The Underdog 2026 | Heat J (Indie/Rock)

⚠️ 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 J (Indie/Rock)

🔥 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.

✪ EJECTOR SEAT
Rock

https://linktr.ee/Ejector_Seat

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/44WFDxfEV0QaDZAcHCJI0x
WATCH: https://youtube.com/shorts/SQUTyUCNqFw

FOR FANS OF: The Stone Roses, The Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis

✪ EVANGELINE
Indie Funk

https://www.evangeline-music.com/

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/wTmB2_2ck4w
WATCH: https://youtu.be/d9qtC9YuiZE

FOR FANS OF: Arlo Parks, Hayley Williams, Wolf Alice

✪ HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CAT?
Indie · Garage Rock

https://haveyouseenthiscat.carrd.co/

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5RGKeo8mrJCBSHZE3MnVAv
WATCH: https://youtu.be/cQLe5EjT26s

FOR FANS OF: The Strokes, Pavement, Ty Segall

✪ LOLITE
Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/lolite.band

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/4SGGE4vW2cXvYJf07MzHcJ
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Ppp7Frfkq7k

FOR FANS OF: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Overpass, Kings of Leon

✪ SEB LONGHORN
Folk rock

https://linktr.ee/seblonghorn

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/MrImpgJt9LA
WATCH: https://youtu.be/pNlNYkKiBUY

FOR FANS OF: Paul Simon, Belle and Sebastian, Frank Turner

✪ THE VIVAS
Indie Rock

https://linktr.ee/thevivas

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Eug34F1PlxudXcLoOc4hd
WATCH: https://youtu.be/zxeQNm-xluI

FOR FANS OF: The Royston Club, Inhaler, The Libertines

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

WHEN? ⇾ Saturday 7th 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