The Underdog 2026 | Semi Final C @ 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 C

🔥 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.

✪ AKIRA
Indie Rock · Pop · Hip-Hop

https://linktr.ee/AKIRA_artis

WATCH: https://youtu.be/3yjKq9Enj2s

FOR FANS OF: The Wombats, Twenty One Pilots, Loyle Carner

✪ BUTANE SKIES
Alternative Melodic Rock

https://linktr.ee/butaneskies

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5DNxdhmTncGhqDuOLmFZUY
WATCH: https://youtu.be/70a7HeO4u80

FOR FANS OF: Muse, My Chemical Romance, Radiohead

✪ HONEYGLOW
Riot Grrrl · Grunge

https://linktr.ee/honeyglowisaband

WATCH: https://youtu.be/oT9OXVmJ8KU

FOR FANS OF: Mannequin Pussy, Amyl and The Sniffers, Elastica

✪ JUMP JUMP JOAN
Indie · Pop Punk

https://linktr.ee/jumpjumpjoan

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/7az4dwA9Z3qVw8E83YZ9JP
WATCH: https://youtu.be/7B1o8MjBGaw

FOR FANS OF: Paramore, Elastica, Garbage

✪ THE PAVILION
Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/thepavilionband

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/3Ei_YTD1sbo
WATCH: https://youtu.be/fwTUj0c53Tg

FOR FANS OF: Catfish and The Bottlemen, The Backseat Lovers, Overpass

✪ 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

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

WHEN? ⇾ Sunday 12th April

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