Reading alt-pop outfit Only The Poets are set to make history next year by headlining London’s iconic O2 Academy Brixton for just £1 a ticket. The landmark gig, taking place on Monday, 2nd February 2026, comes just days after the release of their long-awaited debut album, And I’d Do It Again, out 30th January 2026.

Seven years on from charging £1 entry to their first ever show, the four-piece—frontman Tommy Longhurst, bassist Andrew “Roo” Burge, guitarist Clem Cherry, and drummer Marcus Yates—are returning to the symbolic price point as a statement of accessibility and gratitude.

“We wouldn’t have been able to see half the gigs we went to if ticket prices were what they are now,” says Longhurst. “This is about giving people the same chance we had when we were younger. Live music should be for everyone.”

The band’s decision is also a nod to their roots: DIY beginnings, years of relentless touring, and a fanbase built from the ground up. Guitarist Clem 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.”

The initiative goes beyond low ticket prices. For every £1 ticket sold, an additional £1 will be donated to the LIVE Trust, the UK’s leading organisation protecting and supporting grassroots music venues. Venue restoration and booking fees have also been cut to the minimum, thanks to solidarity from both O2 Academy Brixton and Ticketmaster.

Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE Trust, called the move “a wonderful, positive step,” adding:

“Making this show accessible to all means everyone can enjoy the communal and emotional benefits of live music. A young band like Only The Poets stepping up while established artists support the Trust shows the strength of unity across the live scene.”

And I’d Do It Again captures the band’s journey in 14 tracks, blending shimmering 80s-inspired synths with emotionally charged storytelling. Written and recorded over seven intense months following a break-up, the record moves between euphoric anthems like Emotionally Hungover, aching ballads such as Madeline, and the slinky groove of new single Saké, released 3rd September.

Known for their confessional songwriting and electric stage presence, Only The Poets have grown from grassroots favourites into an international touring force. In 2025 alone, they sold over 25,000 tickets across Europe and made their US live debut with sold-out shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. London audiences have already seen them sell out Camden Barfly, KOKO, Electric Ballroom, and O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Now, with Brixton on the horizon, the band are ready to take their biggest step yet—without losing sight of their beginnings.

Presale opens Wednesday, 11th September at 10am, with general sale from Thursday, 12th September at 10am. Tickets are priced at £1 plus fees.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.