The last time we saw Seattle-based band, The Home Team, was on the idobi Summer School Tour last year. Sunday, we finally got to see them again at The Belasco in Los Angeles on The Crucible of Life Tour. The Belasco isn’t a huge venue, so it’s a place where you can feel every cheer, clap, and scream.
Jay Flores for THPJay Flores for THP
When the lights dimmed, the crowd went wild! Opening with ‘Turn You Off,’ a song off the band’s most recent album, which shares the same name as the tour. The night had a natural rhythm, shifting between high-energy bursts with songs like ‘Hell’ and quieter, more reflective moments with songs like ‘Walk This World With Me.’
One of the most OMG moments we caught was when Brian paused to address the crowd: “This is the biggest headlining show of our entire tour.” To be a part of this monumental crowd for a band we have seen grow has brought so much joy to our lives. For the OG fans who have seen them grow in the last 12 years, it must be such a surreal feeling. We can only imagine what it feels like to be in the band!
The crowd carried the night from start to finish, helping sing every lyric to every song. And let us just say, we appreciate that THT kept some of those OG bangers on the setlist, as well! ‘Fashion Forward’? ‘She’s Quiet’? Keep those on there forever!!! Please!!!!
Jay Flores for THPJay Flores for THP
If you have the chance to see The Home Team on the rest of their tour, please make sure you do! You’re not going to want to miss this one!
Check out the full gallery below!
If you caught THT this tour or plan on seeing them soon, let us know in the comments, on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, where we’re always buzzing about something!
Nothing beats a rock concert in September. The hot weather is finally cooling off, and indoor concert season is picking up! Over the weekend, we traversed through the mountains and back roads to Saxapahaw, North Carolina, to see one of our favorite bands, Bad Suns, perform live. The night was filled with loud fans, rocker moments, and, of course, all of our friends gathering to hear the music that we bond over.
Image Source: Brittaney Penney
Yot Club
The night began with a fun, care-free set from musician Yot Club, led by Mississippi-based singer Ryan Kaiser. Their set was intimate and the perfect transition into Bad Suns’ music! The crowd was energetic and welcoming to their music (plus a new song that has yet to be released), warming up the crowd for the main event. We enjoyed their performance of ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘japan.’ Shoutout to Yot Club – we look forward to seeing them grow over the next few years!
Image Source: Brittaney Penney
Image Source: Brittaney Penney
Bad Suns
A little after 9 PM, Christo, Miles, and Gavin took the stage. They opened with ‘Slow Karma,’ one of their popular songs from their new album Accelerator. Here is the official setlist from the evening:
‘Slow Karma’
‘Mystery Girl’
‘Off She Goes’
‘Madeline’
‘Heartbreaker’
‘Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me’
‘Why Am I Like This?’
‘Ready To Take Flight’
‘Baby Blue Shades’
‘Salt’
‘Just Like Magic’
‘Back To Zero’
‘Dancing On Quicksand’
‘Heaven Is A Place In My Head’
‘Violet’
‘Do The Twist Of Fate’
‘Communicating’
‘Cardiac Arrest’
‘Daft Pretty Boys’
Standout Moments
Have you ever seen someone crowd surf, but by walking on the crowd’s hands? Yeah, us either, until Bad Suns’ show! Christo raised the roof off the venue when he asked the crowd to bunch up near the barricade so he could be held up by a select few fans. What an unexpected, fun moment from Christo! We love seeing the rock-side of his personality come out in moments like this.
The band’s song ‘Communicating’ has really taken off this year, and hearing it live is always a highlight of the night. Before playing it for us, though, Christo asked everyone to open Spotify (or Apple Music, if that’s your jam) and hit play on ‘Communicating’ at the exact same time. The venue was dead quiet, and then the first few chords of the song started playing from everyone’s phone. Talk about getting your streams up in just one night!
This was our third time seeing Bad Suns perform live, and each time we are always so impressed by Miles Morris’s drumming skills. He’s one of those musicians who is so talented while on stage, it’s almost impossible not to look at him. Miles goes absolutely crazy on the drums during each song, his passion and talent shining through. If you’re a big Miles Morris fan like us, make sure you stand on the right side of the barricade for optimal view! You might also get thrown a drumstick after the show…
Image Source: Brittaney Penney
Image Source: Brittaney Penney
Bad Suns On Tour
We loved every moment of our night with Bad Suns! We certainly sang our hearts out and woke up the next morning with no voice (an indicator of an amazing concert). You can catch Bad Suns on the remainder of their tour in one of the following cities:
September 30, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA
October 1, 2025 – Boston, MA
October 2, 2025 – New York, NY
October 4, 2025 – Chicago, IL
October 5, 2025 – Minneapolis, MN
October 7, 2025 – Denver, CO
October 8, 2025 – Salt Lake City, UT
October 10, 2025 – Portland, OR
October 11, 2025 – Boise, ID
October 12, 2025 – Seattle, WA
October 14, 2025 – San Francisco, CA
October 16, 2025 – San Diego, CA
October 17, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA
December 13, 2025 – Lincoln, CA
Get tickets here and upgrade to VIP if you’re a superfan like us!
Check out our gallery from the show below!
Have you been to the Accelerator Tour? If you haven’t, make sure to get your tickets here. You will not regret it!
What’s your favorite song from each of these artists? Let us know in the comments below or chat with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Discord.
It’s a Saturday night in London, and the pubs are full of people spilling out onto the streets over laughter, clutching their half-full pints, unwinding after a long week. But on September 20th, the real buzz was not on the high street. Instead, it was at the iconic O2 Kentish Town Forum, where the queue for Grentperez’ headline show snaked around corners for miles. It’s the kind of line that makes passersby stop and ask, “Who’s playing tonight?” For one night only, the legendary stage once shared with icons like David Bowie and Bon Jovi was rebranded into Grant’s very own bar and Grill for his Backflips In A Restaurant Tour. And lucky for us, we had a table reserved and are here to share all the highlights from the unforgettable night.
