Preparations for LouFest 2012 continue shaping up with news that the LouFest High School Battle of the Bands contest is returning.

The battles will take place June 2 and June 9 at Off Broadway.

Local high school students will face off to perform on the side stage in Area K of this year's LouFest, taking place Aug. 25-26 in Forest Park.

Twelve bands will be selected to compete; six bands will compete each night.

The bands compete from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. both nights.

LouFest founder Brian Cohen says "we're really excited to have this competition return. Last year, the high school bands that played the Area K stage got rave reviews and garnered lots of attention for themselves. To provide that kind of opportunity for up and coming bands is very important to us."

Qualifying bands must live within 30 miles of St. Louis and the average age of the band must be 19 years of age or younger.

Get more information at loufest.com/battleofthebands.