Only The Poets are creating the boyband staples and pop classics of the next generation. The principles and values driving their music make them and their smooth, timelessly modern sound stand out from the ever-increasing sea of aspiring pop-stars. Their ‘Going Back To Where It Began’ tour prioritised free entry or affordable tickets to shows in grassroots venues, and I had the pleasure of reviewing them on their final tour date at The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham.
Veterans of The Sunflower Lounge, Only The Poets professed their love for ‘this little sweatbox’, returning to the venue for the first time since 2019. They clearly weren’t exaggerating – such fans of The Sunny they had to play it twice, selling out 2 shows last night alone. Their pre-show playlist comprising of the biggest names of the modern cultural zeitgeist made their aspirations for their career evident, and if the queue outside The Sunny for 4 hours prior to doors open was anything to go by, I’d say they’re well on their way.
The strength of the artist-fan relationship made itself immediately known, their cinematic, rumbling intro all but drowned out by the cheering and whooping of their fans while walking to the stage. Only The Poets had somehow crammed their arena performance of 5 years in the future into the walls of The Sunflower Lounge for an intimate preview of a future pop sensation.
Playing 11 shows and releasing newest single ‘Sake’ from their upcoming debut album, it’s been a busy week for Only The Poets and they show no signs of slowing down. The confidence-oozing, club vibe of ‘Sake’ gives it instant movement and energy, using the same devices as dancing-anthems like Jason Derulo’s ‘Take You Dancing’ and Omar Rudberg’s ‘Mi Casa Tu Casa’. Clearly, this was an instant hit with fans, who already knew all the words.
Their debut album is set to drop on the 30th January 2026. Singer Tommy Longhurst, said that the ‘undertone’ of the album is one of ‘self-reflection’, ‘learning from mistakes’ and introspection, and that those themes were driving them to return to the venues that helped define their growth early on, leading to this tour. Lead single ‘I Keep On Messing It Up’ sparked the wider album creation and concept, inspiring the sound and themes of the rest of the tracks.
5th single ‘Guess She’s Cool’ Longhurst said offers a ‘different sound’ for their debut album. A nonchalant ‘first heartbreak’ anthem, punctuated with beach-y, laid back drums, and a Phil Collins-esque fill to bring in the final, wistful choruses after a floaty middle 8. If you’ve been looking for someone to capture the magic of COIN since they disbanded, Only The Poets are the perfect follow on, and ‘Guess She’s Cool’ is a wonderful extension of their sound.
Other singles from And I’d Do It Again ‘Emotionally Hungover’ and ‘You Hate That I’m In Love’ continued to fuel the frenzy from the audience, with the crowd just as energetic for deep cuts like ‘Over & Over’ as they were for fan favourites like ‘Gone By Now’. Fans of 5 Seconds of Summer, Why Don’t We and The Band CAMINO might find their synth-indie-pop sound especially familiar.
During their set, Only The Poets also discussed their recently announced show in Brixton with tickets for only £1. Firm believers in the importance of affordability in live music, the band want to make their shows as available as possible to as many fans as they can. Seeing rising acts with mainstream potential preach the value of the grassroots to the new era of music fans filled me with pride and hope for the future of UK music. From a show of hands, almost everyone in The Sunny seemed to have signed up to presale, so Only The Poets should have little issue filling their 5000 cap venue.
Only The Poets closed their set with ‘emotional’ from their first release demos., and a touching tribute to the grassroots and their role in their growth. On a seemingly unstoppable ascension to new-era pop-stardom, it is deeply encouraging to see an artist paying homage to the places that have helped them rise. Fans had clearly been waiting for this track, shouting and dancing with renewed vigour. Chanting, jumping, and counting in the band; the strength of fandom for Only The Poets speaks for itself.
With many in the crowd at the first performance coming back for more later in the evening, and queues to get into The Sunny unlike any I have ever seen, I am sure that The Sunny has hosted the return of a soon-to-be pop phenomenon. Although usually a country, metal, or rock listener and not a part of the of the boyband craze in my tween/teen years, I couldn’t fault their performance and thought the electric atmosphere, captivating stage presence, and clear artist-fan relationship made this an incredibly entertaining and satisfying gig to attend. One of the best acts I have seen come through The Sunny, I’d be sure to try and catch them live again soon.