Best of Budapest & Hungary

Only The Poets are one of the UK’s most exciting emerging alt-pop bands, known for their honest, raw, and unfiltered confessional songwriting, as well as their energetic live performances. The four-piece from Reading has built its own community and fanbase entirely independently over the past few years. Through relentless touring, powerful live shows, and heartfelt songs, they have grown from playing small clubs to performing for large audiences, all while staying true to themselves. Their music often explores themes such as love, jealousy, heartbreak, mental health, and the challenges of growing up, allowing them to form a strong connection with their audience. On September 18, the band will return to Budapest, this time performing at Akvárium Klub’s KisHall stage.

    Led by Tommy Longhurst, the band’s sound is truly unique, balancing melancholic and emotional moments with uplifting, jump-around indie-pop anthems. Their recently released debut album, And I’d Do It Again, perfectly captures this emotional rollercoaster. The record is both intimate and expansive, blending ‘80s-inspired synths, huge choruses, indie guitars, and emotional lyrics. Songs such as Emotionally Hungover, Guess She’s Cool, and I Keep On Messing It Up clearly show why Only The Poets have become such a beloved act on the alternative pop scene.

    “We’re incredibly proud of this album, and also proud that we had the courage to make it this honestly,” said Tommy Longhurst. “This record shows who we are as a band better than anything else. There’s a lot of self-reflection, growth, and discovery in it.”

    Over the past few years, the band has toured extensively, performing as support for artists including Yungblud, Lewis Capaldi, and Bastille, while their own headline shows have continued to grow in size. Earlier this year, they played a sold-out show at London’s legendary O2 Academy Brixton. Part of the concert’s proceeds was also donated to support emerging UK bands.

    Hungarian audiences first saw them as Yungblud’s support act, and last year they returned with their own headline show at A38 Ship, quickly proving that their music truly comes alive on stage. Now they are coming back to Budapest with their new album.

    Only The Poets will perform at Akvárium on September 18. Ticket sales start on May 29 at 10 AM.