Only The Poets - 01/05/26

The alt-pop group made headlines with their album release campaign earlier this year, becoming the first band to sell out the Brixton Academy with £1 tickets, and running a competition for an unsigned artist to win their support slot. Only The Poets also offered an allocation of ‘low income tickets’ across their tour… it’s difficult not to root for a band so proactive in keeping live music accessible.

In our January review of ‘And I’d Do It Again’, TOPNOTE praised the band’s knack for catchy riffs and unforgettable choruses, often at the expense of more considered lyrics. The album found its place in the Official UK Top 10, though, and these two shows on Friday hosted by Banquet Records marked the end of an era. 

Opening solo artist Tommy Lyon and his keyboardist performed a gentle cover of Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’ for those thinking of her O2 show happening across the river. But plenty of the crowd were hooked on his chilled-out set, with many singing his own unreleased songs back to him, offering an extended round of applause at the end of his set so long it brought the singer to tears.

Back in the UK after a two-week run across Europe, frontman Tommy Longhurst asks his predominantly young female audience for a ‘beautiful energy’, and receives it. The room was wholesome and warm (in many ways), and a pleasure to be present for. Despite the heat, the band put in a solid shift, ensuring their audience was comfortable and watered whenever possible, while dousing themselves in towels and continuing to perform with impressive levels of energy. 

Their live image much less ‘boyband’ than studio versions might have an unfamiliar listener imagine, ‘Bad’ best showcased a genuine edge to their sound that the four-piece could easily delve deeper into. On the flip side, they don’t seem too phased by elements of ‘cringe’. There was a lot of acting out lyrics, a lot of jumping on cue, and a lot of pointing… to a sea of colourful hair that blended into a confetti cannon for the final chorus of final track, ‘Emotional’ – from the band’s first release of ‘demos.’ dating back to 2021. 

The atmosphere of the evening was celebratory for the band and the crowd invited into their final victory lap, with Longhurst commenting on familiar faces, and reinstating the premise of the album. ‘We really would do it all again’ he says, referencing OTP’s career to date, friendship and relationship journeys, and the personal significance of their tour and fan support. With tears in his eyes, the house lights flashed up, and the band took in their equally emotional audience, cheering them through to the end.

Some songs passed less noticeably than others… rarely long enough for a strong opinion to form before it’s onto the next. Friday night probably wouldn’t have converted many new or neutral listeners into fans. But for the majority of the audience; many of whom have clearly been returning for years, it was akin to the first fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Fans will have felt lucky to have shared such a poignant show with a band that clearly spread joy wherever they go – and promise to be back.