Julie Clemessy Courtesy of French Press PR
A Band That Felt Like Family
Grentperez may be a solo act, but onstage, nothing about the performance felt solo. The connection between him and his band was electric, the kind of easy banter that makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on best friends hanging out. His bassist, drummer, and even the on-stage sommelier who served ‘Cherry Wine’ all played their part in creating a story that unfolded live before our eyes. At times, Japanese pop culture references were incorporated, microphones were shared, and home videos were created. The immersive and collective atmosphere is an experience you’ll only get surrounded by fans watching your favorite artist live.
Fans As Part of the Show
Halfway through the night, we started to wonder what the empty candle-lit table was doing on stage. Sure, it added to the ambiance, but the two unused chairs had us questioning the plot. Of course, this was reserved for two lucky fans who were brought onstage and seated comfortably. If this is not a dream for any fan, we don’t know what is!
Serenaded by Grentperez while the entire Forum looked on, the moment was half pub sing-along, half rom-com. It was the kind of interaction that makes you forget you’re in a 2,300-capacity venue and convinces you instead that you’re in a neighborhood spot where everyone knows your name. It was truly such a unique experience and way to spotlight the fans.
The Perfect Setlist
The setlist for Grentperez’s Backflips In A Restaurant Tour, was crafted like the perfect cocktail, equal parts high-energy classics and mellow, heart-tugging ballads. From our spot in the crowd, we loved watching fans with wide eyes enjoy their night. Some were slow dancing with their lovers to tracks like ‘Everest’ while friends jammed out with rolled-up tour posters in their hands, doing the air guitar to ‘Headspace.’ It felt really memorable as we watched a room full of fans who cared more about being present than capturing it on their phones.
Julie Clemessy Courtesy of French Press PR
From start to finish, the night felt less like a traditional gig and more like an invitation into Grant’s own cozy candle-lit bar. A place where music, community, and warmth took over. While the soundtrack was Grentpereez’ insane live vocals (seriously, his voice is so versatile!) With every joke, every note, and every ‘Cherry Wine’ toast, he reminded us that the magic of live music isn’t just about the artist, but the atmosphere they build and the people they share it with. For one night in Kentish Town, Grentperez made London feel a little smaller, a little warmer, and a lot more like home.
Did you catch Grentperez on his Backflips In A Restaurant Tour? Let us know what you loved in the comments or tweet us at @thehoneypop or find us across Facebook and Instagram.
The Rosemont Theatre in Chicago was packed to the rafters on September 4, and for good reason! KAI (best known as the main dancer of K-Pop juggernaut EXO) was in town for his solo KAION tour, and the energy in the venue could have powered the entire city. Fans (known as EXO-Ls) filled every seat, armed with light sticks and lungs of steel. You know what? The show felt like a holy trinity of S’s: screams, sweat, and sensuality. From the moment the lights dimmed, the decibel level shot through the roof. It was so loud at times that people literally covered their ears, only to burst into laughter and cheers moments later. And on stage, KAI was already drenched in passion and perspiration just a few songs in, gliding across the stage with the fluid grace of a panther.
When The Crowd Goes Wild
If there was ever any doubt about KAI’s star power, the Chicago crowd put it to rest. The roar that greeted him could probably be heard from down the street. Every time he struck a pose or flashed a smile, the fans responded with ear-splitting screams. It wasn’t just noise for noise’s sake: it was pure adoration. At points, the high-pitched shrieks were so intense that even die-hard fans found themselves momentarily covering their ears. (Imagine a sound so ecstatic you’re physically overwhelmed by it.) But truth be told, no one really minded. The louder the crowd got, the wider KAI’s grin grew, fueling a feedback loop of excitement!
KAI kicked off the night with ‘Sinner,’ plunging the theater into a frenzy right off the bat. From there, he launched into a string of solo hits spanning his three-year discography. Sensual R&B-infused tracks like ‘Mmmh’ and ‘Peaches’ had the audience in a vice grip. At one point, as KAI smoothly body-rolled and slid across the stage during ‘Mmmh,’ countless fans could be seen covering their eyes with their hands…while definitely peeking through their fingers. It was that kind of show: equal parts sultry and playful, where you might blush and scream at the same time. During high-energy hits like ‘Rover,’ the entire theater shook with synchronized fan chants and jumping. Even sitting down was impossible; the collective adrenaline had everyone on their feet, dancing and singing along as if they were part of the act.
Between musical segments, slick VCR interludes played on the big screens, giving both KAI and the crowd a breather while he changed outfits. Each visual was stylish and thematic, building anticipation for the next act without ever distracting from the live performance. It was a thoughtful touch that made the concert feel almost cinematic, yet still all about the music and the man on stage!
Image Source: Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Sweat, Tears, And Leather Jackets
By the midpoint of the concert, it was clear KAI was giving everything he had and then some. He was practically pouring sweat on the stage, and even a few (happy) tears had made an appearance. Dressed in one eye-catching outfit after another, he performed intricate choreography with a precision that left him visibly winded and shirt thoroughly soaked. In fact, one of his all-black ensembles (complete with leather pants and a jacket worn open to reveal his chiseled abs) nearly caused a meltdown in the crowd. When KAI cheekily asked the audience which outfit was their favorite, the answer was obvious from the deafening cheers. He playfully feigned surprise when fans screamed for the shirtless look, then, with a laugh, he zipped his jacket up and told everyone to “chill out” with a laugh, a lighthearted scolding that only made the screams grow louder.
