete for your ears. Click on a region of the map to check out the groups from each area, and then vote for your favorites. The finalist from each of the six regions will roadtrip to Las Vegas to play head-to-head at our Battle of the Bands gig. The ultimate winner will perform at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards on May 22.

These performers were selected based on a variety of factors, including Heat Score, a formula that measures online fan engagement and drives Billboard's Uncharted chart of emerging artists. All competing artists have also been given a free subscription to Billboard Pro, a new website and toolset to help artists advance their careers. So vote now, and send your favorite bands to Vegas!

And The Bands ARE:

1. GRYNCH
2. HOTELS
3. CHAMPAGNE CHAMPAGNE
4. DUKE JUNIOR AND THE SMOKEY BOOTS
5. LIGHTNING LOVE
6. MYMYMY
7. TRAPHIK
8. THE DEADLIES  
9. AJ RAFAEL
10. BUTCHER BEAR & CHARLIE
11. DON'T WAKE AISLIN
12. OTENKI
13. DECODER
14. SIDE BY SIDE
15. ART OFFICIAL
16. THE CINNAMON FUZZ
17. GENTLEMEN HALL
18. APPOMATTOX

Source: billboard.com