The Underdog 2026 | Heat C (Indie/Pop)

⚠️ 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 C (Indie/Pop)

🔥 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.

✪ AKIRA
Indie Rock · Pop · Hip-Hop

https://linktr.ee/AKIRA_artist

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

✪ ASH DODD
Indie · Rock

https://linktr.ee/ashdoddofficial

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/lT3O3X3COXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/8mKkBN8_Y7E

FOR FANS OF: Sam Fender, Noah Kahan, Phoebe Bridgers

✪ COME TO MINE
Pop

https://linktr.ee/cometomine

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/3okoeBmSL1U
WATCH: https://youtu.be/D2VmvCYA9DA

FOR FANS OF: Charlie Puth, Troye Sivan, The Weeknd

✪ MACHINE MIRAGE
Indie Rock · Indie Pop · Alternative

https://www.instagram.com/machine_mirage/

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/0mg1VWYQCkCS1KfltbmvHt

FOR FANS OF: Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead, King Gizzard

✪ MOLLY FLETCHER HEBDEN
Alternative Pop Rock

https://linktr.ee/mollyfletcherhebden

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/1tgprLBdPsLeGNvfClAQxB
WATCH: https://youtu.be/ap0kLIx3d9Q

FOR FANS OF: Wolf Alice, Fleetwood Mac, Gracie Abrams

✪ NOVA PARK
Alternative Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/n0vapark

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/0bkHS5dstUB8mfuYsNoNuo
WATCH: https://youtu.be/lf9A9X7eKGk

FOR FANS OF: Catfish And The Bottlemen, Inhaler, Miles Kane

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

WHEN? ⇾ Friday 16th 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).

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