ONLY THE POETS TO PLAY O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON FOR JUST £1 ON 2 FEBRUARY 2026 (LIVE MUSIC FOR EVERYONE)
Seven years after charging just £1 entry to their first ever gig, Reading alt-pop band Only The Poets are set to make history on Monday 2 February 2026, becoming the first band to headline London’s iconic O2 Academy Brixton for the same symbolic price.
The landmark show will follow the release of their hotly anticipated debut album, And I’d Do It Again (out 30th January 2026) - a bold, 14-track record filled with emotional storytelling, big hooks, and widescreen ambition. The title reflects their journey: from working manual jobs and playing DIY gigs to building a passionate fanbase across the UK and Europe - one show at a time.
For frontman Tommy Longhurst, bassist Andrew “Roo” Burge, guitarist Clem Cherry, and drummer Marcus Yates, the decision to keep tickets at £1 is deeply personal. As teenagers, live music offered them connection, escape, and support for their mental health - and they want to ensure others have the same opportunity.
“We charged £1 for our first ever gig — back then we only had a couple of songs, so anything more felt like too much for us,” Longhurst recalls. “We wouldn’t have been able to see half the gigs we went to if ticket prices were what they are now, so we wanted to make sure that this show was open to everyone.”
Cherry adds: “Our fans know our shows are a safe space. This is about making sure anybody can come and have an amazing night in an iconic venue. It’s also a thank you to everyone who’s supported us to this point.”
To extend their impact, the band is partnering with the LIVE Trust - the leading voice for the UK’s live music and entertainment sector - by donating an additional £1 per ticket to support grassroots venues, artists, and promoters across the country.
LIVE Trust CEO Jon Collins says, “This is a wonderful, positive move by Only the Poets, giving back to the grassroots while giving back to their fans. Making this show accessible to all means everyone can enjoy the associated mental health, communal and emotional benefits. Funds raised for the LIVE Trust will go directly to support artists, venues, promoters, festivals and more across the UK grassroots. A young band like Only the Poets stepping up while artists like Biffy Clyro and My Chemical Romance back the Trust at their arena and stadia shows is further evidence of the growing levels of support for the LIVE Trust across all parts of the live music scene.”
Tickets for the O2 Academy Brixton show are just £1, plus minimal fees (£1 venue restoration, £1 Ticketmaster fee, £1 LIVE Trust donation). Both Ticketmaster and the venue have lowered their standard rates in support of the initiative.
The gig promises to be more than just a performance - it’s a celebration of what live music represents: community, emotional connection, and inclusion.
The band’s debut album, And I’d Do It Again, was written and recorded over seven intense months following a long-term breakup. Blending shimmering '80s synth-pop with vulnerable, heartfelt lyrics, the album captures the emotional highs and lows of heartbreak, growth, and healing. Tracks like the euphoric “Emotionally Hungover,” slow-burning "Guess She’s Cool", the intimate “Madeline”, and the slinky new single “Saké” showcase the band’s evolving sound and fearless honesty.
From £1 club shows to headlining Brixton Academy - and still charging £1 - Only The Poets are redefining what it means to grow without leaving your audience behind.
Pre-sale on 10 September at 10am here.
General sale 12 September at 10am here.
