Show Review: One More Fright - Only The Poets
Only The Poets are a Pop band originally from Reading, UK. Despite the band forming more than 7 years ago, they have taken on a massive influx in fans over the more recent years due to their support slot for Louis Tomlinson on his world tour in 2022. Jumping from small local pubs to larger venues in no time, the band are leaving their mark across the UK and Europe in particular, selling out shows and bringing people together all while developing their image with each new project.
Last year, the band held a show on Halloween during their tour, referred to by fans as “OTPween”, at Louisiana in Bristol, with a capacity of 140 people. This year, they took a jump and sold out two nights at Massillo in Rotterdam, which has an impressive capacity of 1250 people. The shows were called “One More Fright”, a play on their recent EP, One More Night and the One More Night tour they did in the summer. I was lucky enough to be able to travel and attend both nights and was not left disappointed.
The experience for fans began before the show had even started, with decorations made by the band and crew being featured outside of the venue. A red carpet was placed on the stairs leading to the entrance with a photo opportunity for fans, featuring a spooky backdrop and various props, making audience members feel like VIPs before they had even entered. In the smaller room before the main entrance to the stage, there were cardboard cut-outs of the members for fans to pose with as well as photo frames stating “I survived one more fright 2024”, and a photographer was walking around this space, capturing candids and asking audience members to pose with the props. There were even actors dressed as zombies wandering about this area of the venue, who were open to photos with audience members as well doing their fair share of scaring and photo-bombing.
The stage set up for the show itself was intense, with eerie visuals featured on a background screen throughout the show and gravestones with each of the members names carved onto them next to their designated spaces, and the costumes didn’t disappoint. The setlist for the show featured covers such as “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Teenage Dirtbag”, by Wheatus, alongside their original tracks such as “Looking at you” and “Emotional”, which were a welcomed change for the audience as covers are a rarity for the band. Drummer, Marcus Yates, had his first live vocal solo during Teenage Dirtbag, sending fans into what can only be described as a state of shock and excitement, but that wasn’t the only surprise. Halfway through the set, the band would leave the stage, with the lead singer, Tommy Longhurst, beginning an appreciative speech before being interrupted by a “knock on the door” and leaving the stage, with the rest of the members following closely behind. As audience members were left in a state of confusion, the band would appear at the back of the room to perform a short DJ set, essentially turning the concert into a temporary nightclub. As the shows had after-parties planned to take place at local clubs in Rotterdam, this was a great way to give audience members who may not be able to attend the parties a similar experience without needing to spend the extra money or plan alternative travel.
During the second and final night of the shows, Poets brought back their older tracks “Dead Young” and “Stolen Bikes”, sending the audience into what I would describe as a state of positive chaos. These songs were played at their “funeral” show back in the summer, with the band claiming they would never have a place on their setlist again, so it is understandable why this was a huge moment for the fans (including myself).
Only The Poets are centred around their fans and continue to do their best to include them in everything they do. This show was a demonstration of the commitment they put into giving back to their supporters and was a truly unforgettable experience for everybody.