ORGANISERS have labelled the weekend's Airlie Beach Battle of the Bands "a huge success", with 16 acts competing over two days for $1500 cash and a spot on the Airlie Beach Music Festival line-up in November this year.

Event co-ordinator Andrew Pattinson said there wasn't an empty seat at Magnums Hotel for the duration of the competition, which ran from noon until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

"Hundreds of music fans were packed into Magnums on both days and were very supportive of all the original acts," he said.

Acts came from Mackay and Townsville, as well as the local area and while all fought hard, the battle was eventually won by The Natural Culture, who just edged out local reggae masters Sun Salute and Townsville blues journeyman Tim Griffin, who came second and third.

Mr Pattinson said The Natural Culture wooed the judges with a really tight set of funk and jazzy originals.

"But it was their two-piece horn section and their ability to pull fans from the street that eventually swayed the judges," he said.

Comprising Finch Hatton couple Steve Silk and Sarah Taylor, otherwise known as the duo 'Taylor and Silk', The Natural Culture also includes Mitchell Hager on drums, David Pike on trumpet, Josh Appleby on tenor saxophone and Casey Glennon on bass.

Steve Silk said the band was very happy to have won and saw it as a "pat on the back, to say 'keep doing what you're doing'".

Mr Pattinson said special mention must also go to the other local bands who particularly impressed the crowds such as Rebelquin, Fox n Hound and The Mirror Moves.

"I really felt for the judges as it was that close [and] I was really impressed with the standard of original music on show - it was a mini festival and had the same vibe," he said.

The Natural Culture will now have to wait until November to battle it out with eight other regional Passport to Airlie Beach Battle of the Bands winners, based from Cairns to Newcastle.

All winners will take part in a super battle at Magnums Hotel on November 7 and 8, with the ultimate winner scoring a spot on the festival's main stage at the Whitsunday Sailing Club on Sunday, November 9.