Physically, KAI joked that he was exhausted (and who could blame him?). After back-to-back dance breaks, he took a moment during a ment to catch his breath and ask the crowd, “Are you guys tired yet?” The crowd answered with a resounding “No!”, prompting him to quip in response, “Of course you’re not tired, you’re all full of energy!” He said it with a grin, hands on hips, as thousands of fans laughed. It was a candid, humorous moment that highlighted the bond between performer and audience. Here was a global idol, dripping sweat under the spotlights, marveling at how his fans seemed to have endless stamina while he was the one doing all the heavy lifting (or rather, heavy dancing). Honestly, seeing KAI acknowledge his own fatigue so openly, yet still push on with a smile, made the crowd cheer even harder for him.
And then came the tears. Amid the sexy dance routines and high-octane numbers, KAI wasn’t afraid to get emotional. During one heartfelt talk segment, he paused as the crowd’s chants of “We love you!” grew louder and more insistent. It was obvious that the tidal wave of support moved him deeply: KAI’s voice wavered, and soon he was blinking back tears. He confessed to the audience that he felt he could never give as much love as he receives from them, a humble admission that only made the cheers swell. In that moment, the Rosemont Theatre became a sea of encouragement! Fans held up banners and shouted affectionate messages, and KAI took it all in, one hand pressed over his heart. It’s not every day you see an idol of his caliber openly crying on stage, and it gave the show a genuine, intimate touch.
Image Source: Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Fan Favorites And Surprise Moments
Emotions ran high, but KAI also kept things fresh and surprising throughout the night. The setlist was stacked, showcasing songs from all four of his mini-albums, plus a few special treats. In a nod to his EXO roots, he threw in a brief acoustic dance medley of EXO classics: ‘Love Shot,’ ‘Growl,’ and ‘The Eve.’ This unexpected tribute had longtime EXO-Ls screaming at the top of their lungs, thrilled to see KAI channeling the group that launched him. It was a clever way to honor his past while owning the stage solo in the present!
Another unforgettable moment came courtesy of the fans themselves. While KAI ducked backstage for one of several quick costume changes, the production team started playing the instrumental of ‘Amnesia,’ a sultry B-side track that, conspicuously, was not part of the official setlist. Chicago fans were ready for it. In what felt like a coordinated move (but was really pure fan instinct), the entire theater began belting out the lyrics to ‘Amnesia’ in unison. Thousands of voices singing ‘Amnesia’ a cappella filled the venue, creating a goosebumps-tingling moment that no one had expected, not even KAI. When he returned to the stage, he admitted he heard the impromptu singalong from backstage and was genuinely touched. He shook his head in astonishment and smiled that signature bashful smile. It was the kind of organic fan-artist interaction you can’t script, and it clearly left an impression on him (and everyone else in the room)!
Fans were also treated to plenty of interactive fun. During another costume change interlude, a “dance cam” challenge flashed on the big screen, prompting pockets of the audience to break into KAI’s signature choreographies. Whenever the camera landed on a particularly enthusiastic fan, the entire theater erupted in cheers. Imagine thousands of people doing the ‘Rover’ dance or mimicking the smooth moves from ‘Mmmh’ together; it was pure, wholesome chaos. These little breaks turned out to be delightful bonding moments for the crowd, as strangers high-fived and laughed with each other after each dance cam highlight. In a way, KAI was still orchestrating the vibe even when offstage, giving his fans a chance to shine and connect with one another.
Image Source: Courtesy of SM Entertainment
A Night Of Heart And Heat
As the show neared its end, KAI had one more surprise up his sleeve: one that would make headlines for K-Pop fans worldwide. In his final ment of the night, still buzzing from the crowd’s energy, he hinted that this solo adventure isn’t the only thing EXO-Ls have to look forward to. With a mischievous glint in his eye, KAI let slip that EXO may or may not be planning a group tour and a new album in the near future. The theater absolutely erupted. Imagine already being on a high from two hours of nonstop music and then hearing the possibility that your favorite group could be making a comeback. The excitement was off the charts. Social media was ablaze within minutes, but in the room itself, fans were hugging, screaming, and generally losing their minds at the mere idea. KAI laughed for spilling secrets which only endeared him more to the crowd.
Fittingly, he ended the night on a heartfelt note. For the encore, KAI reappeared wearing a relaxed smile (and, in a cute local twist, a jersey thrown over his stage outfit). He closed with ‘Blue’ and ‘To Be Honest,’ two of his most personal songs, waving to every corner of the theater as he sang. The atmosphere turned almost reverent. After all the sweat and bombast, here was KAI simply singing his heart out to a bluesy R&B melody, bathed in blue light. Fans swayed light sticks and phone flashlights gently, soaking in the last moments. When the final note faded, KAI stood in awe of the roaring applause, bowing deeply and taking a moment to just absorb the scene: Chicago giving him one last, giant wave of love!
In the end, KAION in Chicago wasn’t just a concert: it was a whole experience, a celebration of KAI’s artistry and the reciprocal devotion between a performer and his fans. Conversational and polished, playful and poignant, the night struck a perfect balance. KAI managed to turn a 4,400-seat theater into an intimate arena of shared joy, where everyone was either screaming, sweating, or swooning (often all three at once). As the house lights came up and fans wiped happy tears from their faces, one thing was clear: KAI left an indelible mark on the Windy City, and if this show was any indication, the man is more than capable of selling out arenas and hearts wherever he goes next!
Image Source: Courtesy of SM Entertainment
What did you think of KAI’s show in Chicago? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!
On a sweltering Monday night in August, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving rewound it back to the ‘80s, an era of yacht rock, dad rock and unadulterated musical craftsmanship. The Texas stop of the Toto, Christopher Cross and Men at Work tour was a sweaty, spirited celebration of nostalgia, talent and camaraderie…
If you’ve been around for a hot second, you know our love for indie-rock giants Only The Poets. It has been an incredible few years for this exploding Reading UK band, from supporting so many incredible artists on tour, to massive EP releases, festivals, a monumental record label signing, and international headline tours. It’s been a priviledge to watch this generationally-talented band achieve their dreams, while staying true to themselves and their fans. Whether it’s an EP review, a single celebration, or just a general feral fangirling moment, we will always ‘JUMP!’ at the chance to show Only The Poets some THP love! And if you think we were excited to attend their One More Night Tour concert in Manchester, you know we broke our legs running to interview OTP before the gig!
