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⚠️ Please double-check the heat you're buying tickets for! We have twelve similar-looking events, so please ensure you buy tickets for the correct heat. ⚠️WE NEED BANDS X Synthetica Present:
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔THE UNDERDOG 2026 · HEAT G (Indie/Rock)
🔥 The Underdog Is Back for 2026! 🔥
After a record-breaking 2025, Bristol’s most electrifying battle of the bands returns — bigger, louder, and wilder than ever!
The Heats will see hundreds of local musicians go head-to-head for one of just eighteen golden spots at the Thekla Semi-Finals. From there, our finalists will fight for glory — and a massive prize haul, including:
💷 £1,000 cash — no strings attached
🎙️ Two full days in a professional recording studio
👕 50 custom-printed band t-shirts
📸 A killer promo photoshoot
🚌 A mini South West tour
Since launching in 2015, The Underdog has become a Bristol institution — the go-to series for up-and-coming talent and a true alternative to the big-name competitions. Past events have rocked legendary venues like O2 Academy, Thekla, The Fleece, Exchange, The Thunderbolt, and Zed Alley.
This year, 72 bands from across the South West and Wales will throw down in our biggest showdown yet. But when the dust settles… There can only be one Underdog Champion. 🏆
📱 Follow the action and join the hype: #UnderdogBristol
⚠️ Please Note: Only one ticket can be claimed per person (you cannot buy multiple tickets for the extra votes).
The BANDS:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Please note – the line-up will be determined on the night; bands are listed here in alphabetical order and do not reflect the running order.
✪ DEADLY NIGHTSHADEGrunge · Shoegaze · Punk
https://www.instagram.com/deadly_nightshadee_
FOR FANS OF: Nirvana, Hum, My Bloody Valentine
✪ LOABIndie · Grunge · Post-Rock
https://loabmusic.com/
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/SLZfmeGgQXbWATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro, Queens of the Stone Age
✪ OPEN RETURNIndie Rock
https://linktr.ee/open.return
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5qRoEw6TnbGBFhlu8xBJn4WATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Foo Fighters, Foals, Bad Nerves
✪ SOPHIE & THE STICKSAlt-Pop
https://linktr.ee/sophieandthesticks
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/rkLmZWjSVXbWATCH:
FOR FANS OF: CMAT, Lily Allen, Lola Young
✪ THE RADIO MAKERSGlam · Indie Rock
https://linktr.ee/theradiomakers
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2qVf8hgkUX5Im0wqueMi5rWATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Duran Duran, INXS, Blondie
✪ VACANT SHORESElectronic · Indie · Pop
https://linktr.ee/vacantshores
LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/vacantshores/flat-circle/WATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Moderat, Portishead, Chvrches
The INFO:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔WHERE? ⇾ The Thunderbolt124 Bath Rd, Bristol, BS4 3ED
WHEN? ⇾ Friday 30th January
WHAT TIME? ⇾ 7:00pm-11:00pm
HOW MUCH? ⇾Super Early Bird (4X Votes): SOLD OUT!Early Bird (3X Votes): SOLD OUT!General Release (2X Votes): £9.00 + BFFinal Release (1X Vote): £9.00 + BF
Please Note: Only one ticket can be claimed per person (you cannot buy multiple tickets for the extra votes).
Artist WAITLIST:
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Didn’t get your application in on time? ⏰
Join our Artist Waitlist and be the first to hear if a slot becomes available!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/QxdxxYBKAUSf4Z4p9
Follow All The Action:
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Search #UnderdogBristol on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all The Underdog 2026 news, or follow us on social media via:
www.instagram.com/UnderdogBristol
www.facebook.com/UnderdogBristol
Disclaimer:
The event listed here is purely for informational purposes. All the details such as venue, date/time, artist information, etc., are subject to change.
This event is not associated with or sponsored by AllEvents, but it may be of interest to you. You can explore more such events with us at AllEvents.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Thunderbolt, The Thunderbolt, Bristol, EN, United Kingdom
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