Photo + Words: Kieran Craven
Hailing from Reading, ONLY THE POETS re-established themselves in Birmingham with an intimate performance at the Sunflower Lounge.
The demand for the show was very high, with a second performance added after selling out their original announced show in rapid time. Ahead of a Catfish and the Bottlemen show, members of the band handed me a flyer that still sits on my wall to this day. To see their rise from very humble beginning is extraordinary and something they have clearly worked immensely hard on. The growth of Only the Poets has been nothing short of remarkable and that is exactly what their show in Birmingham was.
Opening with their single ‘Miserable‘, the crowd erupted with cheers and excitement, as they surrounded the stage and phone lights filled the venue from the staircase all the way down to the doors. The energy from the band was electrifying. They went all out and still had another show just two hours later to get through too. Continuing their one of their latest singles ‘Emotionally Hunger‘, it has already become a huge hit amongst their fans. Many of them are already familiar with the track, as they sang every word back.
Rounding the night off with ‘Emotional‘, a song that speaks of relationships and words left unsaid, was the perfect track to end the performance on. As their new album ‘And I’d Do It Again‘ is set for release in January 2026, this felt like the undertone of the record. A reflection piece that depicts the history of not only the band as a whole, but each member individually.
Speaking to fans after the show, it was mesmerising to hear that some had travelled from as far as Germany, Switzerland and The Netherlands. That alone tells you how truly dedicated the fans of this band are, and to return the favour, ONLY THE POETS will be performing a special night at O2 Academy Brixton on Monday 2nd February 2026. An event where tickets are priced at just £1, in support for accessibility to live music.
Pre-sale begins on 11th September.
Taped Magazine 