The Underdog 2026 | Heat A (Alt 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 A (Alt 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.

✪ BLACK HOLE DECIBEL
Hard Rock · Grunge · Metal

https://linktr.ee/blackholedecibel

WATCH: https://youtu.be/hySSl9OUSug

FOR FANS OF: Queens of the Stone Age, Alice in Chains, Mastodon

✪ BLUNTNOSE
Alt-Metal · Hardcore

https://linktr.ee/bluntnose

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/ZIEAaz1jsss
WATCH: https://youtu.be/60NUtat-9x0

FOR FANS OF: Deftones, A Day To Remember, Kublai Khan

✪ ICE HOUSE
Psychedelic · Stoner

https://linktr.ee/Ice.House

LISTEN: https://on.soundcloud.com/JKDfTW5rDkK9i9UJ3A
WATCH: https://youtu.be/a3Mi2vtX9xU

FOR FANS OF: Queens of the Stone Age, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Kyuss

✪ 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

✪ INTRUSIVE
Riff Rock

https://linktr.ee/intrusive_band

LISTEN: https://spotify.link/0jzMY7BZSXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/udpR_pQNVhc

FOR FANS OF: Cleopatrick, Alice In Chains, Royal Blood

✪ RALLYANGO
Alt Rock

https://linktr.ee/rallyango

LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5vdK2xLVQ4fpmQC1FjfpAA
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SayCNvKIq70

FOR FANS OF: Queens of the Stone Age, Cage The Elephant, Biffy Clyro

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

WHEN? ⇾ Friday 9th 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