The Underdog 2026 | Heat G (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 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:
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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.

✪ LOAB
Indie · Grunge · Post-Rock

https://loabmusic.com/

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/SLZfmeGgQXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/tnNQHMkPO3A

FOR FANS OF: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro, Queens of the Stone Age

✪ 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

✪ SOPHIE & THE STICKS
Alt-Pop

https://linktr.ee/sophieandthesticks

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/rkLmZWjSVXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/yGQpRX9kkzE

FOR FANS OF: CMAT, Lily Allen, Lola Young

✪ THE RADIO MAKERS
Glam · Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/theradiomakers

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2qVf8hgkUX5Im0wqueMi5r
WATCH: https://youtu.be/B9ApNie8nsQ

FOR FANS OF: Duran Duran, INXS, Blondie

✪ VACANT SHORES
Electronic · Indie · Pop

https://linktr.ee/vacantshores

LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/vacantshores/flat-circle/
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUn0_w7VjNw

FOR FANS OF: Moderat, Portishead, Chvrches

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

WHEN? ⇾ Friday 30th January

WHAT TIME? ⇾ 7:00pm-11:00pm

HOW MUCH? ⇾
Super Early Bird (4X Votes): £7.00 + BF
Early Bird (3X Votes): £8.00 + BF
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