The Underdog 2026 | Heat K (Punk/Grunge)

⚠️ 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 K (Punk/Grunge)

🔥 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.

✪ BIG MUSSELS
Post-Punk · Harsh Noise

https://linktr.ee/Bigmussels

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/79QBIeKCu0M1fiyBw41yfN
WATCH: https://youtu.be/xmjZ-PU1ZTE

FOR FANS OF: Gilla Band, A Place to Bury Strangers, Queens of the Stone Age

✪ DREDGE
Noise · Punk · Sludge

https://www.dredgetheband.com/

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2uQFUzUxYVXveO2FF9cpRX
WATCH: https://youtu.be/HY65zMXaneM

FOR FANS OF: Melvins, ’68, Empire State Bastard

✪ GUNKUS
Indie Punk · Alternative Rock

https://linktr.ee/gunkus

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/3M77yFAxRbu2E32rn47Bg2
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM9f-pV8_XA

FOR FANS OF: Ween, Husker Du, The National

✪ GURP
Folk · Punk · Grunge

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/0njEE0C5RqxqNTNIkYOtip
WATCH: https://youtu.be/qutQf9ZmMqw

FOR FANS OF: The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, Lankum

✪ HONEYGLOW
Riot Grrrl · Grunge

https://linktr.ee/honeyglowisaband

WATCH: https://youtu.be/oT9OXVmJ8KU

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

✪ MOXIE DOLLS
Indie · Alt · Rock

https://linktr.ee/moxiedollsband

FOR FANS OF: Kasabian, Amyl and the Sniffers, Bloc Party

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

WHEN? ⇾ Friday 13th February

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