WE NEED BANDS Present:THE UNDERDOG 2026
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THE UNDERDOG 2026 · HEAT G (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.
✪ DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
Grunge · Shoegaze · Punk
https://www.instagram.com/deadly_nightshadee_
FOR FANS OF: Nirvana, Hum, My Bloody Valentine
✪ LOAB
Indie · Grunge · Post-Rock
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/SLZfmeGgQXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/tnNQHMkPO3A
FOR FANS OF: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro, Queens of the Stone Age
✪ OPEN RETURN
Indie Rock
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5qRoEw6TnbGBFhlu8xBJn4
WATCH: https://youtu.be/_RSedjws61Y
FOR FANS OF: Foo Fighters, Foals, Bad Nerves
✪ SOPHIE & THE STICKS
Alt-Pop
https://linktr.ee/sophieandthesticks
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/rkLmZWjSVXb
WATCH: https://youtu.be/yGQpRX9kkzE
FOR FANS OF: CMAT, Lily Allen, Lola Young
✪ THE RADIO MAKERS
Glam · Indie Rock
https://linktr.ee/theradiomakers
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2qVf8hgkUX5Im0wqueMi5r
WATCH: https://youtu.be/B9ApNie8nsQ
FOR FANS OF: Duran Duran, INXS, Blondie
✪ VACANT SHORES
Electronic · Indie · Pop
https://linktr.ee/vacantshores
LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/vacantshores/flat-circle/
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUn0_w7VjNw
FOR FANS OF: Moderat, Portishead, Chvrches
The INFO:
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WHERE? ⇾ The Thunderbolt
124 Bath Rd, Bristol, BS4 3ED
WHEN? ⇾ Friday 30th January
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).
Artist WAITLIST:
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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:
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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
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.
https://www.fatsoma.com/e/erbn0t19/the-underdog-2026-heat-g-indie-rock