Seven years ago, Only The Poets played their first gig for £1. In 2026, they’re doing it again, this time, at London’s iconic O2 Academy Brixton. Let that sink in. A full-blown headline show, at one of the most legendary venues in the country, for less than the price of a Tesco meal deal.
This isn’t a glitch in the system. It’s a deliberate, defiant move from a band that’s always believed live music should be for everyone. And with their long-awaited debut album, And I’d Do It Again, landing just days before the show, this moment is more than a milestone, it’s a manifesto.
Gig Tickets for a Quid? You’re Not Dreaming
Mark your calendars: Monday, 2nd February 2026, is officially a big one. Only The Poets will become the first band in history to headline O2 Academy Brixton for £1 — a price point designed to strip away the barriers that stop people from experiencing live music.
And yes, it really is just £1 (plus £3 in fees — £1 each for venue restoration, Ticketmaster, and a donation to the LIVE Trust). Grab your pre-sale tickets here, which go live on the 10th September at 10am.
This move feels especially bold at a time when gig prices are soaring and festivals feel more out-of-reach than ever. But for OTP, frontman Tommy Longhurst, bassist Andy “Roo” Burge, guitarist Clem Cherry, and drummer Marcus Yates — this is personal.
“We wouldn’t have been able to see half the gigs we went to if ticket prices were what they are now,” Longhurst said. “So we wanted to make sure this show was open to everyone.”
The Bigger Picture: Artists Are Pushing Back
Only The Poets aren’t alone in this fight. More and more artists are starting to call out the madness of inflated ticket prices, and putting their money where their mouth is.
Just look at YUNGBLUD, who recently launched his own DIY-style festival, BludFest, as a direct response to rising costs that shut younger fans out of live music. His aim? Affordable tickets, inclusive lineups, and a community-first attitude. No overpriced wristbands or VIP-only vibes, just live music, stripped back to what it should be: accessible, exciting, and open to all.
Moves like this, from OTP’s £1 Brixton gig to BludFest, show a genuine shift happening across the scene. Fans are tired of being priced out. And artists are finally listening.
It’s a Celebration, but It’s Also a Statement
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Only The Poets’ debut album And I’d Do It Again drops 30th January 2026, just days before the Brixton gig. A 14-track emotional rollercoaster, it’s drenched in raw honesty, late-night vulnerability, and massive pop hooks, the kind that sound even better echoing off Brixton’s walls.
They’re not holding back. Songs like Emotionally Hungover, Guess She’s Cool, and new single Saké (dropping 5th September) offer a window into the chaos and clarity that follows heartbreak. There’s storytelling. There’s synth. There’s feeling. Think The 1975’s shimmer meets Sam Fender’s soul.
But even beyond the music, the show is a huge thank-you to fans. From busking days to sold-out tours across Europe and the US (25,000 tickets in 2025 alone), OTP have built their community from the ground up. And now, they’re giving back, not just with a gig, but with a message.
Supporting the LIVE Trust — Because Music Should Be a Right, Not a Luxury
An extra £1 from every ticket will go to LIVE Trust, the UK’s voice for live music and entertainment. This isn’t just a name-drop charity collab, the band are using their platform to fuel a wider movement.
LIVE Trust CEO Jon Collins put it best:
“Making this show accessible to all means everyone can enjoy the associated mental health, communal and emotional benefits… this is further evidence of the growing levels of support for the LIVE Trust across all parts of the live music scene.”
And it’s not just small venues or rising acts backing this. With heavyweights like My Chemical Romance and Biffy Clyro supporting the Trust at their arena shows, it’s clear: the industry is paying attention.
Not Just Another Indie Band
Only The Poets aren’t just ticking boxes. From championing mental health conversations to fighting for grassroots venues, they’ve always worn their values on their sleeves.
Their gigs are known for being inclusive, emotional, and completely electric, a safe space where screaming your heart out is practically mandatory.
And now, by making Brixton £1, they’re setting a new standard. They’re proving that accessibility isn’t just a buzzword, it’s something that can be built into the business of music.
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