MACHINE MIRAGE
Bristol based indie band, blending indie, jazz, and alt influences.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/77Mr2vXJhCygYCVHVw6AsV?si=rQ2BOkqgQHurByWmLjMnbg
BETTER DEAD
Brave, young Indie hopefuls.
https://www.instagram.com/better_d3ad/
CHAMFER
British singer-songwriter Matt White making waves in music!
https://www.instagram.com/cha.mfer/
TICKETS:
£6ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e156325)
£7OTD (CASH ONLY)
Bizarro Promotons Presents
TV Smith (The Adverts) & Quick Romance
TV Smith is one of the most creative people in the business he'll be playing songs from his days with The Adverts as well as other choice cuts from his huge back catalogue.
Quick Romance
If the bass line from The Rezillos’ “Flying Saucer Attack” married the vocal line from X-Ray Spex’s “Oh Bondage, Up Yours!”, with The Shangri-Las as bridesmaids; that’s Quick Romance. Singer, Matilda Scotland and her bandmates are real mean teens, in love with clothes, music and Brian Jones’s hair.
51st State
2 piece drums'n' bass punks from Southwest England. Punk/dub/industrial.
Tickets £13.00 adv/ £15.00 on the door https://hdfst.uk/e148384
THIS THUNDERBOLT IS CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE PARTY
VIDUALS
3 Piece Indie Rock from glorious Swindonia.
https://www.instagram.com/vidualsband/
ATHELNEY
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/athelney/medicine
ADDERS
Riff Driven Alternative Rock
https://open.spotify.com/artist/09bbWTv05P5AicU74UcxLf?si=upFAGSxFQm-qRQeajSvy9g
TICKETS:
£6ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e156364)
£7OTD (CASH ONLY)
DOORS: 7:30PM
SCREAMING DEAD
Screaming Dead are a punk rock band from Cheltenham formed in 1980, who have often been characterized as "horror punk". They released several singles and EPs with indie chart success, before splitting up in 1985. They reformed in 1997, disbanded again in 1999, and reformed with three original members in 2014. This line-up toured the East Coast of the USA in 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/officialscreamingdead
THE SAMPLES
Originally formed in 1978 and after self-releasing an EP in 1980, The Samples signed to No Future Records, releasing Government Downfall followed with their iconic Dead Hero EP in 1982. Wind forward to the present and the band, now a 3 piece after the loss of their original singer Sean, are back - gigging and releasing brand new material, including their debut studio album Speak Truth To Power.
https://www.facebook.com/TheSamplesPunkBand
VELOCETTE
2 piece gothic post punk from Bristol, UK.
https://velocette-band.bandcamp.com/
THE NEW DARK AGE
"JuJu-era Siouxsie meets Gang of Four" - The New Dark Age are an old-school post-punk four-piece from Bristol,UK
https://www.instagram.com/thenewdarkageofficial/
TICKETS:
£7ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e156374)
£8OTD (CASH ONLY)
DOORS: 7:30PM
FEVERJAW
Wales/South West Alternative Rock.
https://www.instagram.com/feverjaw/
GETAWAY
Bristol based metalcore.
https://www.instagram.com/getaway_.band/
THE SLOW COOKED BEARS
Alternative Rock served with a dash of Shoegaze and Punk from South London.
https://www.instagram.com/theslowcookedbears/
THE LIMIA
Bristol Pop Punk/Punk Rock.
https://www.instagram.com/thelimiaband/
RUNO
Indie/folk rock from Bristol.
BEN TOYNE AND THE NOISY SILENCE
Whimsical songs from Knowle, Bristol, UK.
https://www.instagram.com/bentoyne.noisysilence/
TICKETS:
£7ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e156377)
£8OTD (CASH ONLY)
DOORS: 5PM
NOVA PARK
Nova Park are a new band on the indie scene. Their first single, Go In was released back in September, receiving support from local radio and plenty of great feedback from across the music industry.
Influences ranging from The Beatles, Oasis, Catfish and The Bottlemen and The Lemonheads, Nova Park are guaranteed to deliver catchy indie anthems.