We popped along to Gorilla Manchester to chat to frontman Tommy Longhurst, and as we settled in at the venue’s upstairs bar, Tommy’s black and silver in-ear monitors still hanging around his neck, the feeling of OTP family has never been more felt. You know how some people just have a way of making others feel at ease? Yeah, that’s Only The Poets. This was a bucket list interview for The Honey POP! We’d love to take the opportunity to thank the OTP team, and especially to Tommy Longhurst for such a heartwarming and open chat. With all that being said, check out our interview with Only The Poets’ Tommy Longhurst below, as we talked all things touring, One More Night and better on the internet EP’s, bowling skills (or lack of), mental health advocacy, fan appreciation, and what’s next for the future of Only The Poets!
Welcome to The Honey POP Tommy! We know you’ve just got back from Reading Festival and you have a packed day with soundchecks and a record signing before tonight’s show. We appreciate you sitting down with us to answer all of our burning questions! You’re absolutely welcome! All good mate, all good!
Image Source: Courtesy of Chuff Media
The final leg of the One More Night Tour is underway and it’s the end of this era, as you’ve been saying on your socials! What’s it meant to you and what have been your highlights so far? Wow, well firstly it’s definitely felt like the most special tour we’ve ever done. I think, with some of the venues we’ve played and I think we took a step up with like, the production, you know with the lights and everything. It’s an era that we’re really proud of and we’re very very excited about what’s to come. But yeah, I think, we’ll look back very fondly and miss this One More Night era. Because what I loved about this whole thing was when we decided to name the EP One More Night, that song is actually about looking back on time, at fond memories and being full of nostalgia, so it’s actually ended up becoming quite a full circle thing where like, actually, we will look back on this era very fondly, and it kinda represents what that song was about conceptually. It fell into place very naturally which is kind of why we thought it’d be good to name the tour after it. So yeah, it’s been a blast, it’s been an absolute blast. We’re very excited about tonight. We always have great shows in Manchester, and it’s sold out, so we’re very excited!
We’re gonna miss this era too! Awwwww!
One More Night is one of the best bodies of work we’ve heard in a long time, we’re obsessed with it, it’s impeccable. Which is your favourite song to perform? Hmmm, ‘All The Time?’ Probably? We actually haven’t… we actually didn’t play it on all of the tour. We’ve just started playing it for these UK shows and it’s been a breath of fresh air and I love it! And I think it’ll be a main stay for a while ‘cos it just feels quite unique and we don’t really have anything like it. And what’s been great about all those songs is like, at one point it [favorite song to play] was ‘One More Night,’ at one point it was ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend, and at one point it was ‘It’s Okay (Not To Be Okay),’ so it keeps changing, which is nice. Thank you for saying you love it!
It’s absolutely stunning! What about to listen to? What’s your fave to listen to, and do you listen to your own music? I think… I do, but when something’s out there, because we’re constantly listening to things we’ve written recently and we have to critique it when we’re doing mix notes and actually being in the studio, you hear the song for 10 hours straight *giggles*, so it can start becoming a bit mind-numbing. But certainly when it goes on Spotify, I’ll have a few blasts in my car and it’s a really proud moment. You know, every time you release something into the world it’s terrifying but equally exciting. So yeah, I do listen occassionally!
What’s your fave to listen to when you do? From the One More Night era? [THP: Yes, or any!] Ooh! I love ‘Crash!,’ always have done. It’s just a real… I think it’s underrated. I think it got slept on a bit! Not by the fans, the fans loved it. I mean, I think it’s just a really special tune that I love to play as well. [THP: “So justice for ‘Crash!’?] Yeah! And I’d say for the One More Night era, ‘One More Night’ the song feels like a real moment in the set and obviously naming the tour after it, yeah that feels special in it’s own right as well.
You just surprise dropped the Deluxe EP of One More Night! In fact, we planned these questions and had to come back and change it up because of the surprise drop! [Tommy: hahahaha, sorry! THP: Don’t be, we couldn’t think of a nicer reason to change the questions!]. The Deluxe EP features the previous vinyl exclusive ‘Black and Blue’ – a beautiful way to round off this era, and it’s bold to assume we can all handle an acoustic right now. What’s the story with ‘Black and Blue?‘ It’s all about kind of like, the feeling of moving on feeling so alien to you, because you’re so hurt by a previous relationship. I think it’s almost that idea that they probably think you’re doing okay but you’re not. It’s a real honest one, basically talking about how moving on isn’t easy. And the beautiful thing about music is it doesn’t necessarily need to be a romantic song. It’s all just about the breakdown of a relationship, like a lot of our songs are, navigating your way through love and loss and things like that. So yeah, I just think that reaction, the reaction of doing it on this whole run just made us think “we should give the fans this!” Because obviously everyone getting the physical product is amazing, and we wanted to give you a little nugget of something that’s a bit of a surprise and a bit of an exclusive, but it felt right to put that on [The Deluxe EP]. And obviously ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend – Acoustic’ is very different to the original song, so we sort of flipped it on its head. And ‘Gone By Now’ as well, fan favorite, we all love that tune, it worked really well acoustically, so we just wanted to give everyone a few more tunes before we cap of this end of an era.
