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@weneedbands

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Running independent live music events across the South West and Wales. Home of @underdogbristol and @wildcardcomp. Tickets via:

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The second half of the @underdogbristol 2027 application process is now LIVE.

Want to join us for one final series? Hit our Linktree for all the info

#UnderdogBristol by @weneedbands

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12 days ago

ONE LAST TIME.

#UnderdogBristol by @weneedbands

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13 days ago

🔥 BRISTOL’S BIGGEST BATTLE OF THE BANDS IS BACK! 🔥

The Underdog returns in 2027, and applications are NOW OPEN.

Hundreds of musicians. Some of Bristol’s biggest stages. One game-changing prize package, including:

💰 £1,000 cash
🚐 A bespoke mini tour
🎙️ Professional studio time
👕 Band merchandise
📸 Promotional photo shoot

All genres. All ages. New bands and seasoned live acts welcome.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply now (link in bio)

THE STAGE IS YOURS. 🔥 by @weneedbands

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a month ago

It’s almost application month... 👀

September marks the start of our 2027 @underdogbristol campaign, and whilst we’re getting everything ready for a fresh set of competitors, we’re also quietly making plans for the bigger shows.

If you’ve competed in The Underdog before and fancy coming back for one of our four coveted headline spots, we want to hear from you! Drop us a message and put yourself forward. 🔥

Want to compete in 2027? Applications officially open in September, but you can get in early via the link in our bio.

#UnderdogBristol by @weneedbands

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a month ago

We hit a milestone over the weekend 🎉

50+ bands have now applied for Year 2 of the @wildcardcomp series in Exeter! 🔥

Not applied yet? There’s still time to get involved - hit the link in our bio and sign your band up now. 👆

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#WildcardExeter | @weneedbands | @obvious_events | @soundgallerystudios by @weneedbands

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a month ago

The second application stage of the 2026 @wildcardcomp series is now LIVE! 🔥

Want to join us at @exeterphoenix this November and compete for our stacked prize package - including studio time, magazine coverage and a guest headline spot at @theklabris?

If you've already applied, it's time to let us know which dates you can do!

Check your inbox and complete stage two now. 👆

Not applied yet? There's still time - hit the link in our bio.

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#WildcardExeter | @weneedbands | @obvious_events | @soundgallerystudios by @weneedbands

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2 months ago

✅ Underdog 2026 = complete.

Applications for 2027 are now LIVE.

📝 Link in bio

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🎥 @bhxnt
🔉 @snakeinthefootspa

#UnderdogBristol | @underdogbristol by @weneedbands

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4 months ago

The dust has only just settled from our Bristol competition, but we’re delighted to announce that @wildcardcomp is returning to Exeter for 2026! 🎉

After an incredible debut series in 2025, we’re once again teaming up with @obvious_events 🤝 - and this year we're expanding the competition to 20 acts!

⭐️ NEW GRAND FINAL VENUE ⭐️
After comfortably selling out @bombaexeter, we’re moving the Grand Final to the prestigious @exeterphoenix 🔥

🎁 UPDATED PRIZE PACKAGE 🎁
The 2026 winner will receive:

🎸 Guest headline show at @theklabris + hometown headline show
🎙️ Single recording package with @soundgallerystudios
📸 Professional press shoot with @annaleaderphoto
📰 Interview feature with @soundmagazineuk

🚨 Applications are now open! 🚨
Hit the link in our bio to apply.

Who will be Exeter's next Wildcard champion? 👀🏆

#wildcardexeter by @weneedbands

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4 months ago

⭐️ Where to begin?

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at @o2academybris on Friday for the culmination of the 2026 @underdogbristol series.

With eight local bands on the bill, we fully took over the room, and the atmosphere was electric. It was our fifth show on the main stage and the biggest crowd we've ever welcomed to an Underdog event. A truly memorable experience.

A massive congratulations to our 2026 champions, @snakeinthefootspa. The wheels are already in motion for the delivery of the prize package, and we can't wait to see what the next six months have in store for the band.

Every act on the bill proved they deserved their place on that stage. While only one of the six finalists could emerge victorious, we'd love you to show some support to the rest of the line-up:

@akirapaterson + @weareyouralibi + @balloon_tomb + @openreturnband + @seblonghorn + @disconap.band + @pitfeeders

Thanks, as always, to the team at O2 - Josh, Robyn, Andy, Mickey, Tom, and everyone else who helped behind the scenes, both in advance and on the day. Keeping an event of this scale running smoothly is no small feat, and the in-house team did an incredible job.

A huge thank you as well to Scot, Sarah, and Frazer for judging; Ben, Chris, and Connor on the media team; and Saul, Harry, Yuri, and Frazer (again!) for helping run the event. So much time, energy, and passion went into making the show what it was.

⭐️ What's next?

We'll be taking a short break to recover from a very busy few months, but before that, we've got a few announcements dropping over the coming days as we reveal our plans for the rest of 2026.

Watch. This. Space.

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📸 Photos: @connorstandfieldphotography

#UnderdogBristol | #RoadToO2 | @underdogbristol | @newcutstudios

👀🌊 by @weneedbands

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4 months ago

Longer words will come (after many more hours of sleep)... but until then...

Your 2026 @underdogbristol champions are 🥁🥁🥁

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@snakeinthefootspa
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Friday 5th June
@o2academybris

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#UnderdogBristol | #RoadToO2 | @underdogbristol | @newcutstudios by @weneedbands

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4 months ago

JUST ANNOUNCED

We've added the warm-up act for our biggest show of the year: @pitfeeders join the line-up at the @underdogbristol Grand Final at @o2academybris next month!

🎟 Tickets available via Ticketmaster (link in bio)

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⭐️ Grand Final · Friday 5th June · @o2academybris
@akirapaterson + @weareyouralibi + @balloon_tomb + @openreturnband + @snakeinthefootspa + @seblonghorn + @disconap.band (guest headliners) + @pitfeeders (warm-up act)

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#UnderdogBristol | #RoadToO2 | @underdogbristol | @newcutstudios by @weneedbands

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4 months ago

Twenty one local bands. Three shows. One Boat.
@theklabris

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🎥 @reygatemedia
🎵 @circleofcrowsuk

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#UnderdogBristol | #RoadToO2 | @underdogbristol | @newcutstudios by @weneedbands

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5 months ago