Only The Poets Announce £1 O2 Academy Brixton Show
Seven years after charging just £1 for entry to their first ever gig, Reading four-piece Only The Poets will make history on Monday, 2 February 2026, becoming the first band ever to headline London’s legendary O2 Academy Brixton for the same symbolic price.
The landmark show comes just days after the release of their long-awaited debut album, And I’d Do It Again (out 30 January 2026). The 14-track record is a bold alt-pop statement, brimming with soaring hooks, widescreen ambition, and raw honesty. Its title nods to the band’s seven-year journey – from DIY beginnings and manual labour jobs to hundreds of shows across the UK and Europe – steadily building a devoted fanbase.
For frontman Tommy Longhurst, bassist Andrew “Roo” Burge, guitarist Clem Cherry, and drummer Marcus Yates, the £1 ticket price is both symbolic and deeply personal. “We charged £1 for our first ever gig – back then we only had a couple of songs, so anything more felt like too much,” Longhurst said. “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 this show was open to everyone.”
Cherry added: “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.”
The initiative also supports the LIVE Trust, the voice of the UK’s live music and entertainment sector. For every ticket sold, an additional £1 donation will go directly to the charity, helping to protect grassroots venues and ensure access to live music for all.
LIVE Trust CEO Jon Collins praised the move: “This is a wonderful, positive gesture 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 will directly support artists, venues, promoters, and festivals across the UK.”
All tickets are priced at £1, plus fees: £1 venue restoration, £1 Ticketmaster fee, and a £1 LIVE Trust donation. Both the O2 Academy Brixton and Ticketmaster have lowered their usual rates in support of the band’s commitment to accessibility.
Coinciding with the release of And I’d Do It Again, the Brixton show is set to be both a celebration and a statement: live music should be for everyone. Written and recorded over seven months following a long-term breakup, the album blends shimmering ’80s synths with vivid, emotionally charged storytelling. From the euphoric rush of Emotionally Hungover to the melancholic Guess She’s Cool, the aching intimacy of Madeline, and the slinky new single Saké, the record captures heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery with fearless honesty.
PRESALE: 11 September at 10am HERE
GENERAL ONSALE: 12 September at 10am HERE