With choruses that will pin you against the wall, guitars so heavy they will make you crawl, it is safe to say Nova Park are one of the most exciting, young prospects about. With great songs to prove it and are even better live!
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mGBe0QagHZF0rMR9pH9IC?si=k16jeZxUTV6iWXA5zm5Knw
CALLOUT
Bristol based rock band.
https://www.instagram.com/callout_band/
A 2 STORY COLLAPSE
Alternative Rock/Punk Band formed in Bristol, UK.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3AczwW3n5Wkddxd0n0HdUu?si=awYgCr3KT9-4IQrbHpS76A
Ticket £6Adv from headfirstbristol (https://hdfst.uk/e157123)
£7OTD (CASH ONLY)
THE DWELLERS
Hailing from Bristol, this three-piece punk rock outfit blends sharp hooks with high-energy chaos. With a sound inspired by SoCal punk and a love for loud guitars and louder crowds, they bring fast, melodic tracks and a raw live presence that hits hard and sticks with you. No frills—just riffs, rhythm, and real feeling.
https://www.instagram.com/dwellersuk/
FUD!
Exercising their right to play loud and proud. FUD are an indie, alternative, post punk band who take the relentless high energy of The Hives and mashes it together with the simplistic riffs and melodies of The White Stripes. Then, when you least expect it, throw in a good few dollops of Hip hop secret source. This noisy blur of musical genres paired with the attitude of scare your self once a day “boo… Aaahhh” and nothing matters, so everything matters leads to ridiculous and absurd lyrical content, with deep and heart altering meaning.
https://fudtheband.bandcamp.com/track/electric-feeling-low
Go Crow Go
Go Crow Go started as a two person recording project, developing into a full band as we realised that we can't play everything at once. We play narrative driven, sing along songs born out of a shared love of sad country drinking songs, and being elbowed in the face at punk gigs.
https://www.instagram.com/gocrowgoband/
ROUSAKIS CAMPBELL
“Synthetic music for a synthetic revolution - Rousakis Campbell draws from the cross section between earnestly and ironically wearing a beret to create a drum machine anchored sound routed in a love of New Wave, synth pop and Chamber Pop extravagance to soundtrack whatever movement he thinks he’s part of.
https://www.instagram.com/rousakis_campbell/
POLYGAZE
A Bristol based event company that hosts live music events in support of grassroots bands, artists and venues
More info
The Thunderbolt, 124 Bath Rd, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 3ED
Tickets (https://hdfst.uk/e156903)
£4 (early bird)
£6 (general release)
£5 (low income)
Pay-what-you-can (£6 min)
Band Donation: opt in to donate £1, £3 or £5 upon checkout. Your donation goes straight into the bands pocket
7:00pm - Doors
7:30pm - 8:00pm - Rousakis Campbell
8:15pm - 8:45pm - Go Crow Go
9:00pm - 9:30pm - FUD
9:45pm - 10:30pm - DWELLERS
11:00pm - Curfew
Entry requirements: 18+ (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult)
HASTE
PAPERCUT
”Green day, but the lead singer stubbed his toe.” Papercut are a four-piece experimental punk and noise rock band from the South West
https://www.instagram.com/papercutband_official
CERULEAN
DOORS: 7.30pm
TICKETS:
£6 ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e158667)
£7 OTD (CASH ONLY)
Young Martyrs take on the ‘Bolt! Expect an evening of great songwriting.
YOUNG MARTYRS
Drums, guitar, plenty of harmonies, no filters. We don't have a brand, we just write honest songs about real life. If you're reading this, welcome aboard, hope you enjoy the ride.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4CChjD2ipOwWMY1XED1LkW?si=B_De_yOoTIuZScjuWDRpdA
TEORSTAN
Teorstan is led by songwriter, singer and guitarist Tom Martin. Named after the Anglo-Saxon word for the river that winds through Martin's hometown, Teorstan's songs reflect the storytelling of folk music, weaving stories that run like the channels of that same river, while thematically addressing the modern age.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4CChjD2ipOwWMY1XED1LkW?si=-fkK4u-QTRy0djwced1u-w
JESS CHIVERS
Indie/soft rock/Alt/Rock and Roll/Whatever mood she’s in at the time.
https://www.instagram.com/jess.chivers.music/
TICKETS:
£13ADV (https://www.youngmartyrs.com/shop/p/csemhfl297e04he887m8vqmrellk8i
https://www.youngmartyrs.com/shop/p/csemhfl297e04he887m8vqmrellk8i)
£15OTD (CASH ONLY)
Kieran and the Tapes come to The Thunderbolt on 15th August, with support from Your Volunteer Fire Department and Birth Tapes, and a DJ set from Roof Access. 6pm-1am.