You’re about to soundcheck with fans, and you’re doing games with those fans too, before tonight’s show. That to us just sums up the relationship you have with your fans. [Tommy: Yeah, it’s fun man!] As a fan owned and run publication, we strongly believe in the power of fans and clearly so does Only The Poets. What do your fans mean to you? Oh, they are the absolute sole reason why we get to do this. So, just constantly reminding them of that and just, I mean people talk to me, people who aren’t in music, they’re like “oh you’re so engaged with your fans,” and we’re like, but that’s how… we know no different! Like, for us, that’s what we absolutely want to do, show our appreciation. Because without them, there is no Only The Poets. You know, what the fans always say is “Oh you’ve really helped us,” but like, what a lot of them probably don’t realise is they actually have helped us way more. The power of music and bringing us all together is beautiful. All we want to do is keep this family building and let’s hope we can do it. Yeah, you know, we just have a really special relationship and we wouldn’t change it for the world. We think more people should be like this. Because I do think some people kind of forget that at times, like, we will never do that. And also, all of the artists we’ve supported have shown the same level of appreciation. It feels like there’s a running theme there, people that are successful but have this real honest relationship with their fan base. We think that’s really great.
They are the absolute sole reason why we get to do this. […] Without them, there is no Only The Poets. You know, what the fans always say is “Oh you’ve really helped us,” but like, what a lot of them probably don’t realise is they actually have helped us way more.
Tommy Longhurst on what Only The Poets’ fans mean to them
And to a degree, there’s also some shared fans between you and those artists too? Fans gravitate to artists and people who have that talent but also put out that energy and mutual respect. Totally! Like, Louis Tomlinson was in one of the biggest boy bands in the world, and is SO greatful to his fans. We just did some shows with Dom (YungBlud), and it’s just the same level of appreciation. You know, it’s not why we do it but it’s just interesting isn’t it, that you can see that and go “Ahh that’s part of your success is looking after the people and remembering who got you where you are.” [THP: And fans always remember that appreciation too, we hold that close. Tommy: Yeah, totally!]
Our One More Night bias is ‘It’s Okay (Not To Be Okay)’ which is rooted in a topic you’ve always been very open about discussing in your music, which is mental health. Why does it matter to Only The Poets to put that into the world? I think just, there was a phase when I was writing songs and I was having a bit of a bad time, and I like, kinda of was scared to be that open and honest in my songwriting. And we released ‘Waking In The Dark,’ which was a good while ago now, which is a similar kind of concept to that song. That moment and the way people took that song and told us that it was helping them, certainly suddenly I was like “this is how I need to be now, just be honest.” Because I’m an emotional guy, we all are, and we think like, we have a platform as artists to raise awareness for really important things. I think music is therapy to a lot of us. And songwriting for me, I was going through a rough time in that period, and I was like “I’m gonna write a song that I think people need to hear and want to hear.” It’s such a powerful moment in the set now, and I think it’s one of the proudest I’ve been of a tune. We always joke that ‘It’s Okay (Not To Be Okay)’ is the evolution to ‘Waking In The Dark.’ I think ‘Waking In The Dark’ is beautiful and I love it, but like, with ‘It’s Okay,’ we call it ‘Waking In The Dark’s’ big brother!
What relationship is it to ‘No More Lonely’ then? Oooh I don’t know about that, that’s going way back!
You just dropped the better on the internet EP, which really feels like a gift between the fans and you. [Tommy: That’s exactly what it was!] What’s the story with this EP and were any of them debated to go on the One More Night EP? Yes! They were! What it was, I can’t say too much because I want to keep it all a surprise, but we all sat down and were like, we want to do things differently moving forward, like sonically, musically, lyrically and everything. And we were like, we have all of these great songs, there was like 50 of them on a hard drive, and Marcus and Clem have worked on loads of them. So us and our manager were like, to cap this era off let’s just give the fans four songs out of nowhere. Everyone went crazy which we knew would happen! I loved it because we’ve never done a release like that. Just seeing the reaction. Those four songs were top of the list and I’m so glad that we did it, because we’re playing some of them now. We did Reading Festival yesterday and played it, and they feel like a bit of a step up, even these four. So we’re really striving to bigger and better things now. It just felt like they deserved to be out there!
Stream better on the internet, here, right now. Go!
Okay, so with Better On The Internet already feeling like a step up, is this EP maybe a hint of things to come? Actually…. no, not really! Hahahahahaha! That’s the beautiful and interesting thing. And you probably thought I was about to go “Yeah!” but actually no! There’s a bit of an evolution there already, and maybe there’s dribs and drabs of it but certainly, it is about capping off this era. There’s some tunes in there, like ‘Indigo’ could have really lived on that body of work [One More Night EP], it’s like an indie tune. I love those four songs a lot and the reaction’s been amazing.
You’ve alluded quite excitingly (and stressfully), to the fact that things are about to change. Without saying anything you shouldn’t, please keep any secrets you need to keep… but what can you tell us about what’s next to come for Only The Poets? We’re just thinking bigger! We’re thinking just, trying to not put us in any genre boxes. We’re being way more open with our songwriting and the production, and the shows are gonna be different. We just wanna like switch things up, is what i’m gonna say. And I’m really bad at giving things away, so I’m gonna have to stop talking! I’ll trip over myself!
The Honey POP and Only The Poets’ Tommy Longhurst. Image Source: The Honey POP
Okay, quick fire round, first answers only, let’s go!
You’ve got to call a band member, but if they answer the call, you lose £10k. Who are you calling? Clem. Most competitive? Me. Who is most likely to be late to rehearsal? Andrew. Best post-show food? Who cooks the best, or what is the best? Oh, we have wraps. We like making little wraps, chicken and salad wraps. Lovely! Who is the best bowler? Andrew. Who is the worst bowler? Clem. If you had to swap places with anyone else on stage for the night, who are you swapping with? Marcus. And lastly…. This is never just band and fan, this is…… Errr…. Family?…… Can I say it? [THP: Yeah!] This is f**king family! Waheyyyy!
Errr…. Family?…… Can I say it? This is f**king family! Waheyyyy!
Tommy Longhurst
Show Time!
