The Underdog 2026 | Heat D (Hard Rock/Metal)

⚠️ 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 D (Hard Rock/Metal)

🔥 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.

✪ ALIBI
Alt Rock

https://linktr.ee/weareyouralibi.band

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/YEbg6ogPOXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/xA5LokSWCUw

FOR FANS OF: Soundgarden, Mammoth, Halestorm

✪ INSINCERE
Dark Metal

https://www.allmylinks.com/insincereband

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/4VoFwP6fwhFv9mLxZrfelE
WATCH: https://youtu.be/sCEup_Y2mh4

FOR FANS OF: Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Within Temptation

✪ MARTYRS SAINT
Crossover Thrash · Hardcore

https://linktr.ee/martyrthrash

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/MKOhl5tNSXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/b3GAzD-dyZo

FOR FANS OF: Gojira, Megadeth, Power Trip

✪ POST VITA
Grunge · Metal

https://linktr.ee/postvitabanduk

FOR FANS OF: Deftones, Pantera, Type O Negative

✪ RIZEN
Rock

https://www.rizen-rock.com/

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/5i4Nv2N8RXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/hU1s7CZ1gaI

FOR FANS OF: Def Leppard, Mötley Crue, Royal Blood

✪ SHADOW OF ICARUS
Progressive Metal

https://linktr.ee/shadowoficarus

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/album/6yqEDQeS7nyH6WuIH88vvN
WATCH: https://youtu.be/kEqW8xw9xmA

FOR FANS OF: Trivium, Metallica, Twelve Foot Ninja

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

WHEN? ⇾ Saturday 17th 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).

Artist WAITLIST:
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Didn’t get your application in on time? ⏰
Join our Artist Waitlist and be the first to hear if a slot becomes available!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/QxdxxYBKAUSf4Z4p9

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