By Emma Turner
On Monday, Reading-based indie pop quartet Only The Poets performed back-to-back gigs at The Deaf Institute in Manchester. With queues stretching down the street, I was lucky enough to catch the first show, scheduled for 7pm.
Manchester was one of five stops on the UK leg of their Going Back To Where It Began tour – a collection of intimate shows, followed by the announcement of their debut album And I’d Do It Again, due for release on 30th January 2026.
From DIY beginnings and manual labour jobs to playing hundreds of shows across the UK and Europe, including a support slot with Louis Tomlinson, the four-piece have built a devoted fanbase one gig at a time.
With an eager crowd, every inch of The Deaf Institute became filled. The second the lights dimmed, everyone screamed – and a bright flash of light emerged from the stage as the band came on to take their places, kicking straight into miserable, a fan-favourite from their latest EP Better on the Internet.
Fronted by Tommy Longhurst, with Clem Cherry on guitar, Andy Burge on bass, and Marcus Yates on drums, the four-piece really know how to put on a show. They gave it their all from the very beginning and their fans channelled that energy. From the first chorus of miserable, they yelled back the lyrics “I love you so / I need you so” eagerly that it was obvious the room was full of love and appreciation. If one thing’s for sure: Only The Poets’ fans are loud. Unapologetically, they had the best time, yelling the lyrics to each other. It sounded like pure release for them – a cathartic way of getting all their emotions out.
Moving straight into Mindset, Tommy belted the chorus of the uplifting track. His delivery further amplified the emotion of the crowd, and from looking around, you couldn’t just see their emotion, but you could feel it. Without pause, Tommy then introduced Over & Over, exclaiming how much the band have missed Manchester, before explaining how the song is all about missing a special someone in your life. The drums were explosive. It was literally impossible not to dance as their fast-paced songs brought an electric feel to the venue, as they owned the stage like true performers.
During the band’s newly released song Saké, the energy did not stop. The crowd sang word for word and danced along to the funky yet moody track. It brought out a new confidence in the band, who were full of attitude and swagger throughout.
Ending the night on older song Emotional, the noise coming from the crowd was on another level. As the song got closer and closer to its final chorus, fans instinctively got down on the floor. They knew Tommy would tell them to jump one last time – and of course, they did. Fans rose together as a collective force, belting the final chorus, and leaving the room on a euphoric high.
It was non-stop from start to finish – a seamless exchange of energy between the band and the fans that continued to build throughout the night. It was truly impressive, considering they had another show lined up right after – but without a doubt, they still delivered everything fans were hoping for. As artists, their passion and joy were undeniable, and it was wonderful to see the crowd giving them the reception they so deserved.
The night’s excitement didn’t just stop with the music. Just days before the show, the band had revealed news of their debut album, And I’d Do It Again, which is due for release on 30th January. During the show, Tommy spoke on the album, emphasising how integral fans had been for their journey, and how they could only release it thanks to their support. From their first gig being just £1 a ticket, to now playing all over Europe, they wouldn’t have been able to do it without everyone in that room.
The bond with their fans extends beyond this gig itself, with the band since revealing plans to be the first ever to headline London’s O2 Academy Brixton for the same price.
As a band, but also as fans of live music themselves, they will support the LIVE Trust – the voice of the UK’s live music and entertainment sector – with an additional £1 per ticket being donated to help make live music more accessible.
With the show taking place shortly after their album release, it’s sure to be a celebration for all.
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Emma Turner/ADRENALINE Magazine.
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