Free entry with donations to Dorothy House very much encouraged!
https://www.justgiving.com/page/laura-fest-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
DOORS: 7.30pm
BIG GENIE
Two-piece Bristol band, playing indie/ electronic/ alternative rock.
For fans of Radiohead, Pink Floyd and Tame Impala.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3g1dC99A6zDIzAcQtyz9Vd?si=f98c355ff3444494
GRAVITATE
Melodic pop/rock.
https://soundcloud.com/gravitatebristol
ANYTHING BUT THAT
Bristol Indie alt band
https://www.instagram.com/anything.but.that.band/
DOORS: 7.30PM
TICKETS:
£6 ADV through headfirst (https://hdfst.uk/secret/bds7eax0dq)
£7 CASH OTD
SPINOUT NUGGETS: A SPINOUT RECORDS SHOWCASE NIGHT
MONAUX
‘Psych electronique’ equal parts analogue art-pop and controlled disorder.
https://www.instagram.com/monauxband/
DELICIOUS PATRICIA
Instrumental three piece surf band from West Cornwall. Meet 'Nicest Man Ever'
https://www.instagram.com/deliciouspatriciasurf/
LEE GRIMSHAW DJ
Spinout Record’s boss doing a DJ set!
https://www.instagram.com/leegrimmersgrimshaw/
TICKETS:
£5 ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e155714)
DOORS: 7:30PM
Single launch at The Thunderbolt for Midnight Finale!
MIDNIGHT FINALE
Bristol-based four-piece spanning the best of classic rock, Blues and psych-infused indie. Catchy songwriting meets strong musicianship, with plenty of good-time energy.
COWBOY ROBBY
TICKETS:
£6ADV (https://hdfst.uk/e156437)
£7OTD (CASH ONLY)
The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are back this August with their most ambitious event to date, THUNDERFEST, a three-day family-friendly music festival celebrating Bristol’s independent music scene.
Taking place across the August Bank Holiday weekend, 28th - 30th August 2026, THUNDERFEST will feature 20 local bands and artists across two stages at The Thunderbolt.
Following the success of last year’s Garden Party, The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are collaborating once again to support Bristol’s independent music scene and showcase emerging local talent.
The Main Stage sits at the heart of The Thunderbolt, and will feature 12 bands across the festival. Friday dedicated to punk, Saturday focusing on blues and rock, and Sunday showcasing indie and alternative rock.
The Bandstand is tucked away in the venue's humble and sunny beer garden, and will host 8 acoustic solo/duo acts across Saturday and Sunday, alongside the return of The Thunderbolt Pub Quiz.
THUNDERFEST invites you to come and enjoy some amazing grassroots music in the sun with your friends and family. All festival profits will be reinvested into supporting Bristol’s grassroots music scene.
We have a range of affordable tickets on offer for the whole weekend and individual days
Tickets are available now via:
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Bristol/The-Thunderbolt/Thunderfest/42457038/
Follow The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE for festival updates, lineup announcements and ticket information.
CHASING DOLLS
“A tribe made up of dreamers and sages, night crawlers and moshers, renegades and tearaways, people doing their own thing. It’s the quality of their live show what sets them apart. A whirlwind of energy and euphoria, audience engagement and a feeling of revolution and disquiet bubbling up from the depths” - Dave Franklin, The Ink.
https://www.instagram.com/chasingdolls/
GET MENDOZA
A three-piece coming straight out of Andover, Get Mendoza combine the best of indie rock and emo.Comprising of vocalist/guitarist Luke Stone, vocalist/drummer Joe Chapman, and bassist Toby Edds, the band takes heavy inspiration from scenes across the American Midwest, layering soft, harmonious bass lines against heavy, melancholic guitar and strong vocals.Fresh on the scene, the band is making their mark throughout venues across the south of England.
