⚠️ 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:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔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:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
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.
✪ ALIBIAlt Rock
https://linktr.ee/weareyouralibi.band
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/YEbg6ogPOXbWATCH: https://youtu.be/xA5LokSWCUw
FOR FANS OF: Soundgarden, Mammoth, Halestorm
✪ BALLOON TOMBParty Punk
www.instagram.com/balloon_tomb/
WATCH: https://youtu.be/ndp_DEFbhbI
FOR FANS OF: Rage Against the Machine, Idles, Limp Bizkit
✪ DREDGENoise · Punk · Sludge
https://www.dredgetheband.com/
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/2uQFUzUxYVXveO2FF9cpRXWATCH: https://youtu.be/HY65zMXaneM
FOR FANS OF: Melvins, ’68, Empire State Bastard
✪ INSIGNIARock · Metal
https://linktr.ee/Insignia_band
LISTEN: https://youtu.be/5SDcsWrEGP4WATCH: https://youtu.be/IiDkW4ANP7w
FOR FANS OF: Deftones, Royal Blood, Bring Me The Horizon
✪ OSCAR AND THE KARMAMelodic Hardcore · Emo
https://linktr.ee/OscarandtheKarma
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/album/67n2OBGDstSIij0Mx5vP1wWATCH: https://youtu.be/HTYwOXMPGuk
FOR FANS OF: Deftones, La Dispute, Modern Colour
✪ WORLD//ERRORMetal Fusion
https://www.instagram.com/worlderrorband/
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/G8UcPquKPXbWATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUHpBazvHYc
FOR FANS OF: Northlane, Silent Planet, Make Them Suffer
Plus GUEST HEADLINERS:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
✪ PARLAYPirate-Themed Metal
https://linktr.ee/parlayuk_
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5QgzZDEc19IygNHU7bjBTKWATCH: https://youtu.be/OrslCdC5ZM8
FOR FANS OF: Gatecreeper, Bolt Thrower, Crowbar
The INFO:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔WHERE? ⇾ Theklawww.TheklaBristol.co.ukThe 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:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔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/UnderdogBristolwww.facebook.com/UnderdogBristol
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