Only The Poets Seek Support Act for Historic £1 Brixton Show, Championing Grassroots Music
Rising stars Only The Poets are set to play a landmark show at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on February 2, 2026, and are extending an invitation to an unsigned band or artist to join them on stage. The show is notable not only for its incredibly affordable ticket price of just £1 – mirroring the cost of their first ever gig – but also for its commitment to supporting the UK’s vital grassroots music scene [1].
A Party of Music and Community
The Brixton performance comes hot on the heels of the release of only The Poets’ debut album, ‘And I’d Do It Again,’ on january 30, 2026.Fans can pre-order the album here and secure their tickets for the show here. But this isn’t simply a concert; it’s a statement. The band’s decision to price tickets at £1 is a direct effort to make live music accessible to everyone, particularly at a time when the cost of living is soaring.
Supporting the Next Generation of Artists
In addition to the accessible ticket price, £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the LIVE Trust, an initiative dedicated to protecting grassroots live music venues across the UK [2]. This commitment is further underscored by their search for a support act. Unsigned bands and artists are encouraged to submit their details and a song via this request link.
The Selection Process: A Celebration at the Purple Turtle
The selection process is uniquely designed to reward emerging talent.Five shortlisted acts will perform live at The Purple Turtle in Reading on January 30, as part of a special all-day event celebrating the album release, complete with fan signings and meet-and-greets. A final decision will then be made by the fans in attendance, who will select the winning act to open for Only The Poets at the Brixton Academy [3].Importantly, all five shortlisted acts will receive a fee for their performance, recognizing the value of their time and talent.
A Response to a Crisis in Grassroots music
Only The Poets’ initiative arrives at a critical time for UK grassroots music venues. Recent reports highlight a worrying trend of closures, with 125 venues shutting their doors in 2023 – an average of two per week .The band acknowledges the crucial role thes venues play in nurturing emerging talent, stating, “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.”
This sentiment is echoed by the ongoing campaign for a £1 ticket levy on larger arena shows, with the revenue generated being reinvested into smaller venues .Only The Poet’s £1 Brixton show and the search for a support act represent a proactive effort to address the challenges faced by the grassroots music community directly.
key Takeaways
- Only The Poets will play the O2 Academy Brixton on February 2, 2026, with tickets priced at £1.
- The band is searching for an unsigned act to support them at the show, with applications open now.
- £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the LIVE Trust to support grassroots music venues.
- The initiative comes amid a crisis in the UK’s grassroots music scene, with numerous venues facing closure.