https://www.instagram.com/getmendoza.uk/
JOSHFACE
Joshface is a modern punk act; a physical representation of the ideal digital form, a sonic attack with disregard to the confines of genre. Music from a human being.
https://www.instagram.com/joshfaceuk/
TVDINNER
Garage Punk master chefs cooking up a blend of punk, fuzz, grunge and surf rock, served with a side of tongue in cheek lyrics and catchy hooks delivered in 30 minutes or less.
https://www.instagram.com/tvdinner.band/
The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are back this August with their most ambitious event to date, THUNDERFEST, a three-day family-friendly music festival celebrating Bristol’s independent music scene.
Taking place across the August Bank Holiday weekend, 28th - 30th August 2026, THUNDERFEST will feature 20 local bands and artists across two stages at The Thunderbolt.
Following the success of last year’s Garden Party, The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are collaborating once again to support Bristol’s independent music scene and showcase emerging local talent.
The Main Stage sits at the heart of The Thunderbolt, and will feature 12 bands across the festival. Friday dedicated to punk, Saturday focusing on blues and rock, and Sunday showcasing indie and alternative rock.
The Bandstand is tucked away in the venue's humble and sunny beer garden, and will host 8 acoustic solo/duo acts across Saturday and Sunday, alongside the return of The Thunderbolt Pub Quiz.
THUNDERFEST invites you to come and enjoy some amazing grassroots music in the sun with your friends and family. All festival profits will be reinvested into supporting Bristol’s grassroots music scene.
We have a range of affordable tickets on offer for the whole weekend and individual days
Tickets are available now via:
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Bristol/The-Thunderbolt/Thunderfest/42457038/
Follow The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE for festival updates, lineup announcements and ticket information.
PRIDDICE BROTHERS BAND
Played Glastonbury Festival 3 times including playing at The Rabbit Hole. Also performed at Ashton Gate, Thekla, Fleece, Louisiana, Godney Gathering and Home Farm Fest. Supported Beans On Toast, Nick Parker, Gaz Brookfield and King Eider.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2K8S5b9EBD9mv0MzCi6uV1?si=qptW18BfSceJNr7shOcZWw
VONJ
Vonj is a self taught musician born in Kenya & currently active in the UK, Song writing is his passion,
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ob08aFDARrLHDDzoc59hG?si=QI7mjeTWTh-uc4lWeV8TIQ
HAYDEN LLOYD
Hayden Lloyd, an award winning, vibrant guitarist and singer/songwriter hailing from Bath and now thriving in Birmingham, UK, crafts a captivating fusion of blues, rock, and funk with soulful nuances and diverse influences, culminating in his distinct captive sound. Fronting his dynamic trio, Hayden brings forth a revitalising blend of classic blues and soul, infused with a contemporary alternative rock edge, featuring the rhythmic prowess of Luke Ellis on drums and the solid bass grooves of Matilda Jones.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SYVblff7e3KNH8sspHoCN?si=hRilYA9mTEaBt0BL4nXuTg
SUNKATS
ELLY HOPKINS
Elly Hopkins is a Bristol-based alt-folk-rock artist blending southern rock, soul, folk and grunge into a gutsy, vintage-inspired sound. A former jazz vocalist turned songwriter, she brings courage, emotional depth and sharp lyricism to her debut EP 'Animal', recorded at Humm Studios. With commanding vocals and an honest, introspective style, Hopkins explores themes like jealousy, self-doubt and betrayal with raw authenticity. She has performed on major stages including the Royal Albert Hall, Glastonbury and BBC Radio, and now steps forward with her first original release—bold, soulful and defiantly her own.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4QU6qe6zuUXPAobMxl1KBi?si=c-QErr78TyKCzUSnlKRM1w
CADEN STOWE
Professional maker of sweet vibrations, folding up some noise…
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4CPOf0rmxluMrULqrXBxiP?si=0IOeWDhARv27cnvDsx1iUA
EVA PARFITT
Eva Parfitt is a Bristol-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Exeter, Devon. Her music features tender melodies and captivating chord progressions, pushing the borders of Folk in new directions.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Pz8HtcwtZvx0hwF45TYsP?si=UTQLyEC3RluVLuRdDOwTbA
ANGUS CROUCH
https://www.instagram.com/angus_crouch/
The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are back this August with their most ambitious event to date, THUNDERFEST, a three-day family-friendly music festival celebrating Bristol’s independent music scene.
