Judging by the eager crowd outside The Fleece on Wednesday night, it was clear that the Bristol leg of Only The Poets’ tour would be a hit. The indie-pop band, originally from Reading, gained popularity as a support act for Louis Tomlinson during the UK and European stretch of his self-titled world tour. Earlier this year, they released the EP *One More Night*, which charted in six countries and reached the top forty in the UK.
The anticipation for the band’s arrival was electric. Gig-goers sat in circles, chatting and taking selfies, enjoying the pre-show playlist featuring Taylor Swift and One Direction. Glued to the barrier by the stage, I overheard some fans saying they had flown in from Europe specifically for this gig. A sense of unity was definitely present, a testament to Only The Poets, whose music is clearly bringing people together.
Due to their legendary kindness and dedication to making their fans feel valued, it was no surprise that the sense of togetherness was amplified when Only The Poets took the stage. With Tommy Longhurst at the helm, he performed directly for rows of fans, making sure that everyone was entertained and had a good time.
Their electrifying performance, with strobing colorful lights and a cleverly curated set, encouraged the audience to experience a full range of emotions. There is a noticeable recurring theme in the band’s music: mental health. As Tommy introduced their song “It’s Okay (Not To Be Okay),” he emphasized the importance of reaching out for support. This song is a prime example of their commitment to authenticity while creating awareness of significant issues. During this part of the show, I noticed many friends leaning on each other, holding hands, and hugging. This heartfelt vulnerability and closeness reached its height moments later when Longhurst and Clem Cherry stepped off the stage with just an acoustic guitar and microphone in hand, entering the crowd for an acoustic performance. The crowd responded immediately, forming a circle in the center and ensuring everyone could see the pair. It was a very intimate and special moment for the band members and their audience. They performed their melancholic and melodic ballad “Black and Blue,” a track that’s available on the physical vinyl, CD, and tape versions of the *One More Night* EP.
At the end of the night, the band promised they wouldn’t be gone long. Longhurst hinted at new music and a new era that will “flip Only The Poets on its f*cking head.” Without a doubt, there is a very promising future for this band.
Role: I’m a professional photographer and I love using both digital and film formats.
Qualification: I have two university degrees in photography from UWE in Bristol, BA (hons) and a Master’s.
Available for: Gig shoots, festival shoots, portrait photoshoots, album and single cover shoots and behind the scenes photography.
First attended gig: When I was at school, we had an evening called “Bands Night”. At the ages of 14/15, quite a few of my friends were in a band, playing the drums, guitar and vocals. I would always go and support these nights as I was their biggest fan, but also because staying out until 9:30pm on a school night was wild. These are the earliest gigs I can remember and I remember them so fondly.
First gig shot: BAD SOUNDS! What an impressive show it was.
Dream gig: Heavy question. There are so many and I feel very lucky to have already photographed the likes of Self-Esteem and Arlo Parks. Photographing a Prince concert would have been magic. Right now, I’ll say that photographing U2, during an intimate performance somewhere in Ireland would be more than a dream come true.”
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