After our goodbyes and the obligatory selfie and hug, came show time! And what a show it was! Opening support act, scottish singer-songwriter Kerr Mercer brought all of the feels with his delectably rich vocals and moody reflective lyrics. We were also treated to a surprising cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Please, Please, Please,’ which got the crowd belting the chrous (in several interesting pitches…). A well needed and placed vocal warm-up prior to screaming along to OTP’s set! Mercer owned his opening-spot as a rising star, and with upcoming music releases planned, we’re excited to see what this young talent does next, including his headline gig in Manchester, in October!
Then came the main event, and as the red lights filled the stage and air as Only The Poets took to the stage, the vocalised support of their dedicated crowd roarered and ripped through the room. In fact, if this gig was a recipe, its ingredients would just say “Red Bull, tears and gravel.” The energy and emotion of Only The Poets’ music and lyrics, coupled with the concert production, insane instrumental talents of Marcus, Clem, Andrew (Roo), and Tommy, and their rock-fuelled vocals, had us jumping in the air and falling to our knees. A fitting reaction to what Tommy would later call “one of our favourite headline shows ever!”
If this gig was a recipe, its ingredients would just say “Red Bull, tears and gravel.” The energy and emotion of Only The Poets’ music and lyrics, coupled with the concert production, insane instrumental talents and rock-fuelled vocals, had us jumping in the air and falling to our knees.
The Honey POP! on Only The Poets’ One More Night Tour, Manchester UK
Highlights of the night included the straight-out-of-the-gates opening ceiling raiser ‘Crash,’ which set the energy level for the entire night; and the stripped-back and sob-inducing ‘Black and Blue’ which saw Tommy and Clem leave the stage with nothing but an acoustic guitar, a microphone, and a dream; and join fans on the GA floor for a stunning performance surrounded by the love and warmth of fans and the star-freckled glow of their torches. An instrumental interval before our beloved ‘Even Hell’ saw Marcus, Roo and Clem shine with their respective instuments as they jammed around Marcus’ drumkit for a shining moment of their collective foundation of OTP’s sound. ‘All This Time’ delivered tenfold as a previously discussed “breath of fresh air,” and the sold-out audience matched Tommy’s vocal as if years of school assemblies had finally come into use!
Our first live experience of One More Night‘s title track left no question mark over the merit of this song’s position and weight on the EP, with it’s euphoric live sound and mirroring of our feelings of never wanting the night to end. Our own personal bias, ‘It’s Okay (Not To Be Okay)’ made certain there wasn’t a dry eye at THP or across the venue, and gave us everything we hoped for from this emotional reset of a tune.
Through every up-tempo number, Tommy’s hip-action left nothing behind as he bopped around the stage like Manager Sam had put new batteries in him. These weren’t the only times Tommy left fans squealing though – as previously alluded to during our chat, OTP sent fans into a tail spin as they shared that future new music was going to “flip Only The Poets on it’s f**king head,” which ensured the entire room lost its final collective braincell.
The last song before the encore served as instruction, as the crowd moved as one for the crescendo of the bouncy sweat-dripping demands of ‘JUMP!’ And of course, our babies ‘Ceasefire’ with its swaying twinkle of crowd torches, and ‘Emotional’ with its nostalgia, mosh pit and euphoria; ended our night in the perfect flavour of Only The Poets. An incredible night of OTP family unity came to an end as fans filed out of Gorilla Manchester with smiles, memories and ringing ears. Chants of “One More Night,” declared that the love and pride in Only The Poets is only going from strength to strength. We’ve been to many an Only The Poets gig, and we couldn’t agree more with the band, as we close this coverage of the One More Night tour and interview… it was our favourite OTP headline show ever too, and this certainly is… “Errr, family?”
Worried you’re going to miss them too much? You can still score tickets for One More Night in Bratislava, or tickets for the One More Fright Halloween show, in Rotterdam on October 30th!
Do you want even more Only The Poets reviews, news and general feral stanning? We’ve got you! Check out our ever growing OTP coverage, here!
Did you attend the One More Night Tour? Are you ready for the new era of Only The Poets? Do you want that chicken salad wrap recipe? Tell us it all on X at @thehoneypop or by visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
“This night is for Riley Fucking Gale,” Chad Green, lead singer of Frozen Soul, announced as the band took the stage as the second opener for Power Trip’s concert Saturday night at The Factory in Deep Ellum. But this was no teary-eyed funeral party for Gale, who died in 2020…
Before she appeared on the stage at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory on Wednesday night, Sarah McLachlan appeared on the screens beside it. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter was making a pitch to support her Sarah McLachlan School of Music — three locations throughout Canada!…
Luke Hemmings played his first two headline shows in London, for his Nostalgia For A Time That Never Existed tour the first one being at O2’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Did we show up in full-glam and scream every song? Absolutely we did.
His first night was completely sold out, packed in every way you can possibly pack a place out. We made ourselves cozy and waited for the show to begin. Anticipation was high while waiting for Luke to take to the stage, and as he opened the show with ‘A Beautiful Dream’ before stepping right into ‘Close My Eyes,’ that anticipation became reality. If there’s a way to start a show, it is with high energy to get people moving, and Luke Hemmings did just that.
The show lasted just over an hour, with non-stop entertainment from Luke Hemmings. He found the perfect balance of his biggest hits mixed with album tracks, and every person there knew every word to, Every. Single. Song. The crowd kept the energy high throughout the entire show, not only with their singing, but there was constant movement, dancing, swaying. The flashlights came out for the slower songs, while moves were being busted to the more upbeat tracks. Luke Hemmings’ crowd knew the assignment and they aced it. London welcomed Luke with open arms and cherished every moment with him.
