Reading four-piece Only The Poets are transforming their historic £1 headline show at the O2 Academy Brixton into a major victory for the UK’s grassroots music scene. Following the announcement that they would become the first band ever to headline the iconic London venue for just £1 a ticket—a show that sold out in mere minutes—the band has now launched a nationwide search for an unsigned artist to join them as the primary support act.
Protecting the Next Generation
The initiative is a response to the alarming rate of grassroots venue closures and the shrinking opportunities for emerging talent. For Only The Poets, the mission is personal. Having spent seven years rising from DIY gigs to sold-out tours, the band credits small venues for their survival.
“Without grassroots venues we won’t have the next big bands,” says frontman Tommy Longhurst. “Growing up playing in local venues gave us our first chance... supporting other artists down the line changed everything for us, so we wanted to bring the two together.”
The Road to Brixton
The selection process will culminate in a unique "live final" at The Purple Turtle in Reading—the venue where the band first cut their teeth. On January 31st, five shortlisted acts will perform during an all-day celebration marking the release of the band’s debut album, And I’d Do It Again. In a true grassroots fashion, the winner will be chosen by the fans in the room that night.
Crucially, Only The Poets are paying a fee directly to all five shortlisted acts, ensuring that the opportunity is financially accessible for the artists involved. The winner will then take the stage at the O2 Academy Brixton on Monday, February 2nd, performing to a capacity crowd of 5,000 people.
A Statement of Intent
The Brixton show also serves as a fundraiser for The LIVE Trust, with an additional £1 from every ticket donated to protect live music access across the UK. As the band prepares to release their 14-track alt-pop debut on January 30th, this initiative stands as a powerful reminder that live music should remain inclusive, affordable, and, above all, a community experience.
