Words by Paula Zawicka

From including smaller cities on tours to offering low-income tickets, Only The Poets have always put effort into making their shows accessible. That focus on the fans and building a community was obvious in Warsaw this Friday.

Words by Paula Zawicka

The band has a long-standing relationship with Poland, and it shows. With so many past shows under their belt here, it felt more like a homecoming than just another stop on the tour. The room was packed to the point where leaving and coming back were nearly impossible. It was hot, chaotic, and sweaty (seriously), but that’s part of what made it so fun. 

From the start, the energy was high, but what stood out most was how confident the band seemed. Having followed them since their early days, I’ve never seen them own the stage like this. Each member had their moment – speaking to the crowd, leading interactions, fully stepping into their role. It felt like watching a band that has truly grown into itself.

Midway through the show, frontman Tommy Longhurst opened up about struggling with his voice. It was clear he wasn’t at his best. His voice cracked while speaking at times but he pushed through and delivered vocally throughout most of the set. Instead of holding the show back, it seemed to elevate it. The crowd rallied around him in a way that felt genuinely supportive, turning the performance into something even more collective. That kind of relationship with a fanbase is really rare and definitely something to be proud of.

The setlist leaned heavily on older tracks and a few covers, which may have been a conscious adjustment. But if anything, it worked in their favour. Songs like “Looking at You” and “Emotional” (a perfect closer) sent the crowd into conga lines and mosh pits, while deeper cuts like “Waking in the Dark” and “Ceasefire” felt like an acknowledgement and a “thank you” to longtime fans who have been there from the beginning.

One of the standout moments was their take on Torn. The crowd went wild for the unexpected cover. There was also a brief, chaotic burst of Teenage Dirtbag, which fit right into the nostalgic tone of the night.

What really defined the show, though, was the crowd itself. Friends danced together, strangers pulled each other into circles, and everyone seemed to be feeding off the same energy. You could see it in the small details too – fans shouting adlibs from years ago, remembering tiny moments from past tours. That kind of collective memory doesn’t happen by accident. It filled me with pride to see the fanbase not only still alive and coming together but also continuing to grow. Newer tracks like “Emotionally Hungover” and “I Keep On Messing It Up” had the same level of crowd response, proving that the connection isn’t just nostalgia.

After the show, a large group stayed behind, and the band came out to play a few acoustic songs. In a very on-brand turn of events, what was meant to be one track somehow turned into a full crowd sing-along of What Makes You Beautiful. No one seemed surprised.

It wasn’t a perfect show, but it was also one of those rare gigs where that doesn’t matter. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives, the band was incredible, and the whole experience felt like being surrounded by friends, even if you came alone.

Considering how much Tommy was clearly struggling, it makes the performance even more impressive. If this is what an Only The Poets show looks like with the lead singer losing his voice, it’s hard not to wonder how far they can go when he’s fully back on form.

Words by Paula Zawicka