The Underdog 2026 | Heat F (Alt Rock/Punk)

⚠️ 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:

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
THE UNDERDOG 2026 · Heat F (Alt Rock/Punk)

🔥 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:
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

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.

✪ BALLOON TOMB
Party Punk

www.instagram.com/balloon_tomb/

FOR FANS OF: Rage Against the Machine, Idles, Limp Bizkit

✪ BUTANE SKIES
Alternative Melodic Rock

https://linktr.ee/butaneskies

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5DNxdhmTncGhqDuOLmFZUY
WATCH: https://youtu.be/70a7HeO4u80

FOR FANS OF: Muse, My Chemical Romance, Radiohead

✪ DIRTBASEMENT
Alternative Rock · Pop Punk

https://www.instagram.com/dirtbasementband/

LISTEN: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/climate/1840463906

FOR FANS OF: New Found Glory, Neck Deep, Blink-182

✪ HËLENBACH
Heavy Rock

https://www.instagram.com/helenbach666/

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/0YUBNSRlgOEkqTFLqb0Eyz

FOR FANS OF: Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Lillian Axe

✪ SACRELIGION
Grunge · Punk

https://linktr.ee/sacreligion

FOR FANS OF: Deftones, Mannequin Pussy, Nirvana

✪ WRECKSHIP
Alternative Rock · Post-Pop Punk

https://linktr.ee/butaneskies

LISTEN:https://open.spotify.com/track/1KS6MeRJ42zvVGy7En7L38
WATCH:https://youtu.be/HUBlvPvTRjw

FOR FANS OF: Basement, Lower Than Atlantis, The Story So Far

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

WHEN? ⇾ Saturday 24th 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:
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
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:
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
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