Only The Poets

£1 doesn’t really get you too far these days. You may be able to get a bar of Dairy Milk (if you’re lucky), or a bottle of water. However, £1 happens to get you a ticket to Only the Poets’ biggest ever headline show. In a world where the cost of living crisis is dominating the headlines (and negatively dominating people’s wallets), it’s becoming more and more difficult for people to afford the things they love the most. This is where the Reading-based group steps in. In order to celebrate the release of their debut album, “And I’d Do it Again”, they have paid homage to their first ever shows as a band where you only had to pay a quid for a ticket, and brought that to one of the most revered venues in the capital. With some of the biggest artists in the world (such as Harry Styles) recently making the news for charging extortionate ticket prices, it’s a reminder that live music is a community, not a luxury. It’s the art of bringing thousands together for a night they will never forget - a night where they can disconnect from reality and get lost in the music - and tonight proved that Only the Poets are masters at delivering everything you could ever want from a live show in 2026.

The band’s kindness and thoughtfulness for grassroots music and those starting out extended as far out as holding a ‘battle of the bands’ competition to decide who would open tonight’s show. Following hundreds of entries and a competitive final in Reading the weekend prior, two were selected to grace the O2 Academy Brixton stage. The first opener of the night, Belle Dame, provided a fresh yet well-refined indie sound, whether it’s the catchy choruses on tracks like ‘Tennessee’ or the melodic guitar riffs that help create the perfect soundtrack to any evening. With the charisma and charm that the group provide, especially thanks to their front man, it’s no surprise that they stormed through to be one of the winners of what was a highly competitive battle. The second opener, Seren, leaned more into a more soulful sound, but thankfully still received the rapturous reception she deserved. While her stunning vocals are what immediately capture the audience (including me!), the dreamy yet captivating instrumentals backing it help add another layer to create blissful magic. Both acts are deserving winners, and it’s clear they’ve deserved what is a life-changing moment for any up-and-coming artist.

Last but certainly not least, the headliner of the night stepped up, and the second the confetti cannon went off during the opening track ‘I Keep on Messing It Up’, there was no doubt in my mind this wasn’t just any Brixton Academy show. From the get go, the unanimous connection between the band and the audience delivered some truly excellent results. ‘God Knows Where You Were’ showed just how fantastic frontman Tommy Longhurst’s vocals are, many steps above what already is a great studio voice. As they continued through some of the tracks on their debut album, you get the impression that the band were born for moments like this. Whether they had any or not, there wasn’t an ounce of nerve on display, and instead a swagger and exuberant confidence that mimics many of the finest artists to have played this same stage. This flair extends beyond Tommy, and each member of the band gets their moment in the sunshine. ‘Bad’ was perhaps one of the best exhibits of the band itself, with drummer Marcus Yates’ tight pocket and guitarist Clem Cherry’s craftsmanship being completed by Andy “Roo” Burge on the bass acting as the final piece of the puzzle.

As much as a band carries most of the weight during a live show, the fans will always be an unofficial member, and a show of this stature proved no different. The single from their debut album ‘Monumental’ had only been out for 3 days, yet it felt like every person in the room knew every word to this song and every other song that made up the setlist. The 5000 attendees carried a joyous energy that filtered back through to the music on stage, bringing all these elements together. Whether it was the screams of the title during the chorus of ‘SAY!’, or the sea of torches that graced the sky during ‘Madeline’, the crowd knew what to do at every moment. Only the Poets do a stellar job of managing the vibe depending on the song too. ‘Thinking About Your Ex’ serves as a breather after some of the hard-hitting tracks beforehand, with its more reggae inspired vibe proving to be a lovely laid back change, elevated even higher by Tommy Longhurst’s flawless falsettos. And when it was time to get going again, Tommy had one simple question to ask the audience: “Are you ready to up the fucking tempo?!?!” - up the fucking tempo he did. ‘Crash’ is their heaviest track to date, with flashing lights, distorted guitars and cymbals galore. 

What followed next was my personal favourite song of the night, ‘Saké’. It’s a song that has so much that people would hate it for: being generic, stereotypical and sounding like commercial radio filler. But that’s what makes it so good. Its irresistible catchiness in the chorus, amplified by Andy’s bass and Tommy’s line delivery, makes this a song you wouldn’t mind being overplayed to death on the radio, because it deserves to be heard. After the band received a thoroughly deserved standing ovation from everyone in the room, they dived into ‘Gone By Now’, which was the loudest the crowd were all night during the bridge, swaying arms side by side in unison. It was at this song where everything really hit me. These are moments that cannot, and should not, be denied for humans, just because it’s unaffordable. Without gigs at reasonable prices and easy accessibility for fans, we don’t get bands like Only The Poets to continue this cycle and make live music available to everyone. As we arrive at the encore, ‘JUMP!’ immediately drenched everyone in confetti once again, as if the first time wasn’t enough. The last song of the show, ‘emotional’, perfectly encapsulated the night itself. It’s one that the band certainly won’t want to forget in a hurry; who would want to forget playing the biggest venue of your career the week after your debut album?! However, Tommy made it clear in his speech that this was only just the beginning and that the group would keep going and make many more albums in a hopefully long and illustrious future. Well you can count me in if that’s the case, because like me, they will have gained a plethora of fans for life tonight.