Only The Poets: O2 Academy Brixton - 2nd February 2026

In an era where shows often feel like a luxury reserved for the few, Only The Poets just proved that the future of live music belongs to those who keep the door wide open. Their sold-out show at the O2 Academy Brixton wasn't just a concert; it was a manifesto for accessibility, priced at a symbolic £1, the same price they charged for their first-ever gig seven years ago.

The band’s commitment to the "old school" way of doing things didn’t stop at the box office. Rejecting traditional industry support slots, they gave the power to the people, letting fans vote on the openers at a "Battle of the Bands" event in Reading just days prior. The result was two incredible unsigned acts, Seren and Belle Dame, sharing the stage of one of the UK’s most iconic venues.

Adding to the communal spirit, they partnered with Nikon to give over ten aspiring photographers, many of whom had never shot a live show before, exclusive access to the pit. It felt less like a hierarchy and more like a community moving upward together.

Photo by Inês Barny

The tone was set instantly, as the opening chords of "I Keep On Messing It Up" rang out, a blast of confetti filled the air, signaling that despite the budget ticket price, this was a high-production, high-energy celebration. Usually, new material results in a dip in energy, but Brixton was a sea of movement from the jump. The band knew every beat of the new tracks, and the fans, already screaming every lyric back, clearly did too.

Photo by Inês Barny

The setlist was a perfect arc of emotion and adrenaline, but the atmosphere hit a fever pitch during the encore. Before the drop in "JUMP!",Tommy Longhurst, lead singer of the band managed the impossible: he got every single person in the 5,000+ capacity room, from the front row to the very back of the pit to crouch down on the floor. When the beat finally kicked in, the entire building literally shook as everyone erupted at once. The energy was electric, a pure release of joy that you rarely see at this scale nowadays.

Photo by Inês Barny

Right now, the band is in the middle of a relentless sprint to keep the album in the UK Top 10 (it’s currently sitting at Number 10). They are doing it the hard way. Record store signings, multiple gigs, and connecting with fans face-to-face every single day. If this Brixton show was anything to go by, Only The Poets aren't just a band on the rise. They are a band with a soul, proving that you can reach the top without leaving anyone behind.

Photo by Inês Barny

Article & Photography by Inês Barny