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/