Luke shared his mutual love for London also. Explaining that the city was where he learned to write and learned to perform live, so it seemed to be a very reflective show for Hemmings. He even highlighted a memory from 10 years ago, where he swore to some friends that he could chug a gallon of beer… he then continued to say “there are no winners” in a challenge like that. He spent some time during the show, talking about how proud he is of his music. ‘Garden Life’ was noted as his favourite song he’s ever written, which is a bold claim, but one we wholeheartedly agree with.
Whilst London tried to shower Luke Hemmings with as much love as a city can give, there was a small moment where he was definitely disappointed in us for not laughing at his (bad) joke about pints of Camden Helles. Maybe British humor is something he still needs to work on mastering? We’ll teach him a thing or two on his next visit. Regardless, he sung such high praises for London and we can’t wait for him to return. Let’s do it all over again… but even bigger and even better.
Covering ‘Friday I’m In Love’ by The Cure was a power move on his behalf, to sprinkle that into the set towards the end was a lovely homage to the UK. (The Cure are from West Sussex, England, in case you weren’t sure). Finishing with ‘Starting Line’ was such an incredible send-off. The crowd kept the energy going all night, and they really went out on a high. The show consistently got louder, the longer it went on. To hear everyone collectively scream those lyrics at the top of their lungs was something really special. Emotional, even… some tears may have been shed.
‘Baby Blue’ will hold the number one spot in our hearts. Are you going to the Nostalgia For A Time That Never Existed tour? What’s your favorite Luke Hemmings song? Tell us it all over on Twitter (X), Facebook or Instagram.
“Maybe I’m just old-fashioned / read too many fairy tales” Grammy-winning jazz singer Laufey croons in her song “Like the Movies.” True as that may be, her old-fashioned sensibilities are connecting with a different generation than you would expect. The 24-year-old, who performed two sold-out shows at the Winspear Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday as part of her “Bewitched: The Goddess Tour,” cites classic jazz musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker as influences, as well as contemporary retro-inflected singer-songwriters such as Adele and Norah Jones…
There are few things I love more than a bunch of powerful women commanding a stage for the night, so I couldn’t miss the opportunity to attend FLETCHER’s Pride event: FLETCHER & FRIENDS. On June 4, UPSAHL, Olivia O’Brien, and FLETCHER took the stage at the iconic Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ to celebrate Pride Month 2023 with a concert. And, honestly, I wasn’t disappointed.
Let’s kick it off with the fact that this was my first time at the Stone Pony. It definitely fells like what my dad refers to as “a part of music history.” This is the hallowed ground where The Boss – Bruce Springsteen – got his start. Springsteen grew up in Asbury Park, playing the stage weekly at the Stone Pony (he’s played at the Pony more than any other venue). Now, it’s a year-round venue with an outdoor Summer Stage that hosts huge names in music like Demi Lovato and Louis Tomlinson.
There is absolutely nothing better than attending a concert beachside, and Asbury Park is the king of live concerts. Festivals like Sea.Hear.Now are massively popular, where artists like Stevie Nicks and The Killers are headliners.
FLETCHER – another music phenomenon that hails from Asbury Park – returned for a hometown concert of epic proportions. It was filled to the brim with fans, which even FLETCHER herself was impressed by. During the show, she noted she’d played the venue twice before (once where she had to beg family and friends to attend, another to a small gathering of 500). But this show is by far her biggest with a crowd of 4,000 strong.
FLETCHER’s surge in popularity isn’t surprising, considering she had mega-hit “Undrunk”, a song she herself admits she is tired of singing… No matter, FLETCHER puts a rock spin on the single that could go number one on its own. In fact, I wish she’d release it so I could play it on my own.
In total, FLETCHER sang 21 songs. What I was most impressed with wasn’t merely her giving us a full on concert, but her band and her soaring vocals. My friend and I were genuinely moved by her voice, which is super powerful. She can belt along with the best of them and croon to her heart’s content accompanied by a rocking band that kept the energy high.
Tove Lo (left) and FLETCHER (right) performing June 9, 2023
ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Another sweet moment was when she brought a young fan onstage to dance and perform “Cherry” with her. FLETCHER had seen a video of the fan saying she was going to the concert. So, when the girl came on stage, FLETCHER told her that this was her show and to dance her heart out. The crowd went wild.
FLETCHER’s gratitude for performing her songs for this particular crowd was obvious and she did not disappoint. A high point of the show were her covers: an electric version of Britney Spears’ “If U Seek Amy” and SZA’s “Kill Bill”, as well as Springsteen’s own, “I’m On Fire.” She debuted a new single dedicated to her home state, “Jersey In Me” alongside home video with clips of her friends and the glorious beach.
FLETCHER also brought out Olivia O’Brien for a fun rendition of their song “Bitch Back” and they had a total blast singing up there together. If there was a theme of the night, it was all about being yourself, having fun as a whole, and forgetting about life beyond the music.
She also played a decent chunk of her debut album Girl Of My Dreams – which came out in September – including an encore of her single “Becky’s So Hot.” She’s had a huge year, performing alongside Miley Cyrus at her New Year’s Eve Special, touring the UK and Europe, and now this hometown concert.
This show launches FLETCHER’s “Meet Her At The Bar: The Pride Month Experience”, where she hosts a series of pop-ups at women-owned, queer bars across the country. This is the second year in a row doing Pride Month pop-ups, where she’s helped raise over $50,000 for GLAAD.
FLETCHER’s iHeart video for her song “girls girls girls” and encouraged the crowd to sing the words “because she knows we knew them” and dance away. The entire crowd – who’d already experienced two performances, danced as if the night had just started.
Roger Daltrey (left) and Pete Townshend (right) perform on stage with The Who during ‘The Who Hits … [+] Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
“You know when you’re at a party and some old man dances?” mused Pete Townshend on stage Wednesday night in Chicago, poking a little fun following a shimmy as he set up The Who’s “Another Tricky Day.” “When I dance, it actually looks quite good!”
