The Underdog 2026 | Semi Final A @ Thekla
Schedule
Sun Mar 29 2026 at 05:30 pm to 10:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Thekla | Bristol, EN
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⚠️ 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 A
🔥 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.
✪ A STRANGE ALLIANCEIndie · Alt Rock
https://linktr.ee/astrangealliance
WATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Oasis, Inhaler, Catfish and The Bottlemen
✪ EVANGELINEIndie Funk
https://www.evangeline-music.com/
LISTEN: :
FOR FANS OF: Arlo Parks, Hayley Williams, Talking Heads
✪ EJECTOR SEATRock
https://linktr.ee/Ejector_Seat
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/44WFDxfEV0QaDZAcHCJI0xWATCH: https://youtube.com/shorts/SQUTyUCNqFw
FOR FANS OF: The Stone Roses, The Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis
✪ OPEN RETURNIndie Rock
https://linktr.ee/open.return
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/5qRoEw6TnbGBFhlu8xBJn4WATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Foo Fighters, Foals, Bad Nerves
✪ ROSARY DRIVEIndie Rock
?si=wS-XA1FvJTKeSWd0
https://linktr.ee/RosaryDriveMusic
LISTEN: https://spotify.link/PgvtH8lxOXbWATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Catfish and The Bottlemen, Wunderhorse, Sam Fender
✪ SEB LONGHORNFolk Rock
https://linktr.ee/seblonghorn
LISTEN::
FOR FANS OF: Paul Simon, Belle and Sebastian, Frank Turner
Plus GUEST HEADLINERS:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
✪ BLACKLISTAlt Rock
https://linktr.ee/blacklistukband
LISTEN: https://open.spotify.com/track/6PAxTOpnDcbFyFK1eSxMUeWATCH:
FOR FANS OF: Death From Above, Royal Blood, Muse
The INFO:▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔WHERE? ⇾ Theklawww.TheklaBristol.co.ukThe Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB
WHEN? ⇾ Sunday 29th March
WHAT TIME? ⇾ 6:30pm-11:00pm
HOW MUCH? ⇾Artist Pre-Sales (5X Votes): SOLD OUT!Early Bird (3X Votes): SOLD OUT!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
Disclaimer:
The event listed here is purely for informational purposes. All the details such as venue, date/time, artist information, etc., are subject to change.
This event is not associated with or sponsored by AllEvents, but it may be of interest to you. You can explore more such events with us at AllEvents.
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Where is it happening?
Thekla, Thekla, Bristol, EN, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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