Only The Poets are looking for a support band to join them at their forthcoming £1 concert at London’s O2 Academy Brixton in February.
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The Reading four-piece will play the venue on February 2, 2026, just days after the release of their debut album ‘And I’d Do It Again’ on January 30 – pre-order/pre-save it here. Any remaining tickets are available here.
The band will charge fans the same price that they charged for their first ever gig seven years ago, in an effort to make the show as accessible as possible.
As part of a collaboration with LIVE Trust, the initiative representing the UK’s live music and entertainment sector, a further £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to help protect grassroots live music in the UK.
The band are now also looking for an unsigned band/artist to support them at the show, they can submit their details and a song here.
Five acts will be then be shortlisted by Only The Poets to perform live at The Purple Turtle in Reading on January 30 – as part of a special all-day celebration marking the release of the band’s debut album, complete with signings and fan events.
Fans will select one final winner on the night to perform at the Brixton show and all five acts will be paid a fee directly by the band.
“Without grassroots venues we won’t have the next big bands, and without bands & fans going to grassroots venues, they can’t keep the doors open,” Only The Poets said.
“Growing up playing in local venues gave us our first chance to get on stage and perform to people, and supporting other artists down the line changed everything for us, so we wanted to bring the two together.
“We’re excited to support our favourite grassroots venue (The Purple Turtle) and invite five new artists to play to a packed-out room, showcasing the amazing new talent that’s out there.”
A £1 ticket levy campaign was launched by the Music Venue Trust in reaction to the news that 2023 had proved to be “disastrous” and the worst year on record with 125 grassroots music venues shutting their doors – a rate of two per week. The policy involves £1 from every ticket sold at an arena show or larger being put back into small venues.
