The Underdog 2026 | Semi Final B @ Thekla

⚠️ Please double-check the event you're buying tickets for! We have three similar-looking events, so please ensure you buy tickets for the correct Semi-Final. ⚠️

WE NEED BANDS X Synthetica Present:

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THE UNDERDOG 2026 · Semi-Final B

🔥 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!

With the twelve heats complete, our eighteen talented semi-finalists will battle across three shows for one of the six coveted spots at the Grand Final at O2 Academy Bristol. 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

✪ BALLOON TOMB
Party Punk

www.instagram.com/balloon_tomb/

WATCH: https://youtu.be/ndp_DEFbhbI

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

✪ DREDGE
Noise · Punk · Sludge

https://www.dredgetheband.com/

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2uQFUzUxYVXveO2FF9cpRX
WATCH: https://youtu.be/HY65zMXaneM

FOR FANS OF: Melvins, ’68, Empire State Bastard

✪ INSIGNIA
Rock · Metal

https://linktr.ee/Insignia_band

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/5SDcsWrEGP4
WATCH: https://youtu.be/IiDkW4ANP7w

FOR FANS OF: Deftones, Royal Blood, Bring Me The Horizon

✪ 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

✪ WORLD//ERROR
Metal Fusion

https://www.instagram.com/worlderrorband/

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/G8UcPquKPXb
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUHpBazvHYc

FOR FANS OF: Northlane, Silent Planet, Make Them Suffer

The INFO:
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WHERE? ⇾ Thekla
www.TheklaBristol.co.uk
The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB

WHEN? ⇾ Sunday 5th April

WHAT TIME? ⇾ 6:30pm-11:00pm

HOW MUCH? ⇾
Artist Pre-Sales (5X Votes): £11.00 + BF (Exclusive to Headfirst)
Early Bird (3X Votes): £12.00 + BF (Exclusive to Fatsoma)
General Release (2X Votes): £13.00 + 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