Taking place across the August Bank Holiday weekend, 28th - 30th August 2026, THUNDERFEST will feature 20 local bands and artists across two stages at The Thunderbolt.
Following the success of last year’s Garden Party, The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are collaborating once again to support Bristol’s independent music scene and showcase emerging local talent.
The Main Stage sits at the heart of The Thunderbolt, and will feature 12 bands across the festival. Friday dedicated to punk, Saturday focusing on blues and rock, and Sunday showcasing indie and alternative rock.
The Bandstand is tucked away in the venue's humble and sunny beer garden, and will host 8 acoustic solo/duo acts across Saturday and Sunday, alongside the return of The Thunderbolt Pub Quiz.
THUNDERFEST invites you to come and enjoy some amazing grassroots music in the sun with your friends and family. All festival profits will be reinvested into supporting Bristol’s grassroots music scene.
We have a range of affordable tickets on offer for the whole weekend and individual days
Tickets are available now via
Follow The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE for festival updates, lineup announcements and ticket information.
NOTHING RHYMES WITH ORANGE
Nothing Rhymes With Orange are a Bristol-based Indie Rock band tearing up the scene with raw, chaotic energy and fiery performances. Producing clear cut originals ranging from heartfelt ballads such as latest single ‘Shearwater’ to festival anthems like ‘Stepping Up My Spine’, all championed by James Threlfall on BBC Introducing in the West.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2XUi76i3G5lN0fdK10LNfQ?si=RHlCBG-WReyQ5254Fld6MA
SOFTKICKS
https://www.instagram.com/soft_kicks.band/
3 DAYS OF WONDER
3 Days of Wonder are an award winning Devon based rock band, writing edgy, anthemic songs with an 80's vibe. They combine influences including Foo Fighters, The Police, U2, Big Country and Kings of Leon. Their lyrics have clear social commentary, which the band translate into confident, energetic and powerful live performances.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6TzpDmzZEulTUZESI2L21c?si=X3h4c9Q_QkePzQjM2Nvgew
LARA RXSE
With poetic lyrical flair, Lara Rxse takes you in a whirlwind of harmonies, and catchy (but intricate) melodies. Her music embodies that of a walk through nature, and she is well versed in writing from her own life experiences. Lara paints ballads bound to tug at your heart strings, and her band have helped her to reimagine and enhance her sound - taking influence from jazz & folk.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/15yZ5pDoaxsdL5dQTEMfAl?si=NCi0X_yDQD-9r0uwSevpbQ
KWILKYN
Risen from the valleys of Dartmoor, Kwilkyn is the result of an adventurous mind trapped in a homebody. Joseph Crosher (of the Mammoth) uses Kwilkyn as a tool to introspect what he would otherwise push down. With strong themes of nostalgia, loss and romance Kwilkyn explores his sense of place and self. Kwilkyn navigates the juxtaposition of feeling comfortable yet trapped and wraps it up in a package full of indie-folk with fragments of grunge tossed in.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VHuQipUhixvLnLStTVH0Q?si=dsVCY34TQDGeuOz9CaSDMQ
UNCLE EARTH
Indie/Alternative.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5J9e6EchWHVv8qbsfGOpps
JEANALITE
Cornish-born, edgy pop musician Jeanalite is releasing her harsh, yet true single 'Without You', based on the reality of how your negativity can impact someone's life. Described as being all at once rough and real, yet with a taste for a bitter-sweet hook Jeanalite is making her name known. The success of first release "It's Not Working" rose awareness of the destructive goverment and limited mental health support.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/19yhj1muq3EmfrcckITwYu?si=1RgY_y4_TKSdZZnZBes4nw
SOLOMON TOWERS
https://www.instagram.com/solomon_towers/
