From the moment the doors opened at Bristol’s O2 Academy on Saturday night, the atmosphere buzzed with the promise of something special. Fans lined the street outside, an army of grassroots music lovers eager to witness what has become one of the South West’s most exciting fixtures on the live music calendar.
Now celebrating a decade in motion, the Underdog Battle of the Bands has evolved from an ambitious local contest into a proving ground for the region’s most dynamic emerging acts. Since its inception in 2015, Underdog has positioned itself as an antidote to the corporate gloss of larger national competitions—favouring authenticity, regional diversity, and a genuine commitment to artist development. This year’s prize haul was a testament to that mission: £1,000 in cash, a mini tour of the South West and Wales, studio time at Orchard Studios, a professional photo shoot, a PR campaign with Headstrong, and merchandise support from Pins & Knuckles. Not just a trophy, but a launchpad.
Six bands reached the grand final—each earning their spot through blistering heats and semi-finals—and were granted 20-minute sets to stake their claim under the Academy’s lights. Bookending the evening were two Bristol favourites: genre-fusing newcomers Kodachrome, and 2017 Underdog champions Liquid State, whose reputation for thunderous, high-octane sets remains untouchable.
Kodachrome opened the night with a kaleidoscopic fusion of indie, prog, funk, metal, and soul—a set full of theatricality, polish, and narrative flair. Their stage presence suggested a band far beyond their years, and their attention to visual storytelling could well see them return to this stage as future finalists.
But the competition began in earnest with Cober Mouth, a nu-metalcore onslaught of raw emotion and muscular riffs. Drawing sonic parallels with Architects, Knocked Loose, and Slipknot, their ferocious energy and genre-blending aggression immediately marked them as serious contenders. There was no easing into the night—Cober Mouth brought the pit to life from the first bar.
Sorry Park followed, and with them, came colour. Literally. As inflatable lightsabers rained down on the crowd and circle pits erupted, the pop-punk quartet channelled the polished energy of early 2000s staples like Blink-182 and Sum 41. Their set was punchy, infectious, and rich in hooks—backed by a loyal crowd wearing their merch like a badge of honour. If Cober Mouth brought the grit, Sorry Park brought the party.
Two acts in, and Underdog 2025 had already laid out its musical smorgasbord. Next came Hole Tripper, a Bristol/Exeter outfit steeped in the sludgy warmth of ’90s alt-rock. With echoes of Pearl Jam, Bush, and Audioslave, their set was raw and riff-heavy, balancing melodic grunge with no-frills authenticity. For fans of classic alt, this was a highlight—and for Gen X’ers, a welcome throwback.
Then came Hoaster, a Weston-super-Mare trio whose sound defied categorisation. Fusing pop rock, power pop, indie, Britpop, and even hints of ’60s psych and ’70s prog, their set was confident, ambitious, and filled with strong songwriting. Their refusal to be boxed in made them one of the evening’s most intriguing curveballs.
Anticipation reached a peak as Bloomtide took the stage. A name that had been circulating for months among local music heads, the self-produced, fiercely DIY quartet delivered in full. Their sound was lush, atmospheric, and emotionally charged—a cinematic blend of alt-rock and ambient pop. Every detail, from arrangement to stagecraft, was razor-sharp. Bloomtide didn’t just play—they elevated. It was a performance that shifted the room and arguably set the night’s benchmark.
Rounding out the Class of 2025 were Circle of Crows—or COC, as the sea of “I ❤️ COC” flags in the crowd proudly proclaimed. Hailing from Cornwall, the power trio brought a sound that was lean, loud, and loaded with intent. Think Soundgarden meets Alter Bridge via a hint of Alice in Chains. Their performance was commanding, tight, and charismatic, with each member holding their own spotlight. There was a controlled chaos to it all, a sense of danger that made them impossible to look away from.
As the crowd filtered out to cast their votes, it was clear this year’s competition had set a new standard. You’d struggle to separate the top three with anything more than a coin toss.
While the tallying began, 2017 champions Liquid State returned to remind everyone why they’d once taken the crown. Explosive, unrelenting, and brimming with presence, their cocktail of grunge, punk, alt-metal, and post-hardcore tore through the O2 like a wrecking ball. Recently reunited after a short hiatus, the quartet played like they’d never left—the mark of a special band.
Then, the announcement.
“The winner of Underdog 2025 is… Circle of Crows!”
The reaction was immediate. Flags were hoisted, screams echoed, and the band stood stunned, humbled, and visibly moved. In a field this tight, their triumph was a testament not just to their talent, but to their sheer magnetism.
In truth, every finalist left a mark. And that’s what makes Underdog such a vital fixture on the calendar. It’s more than a competition—it’s a celebration of the region’s musical heartbeat.
To all six bands: bravo. To the team at We Need Bands, the sponsors, and every soul who poured their heart into making this happen—thank you. Here’s to another decade of discovery.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
