ARTHUR HILL: LONDON, UK
Arthur Hill with support from Only The Poets & Tors
at OVO Wembley Arena in London, UK - 14/03/2026
words and photos by Schuyler “Sky” Aldridge
After an incredible turnout for his 2025 ‘Stella Artour’, selling out legendary venues such as London’s O2 Academy Brixton, London-based singer-songwriter Arthur Hill delivered an extraordinary one-of-a-kind set at the OVO Arena Wembley to the largest audience he has ever played to. Performing in an arena despite still having yet to release a debut album, Arthur Hill has truly carved out his place in the music scene.
Arthur’s online presence has been a monumental help to his music career. Frequently appearing in videos with popular UK YouTubers, he has built a dedicated fanbase who support not only his music but him as a person as well.
Supporting Arthur in the arena were Reading-based band Only the Poets, who have recently been making headlines for their dedication to making live music more accessible. They previously headlined a show at the O2 Academy Brixton with tickets priced at just £1, a gesture that showed their commitment to fighting for affordability in an increasingly expensive industry. Also on the lineup were Tors, a three-piece folk band from Devon, bringing a warm and uplifting sound to the stage.
The highlight from Tors’ set was ‘Miracle’, their closing song. By that point, the crowd was fully engaged, with fans at the front dancing while those further back swayed along. There was a notable sense of surprise at how full the chorus sounded despite the group being a trio; filling such a large venue could have been a challenge, but they handled it with ease.
Next up were Only the Poets. There was a palpable buzz in the room to finally see them live, especially for those who had been unable to secure tickets to their sold-out Brizton Academy show earlier in the year. They opened with ‘I Keep On Messing It Up’, a standout track from their most recent album And I’d Do It Again. It filled the arena immediately, with electronic elements that encouraged the crowd to dance alongside frontman Tommy Longhurst, whose stage presence kept the audience engaged the whole time.
Hearing ‘Monumental’ live proved to be a brilliant experience. The vocals slotted into the song smoothly, creating a huge chorus that clearly resonated with fans. Groups of fans danced together near the back of the standing pit, singing along with huge grins on their faces, which made the set feel really wholesome.
They finished up their set with ‘JUMP!’, another track driven by a rhythm that constantly pushes forward like a wave in the sea. It felt like a bittersweet send-off to such a strong performance on such a massive stage, especially considering their own recent headline show at the O2 Academy Brixton earlier in the year.
Finally, it was time for Arthur Hill to take the stage. There were so many fans pressed up against the barrier, many of whom had queued for hours to secure their spot. Some held handmade signs while others wore custom DIY merch, once again showing just how dedicated his fanbase is. He opened with the iconic intro of ‘Hey Arthur!’, preceded by a dramatic curtain drop that revealed the full stage setup. It was clear he was feeling confident, walking across the stage in a custom two-piece denim outfit while effortlessly hitting the notes in the funky track.
‘John Wayne’ sounded fantastic thanks to the additional brass players and backing vocalists, who added so much depth to the live sound. The choice to bring extra musicians on stage for the arena show, rather than solely relying on backing tracks, was a well-received touch.
During the set, Hill mentioned that having a saxophonist made him feel obligated to cover George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’. Though a bold choice, the band delivered an exceptional version, and Hill’s stage presence matched the emotional tone of the track perfectly.
Later, the lights shifted toward the ceiling as a disco ball slowly lowered. The audience immediately prepared for what came next, as ‘Dead in the Disco’ began. From the back of the standing area, a conga line could be seen snaking through the crowd, marking one of the most joyful moments of the night.
Hill closed the set with ‘Appetite’, one of his newer releases. As the song played, the scale of his achievement became clear to everyone in attendance. Despite current discussions regarding the difficulty of succeeding in the music industry without mainstream backing, the night proved that it remained possible. Seeing an artist like Arthur Hill fill an arena before even releasing a debut album brings a sense of hope back to the music industry when it feels most needed.
TORS
ONLY THE POETS
ARTHUR HILL