Townshend was affable and entertaining over the course of more than two hours at United Center, night five of the fall leg of The Who’s North American “The Who Hits Back!” tour.
What started as an idea the guitarist was loath to embrace on opening night in Grand Rapids, Michigan in May 2019 has grown to become one he seems to genuinely appreciate and indulge in. As they make their way across America, heading west into early November, The Who are once again backed by a 48 piece local orchestra in each city, as well as touring soloists Katie Jacoby and Audrey Snyder on violin and cello.
Simon Townshend (right) performs on stage with a 48 piece orchestra during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ … [+] tour. Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
Under the continued direction of conductor Keith Levenson – and at times Townshend as well – The Who are opening the show alongside the orchestral ensemble in celebration of the group’s 1969 rock opera Tommy, slimming things down midway through before returning to the orchestra for a look back at 1973’s Quadrophenia to close the show.
Wednesday night in Chicago, clarinet and flute kicked off “Amazing Journey,” Townshend almost hopping in place as his brother Simon Townshend accompanied singer Roger Daltrey and backing vocalist Billy Nicholls. Daltrey picked up a pair of tambourines as “Amazing Journey” meandered toward “Sparks,” sunglasses on as Townshend unleashed an early windmill.
Zak Starkey performs on stage with The Who during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October 12, … [+] 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
Backed by the full orchestra, drummer Zak Starkey shined early on “Pinball Wizard,” strings soon dominating a soaring rendition of “We’re not Gonna Take It.”
“If you enjoyed that, the Broadway Tommy is coming back to Chicago next June at the Goodman Theatre,” said Townshend at the completion of the album suite, noting the return of the stage production to the Windy City for a month-long engagement next summer.
Pete Townshend performs on stage with The Who during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October … [+] 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
Breaking out of the album, Daltrey, in a departure from the norm, opted for electric guitar as Townshend crouched for an early solo, trombones putting a unique spin on one of music’s most rocking moments in “Who Are You.”
Starkey leaned right, sharing a laugh amidst conversation with bassist Jon Button, playing throughout “Eminence Front.” A violin flourish proved to be a highlight in the early moments of the song, Townshend seeming to improv an almost scat-like jazz lead vocal.
Roger Daltrey performs on stage with The Who during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October … [+] 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
“In 2019, before the pandemic and all of that s–t, we went into the studio,” said the guitarist, explaining the origins of the group’s fine twelfth studio album Who, setting up “Ball and Chain.” “It’s hard to beat the material that we did when we were 12. But we had a go.”
Daltrey, 78, vastly exceeded all expectations, in fine vocal form throughout, singing as if his life depended on it during “Join Together.”
“This amazing orchestra with us takes a break now. They work a lot harder than we do. Well, harder than I do,” said Townshend with a nod in Daltrey’s direction, kicking off a Who band set with “Relay.”
(Left to right) Simon Townshend, Zak Starkey, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend perform on stage … [+] during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
During recent tours, Daltrey and Townshend performed “Won’t Get Fooled Again” as an acoustic duo, but they returned the legendary cut to its full rock glory on stage Wednesday night, Townshend windmilling the song to completion. Jacoby and Snyder embellished a gorgeous, primarily acoustic take on “Behind Blue Eyes” next, Townshend sitting down to pick at an acoustic.
Despite big shoes to fill, Button nevertheless continues to shine on “The Real Me,” making John Entwistle’s bass showcase his own, strings driving forth the performance as the orchestra made its way back to the stage Wednesday night.
Daltrey put forth a call and response vocal part as the ensemble jammed out the ending on “5:15,” the show reaching its unquestionable high point in a horn-driven frenzy as the band stretched out on “The Rock” immediately following.
Roger Daltrey (left) and Pete Townshend (right) perform on stage during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. … [+] Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
“What’s so interesting is that every now and again, we get an orchestra that knows how to rock,” said Townshend of the Chicago collective. “This is one of them.”
Keyboard players Loren Gold and Emily Marshall sparkled early as Daltrey reached higher and higher on the always stunning vocal piece that is “Love Reign O’er Me.” Townshend turned back and to his right, giving a thumbs up to the orchestra after doing a little conducting of his own, Jacoby’s fiddle soon driving “Baba O’Riley” in the show’s final moments.
Violinist Katie Jacoby performs on stage alongside The Who as part of a 48 piece orchestra during … [+] ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
“Chicago… I just love this idea of a big city right beside a big f—ing lake,” said Townshend, 77, on stage Wednesday night. “I hope we’ll be back.”
Beautiful three part harmonies were on display to open the show as the Steven Page Trio performed on stage in Chicago, their final night as opening act with former Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and his band The Dirty Knobs set to take over tonight in St. Louis.
“So you may be wondering to yourself or out loud, ‘Is that the guy who used to be in Barenaked Ladies?’” joked Page on stage at United Center. “It is! It’s me!”
Pete Townshend performs on stage during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at … [+] United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
Singer on some of the group’s biggest hits, Page kicked off with BNL’s “It’s all Been Done,” backed by Craig Northey, of Canadian alt rock group Odds, on electric guitar and cellist Kevin Fox.
Page’s acoustic playing stood out on “Jane” with “The Golden Age of Doubling Down,” from his latest solo album, the brand new Excelsior, a highlight next.
Zak Starkey (left) and Roger Daltrey (center) perform on stage during ‘The Who Hits Back!’ tour. … [+] Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Photo by Barry Brecheisen
Low cello carried the Barenaked Ladies standout “The Old Apartment” as Page unleashed rock star jumps and kicks, strumming like mad at the front of the stage during a gorgeous rendition of “Brian Wilson” to close out the group’s 40 minute set.
“Thank you very much. It’s amazing being back in Chicago,” said Page following the trio’s performance. “I want to thank The Who for inviting us to do these shows. We’ve watched every show from the side of the stage. We’ll miss watching them every night. Happy trails.”
