The Underdog 2026 | Heat B (Indie/Rock)

⚠️ 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:

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THE UNDERDOG 2026 · HEAT B (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:
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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.

✪ ATHENA
Alt-Pop · Rock

https://hype.co/@musiqbyathena

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/4bXlvzazbYvEnZI2GeW0O6
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NhVFUrX2nZ8?si=UXnK51Z1rwmdEy8I
FOR FANS OF: Pale Waves, Pvris, Chvrches

✪ COMBUSTION
Indie · Rock

https://linktr.ee/COMBUSTIONTHEBAND

FOR FANS OF: Fontaines D.C, The Offspring, Weezer

✪ ROSARY DRIVE
Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/RosaryDriveMusic

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

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

✪ SNAKE IN THE FOOTSPA
Indie Rock

https://hoo.be/snakeinthefootspa

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/14IJm2n2R...
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Nznq7e8Qu9k

FOR FANS OF: Catfish and The Bottlemen, The Royston Club, The Kooks

✪ SUPERMARCHE
Indie Fusion
https://www.supermarche.uk/
FOR FANS OF: King Krule, Black Country New Road, Wunderhorse

✪ VIDUALS
Alternative Rock

https://linktr.ee/Viduals

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/4Da9QjrlEkg7LUv2WXMnZE
WATCH: https://youtu.be/fmttOuNXmaI

FOR FANS OF: Weezer, The Foo Fighters, The Libertines

The INFO:
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WHERE? ⇾ The Thunderbolt
124 Bath Rd, Bristol, BS4 3ED

WHEN? ⇾ Saturday 10th 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 + BF
Final 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).

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