The Underdog 2026 | Heat H (Emo/Shoegaze)

⚠️ 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 H (Emo/Shoegaze)

🔥 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.

✪ AMALFI
Shoegaze · Emo · Alt

https://linktr.ee/weareamalfiband

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/jzn3uLLmYXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/DOll1Wf7nzw

FOR FANS OF: Biffy Clyro, Glassjaw, Future Islands

✪ MY MATE DENNIS
Mid-West Emo

https://linktr.ee/mymatedennis

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2S3HxnpCFKY92CRxjKMtys
WATCH: https://youtu.be/5ZU2X__tRYw

FOR FANS OF: Mom Jeans, Michael Cera Palin, Braid

✪ OSCAR AND THE KARMA
Melodic Hardcore · Emo

https://linktr.ee/OscarandtheKarma

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/album/67n2OBGDstSIij0Mx5vP1w
WATCH: https://youtu.be/HTYwOXMPGuk

FOR FANS OF: Deftones, La Dispute, Modern Colour

✪ POINT 5
Grunge · Alt-Rock

https://linktr.ee/Point5band

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/yTYZtRm8UXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/JhRVeCDzUl4

FOR FANS OF: Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr., Alice in Chains

✪ THROUGH HER EYES
Alt-Rock · Shoegaze

https://linktr.ee/throughhereyesband

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/2KQpqdzvTXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/ur9qZBc6YCk

FOR FANS OF: Deftones, Loathe, My Vitriol

✪ TOO PRETTY I’M SCARED
Emo · Slowcore

https://linktr.ee/tooprettyimscared

LISTEN: https://on.soundcloud.com/hMJIX3hVQxiSYCG1zr
WATCH: https://youtu.be/bBhJv4vC7sE

FOR FANS OF: Rites of Spring, American Football, The Get Up Kids

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

WHEN? ⇾ Saturday 31st 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