The Underdog 2026 | Semi Final A @ Thekla

⚠️ Please double-check the event you're buying tickets for! We have three similar-looking events, so please ensure you buy tickets for the correct Semi-Final. ⚠️

WE NEED BANDS X Synthetica Present:

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THE UNDERDOG 2026 · Semi-Final A

🔥 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!

With the twelve heats complete, our eighteen talented semi-finalists will battle across three shows for one of the six coveted spots at the Grand Final at O2 Academy Bristol. 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:
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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.

✪ A STRANGE ALLIANCE
Indie · Alt Rock

https://linktr.ee/astrangealliance

WATCH: https://youtu.be/MnIb5mGNO_o

FOR FANS OF: Oasis, Inhaler, Catfish and The Bottlemen

✪ EVANGELINE
Indie Funk

https://www.evangeline-music.com/

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/xuoaRsyxtts
WATCH: https://youtu.be/d9qtC9YuiZE

FOR FANS OF: Arlo Parks, Hayley Williams, Talking Heads

✪ EJECTOR SEAT
Rock

https://linktr.ee/Ejector_Seat

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/44WFDxfEV0QaDZAcHCJI0x
WATCH: https://youtube.com/shorts/SQUTyUCNqFw

FOR FANS OF: The Stone Roses, The Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis

✪ OPEN RETURN
Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/open.return

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5qRoEw6TnbGBFhlu8xBJn4
WATCH: https://youtu.be/_RSedjws61Y

FOR FANS OF: Foo Fighters, Foals, Bad Nerves

✪ ROSARY DRIVE
Indie Rock

?si=wS-XA1FvJTKeSWd0

https://linktr.ee/RosaryDriveMusic

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/PgvtH8lxOXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/jCubIkt3bpc

FOR FANS OF: Catfish and The Bottlemen, Wunderhorse, Sam Fender

✪ SEB LONGHORN
Folk Rock

https://linktr.ee/seblonghorn

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/MrImpgJt9LA
WATCH: https://youtu.be/pNlNYkKiBUY

FOR FANS OF: Paul Simon, Belle and Sebastian, Frank Turner

The INFO:
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WHERE? ⇾ Thekla
www.TheklaBristol.co.uk
The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB

WHEN? ⇾ Sunday 29th March

WHAT TIME? ⇾ 6:30pm-11:00pm

HOW MUCH? ⇾
Artist Pre-Sales (5X Votes): £11.00 + BF (Exclusive to Headfirst)
Early Bird (3X Votes): £12.00 + BF (Exclusive to Fatsoma)
General Release (2X Votes): £13.00 + BF

Please Note: Only one ticket can be claimed per person (you cannot buy multiple tickets for the extra votes).

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