Out-Spoken

Out-Spoken Out-Spoken: London’s premier poetry & music night at Southbank Centre 🎙️ Out-Spoken is one of London's premier nights for poetry and live music.

Founded in 2012 by Anthony Anaxagorou, Out-Spoken is hosted by Joelle Taylor, Karim Kamar, and Sam "Junior" Bromfield. Out-Spoken invites the UK's leading poets, rappers and musicians to share their art at a monthly showcase. Out-Spoken currently takes place at The Forge in Camden. Past performers have included:

Raymond Antrobus • Nia Barge • Nate • Brotherman • Akala • The King’s Will • Tshaka C

ampbell • Inua Ellams • Simon Mole • Eliza Shaddad • Joshua Idehen • Mystro • Femi Martin • Big Hat • Chimene Suleyman • Rachel Rose Reid • Juice Aleem • Anna Le • Sabrina Mahfouz • Hollie McNish • Maze Hill • Josh Osho • JJ Bola • Deanna Rodger • Alex Mills (feat. Alex Patten) • TY • PoetCurious • GREEdS • Kat Francois • HLI • Rufio Summers • Jacob Banks • Berkavitch • Polarbear • Zena Edwards • Floetry’s The Floacist • Niles “Asheber” Hailstones of Afrikan Revolution • Sarah Perry • Stephanie Dogfoot • Angry Sam • James Massiah • Miri • Cecilia Knapp • Zia Ahmed • Hibaq Osman • Becky CJ • To Kill A King • Mista Gee • Joelle Taylor •Ayanna Witter-Johnson • Stephen Murphy • Rosie Knight • Lanré • Bohdan Piasecki • Joel Baker • Katie Bonna • Dean Atta • Adam Kammerling • Yrsa Daley-Ward • Sophia Thakur • Richard Judge • The Room • Deborah Stevenson (feat. Emily Franklin of Mouthy Poets) • yoB • Belinda Zhawi • Kal Lavelle • Rhythm of Men • Niall O’Sullivan • Dan Cockrill • Fifi Rong • Ben Hayes • Emily Harrison • Paul Gladstone Reid • Salena Godden • Randolph Matthews • Jasmine Ann Cooray • Chris Redmond • Rafeef Ziadah • Kieran Leonard • Nathan Watson • Ollie O’Neill • Malika Booker • Musa Okwonga • George The Poet •Despina Pilavakis • Lester Clayton • Pete The Temp • Roselie • Louise Gold of Three Laws

Our final Out-Spoken Live (for a while) lands at  on 15 January 2026, and we’re going out with a bang!We’ll be taking a ...
02/12/2025

Our final Out-Spoken Live (for a while) lands at on 15 January 2026, and we’re going out with a bang!

We’ll be taking a hiatus and returning in Autumn 2026, so don’t miss your chance to be in the room for this one.

Poetry + Music from:

Joelle Taylor ()
Hollie McNish()
Anthony Anaxagorou ()
The Halfway Kid()
Karim Kamar()

⏰ 7.45PM
📍 Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
🎟️ Book now at southbankcentre.co.uk or via the link in our bio

Can’t wait to see you all there x

 takes the stage tonight at  for the last Out-Spoken Live of 2025 ✨A London-based singer, songwriter and producer, Shant...
27/11/2025

takes the stage tonight at for the last Out-Spoken Live of 2025 ✨

A London-based singer, songwriter and producer, Shantéh is known for her innovative use of live looping and her powerful approach to creating music rooted in scripture. Her new album Breath, crafted entirely with her vocal loop pedal, blends spirituality with contemporary sound. She has worked with artists including Emeli Sandé, Lukas Graham, Brandon Beal, Ann Nesby and Jungle’s 4am Kru, and is a lead vocalist for Afro-Jazz collective Steam Down and UK–Colombian group Mestizo.

📍 Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
🎟️tickets — link in bio!

Tonight,  takes the stage for the last Out-Spoken Live of 2025  🎹 A self-taught pianist, Jared first began playing on th...
27/11/2025

Tonight, takes the stage for the last Out-Spoken Live of 2025 🎹

A self-taught pianist, Jared first began playing on the streets of London during the 2020 lockdown, sharing joyful boogie-woogie with passersby. Since then, he’s built a devoted following, bringing the music he loves to audiences across social media and beyond.


📍 Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
🎟️ last remaining tickets — link in bio

Tomorrow night,  takes the stage tomorrow night at  for the last Out-Spoken Live of 2025🎙️Luke Kennard won an Eric Grego...
26/11/2025

Tomorrow night, takes the stage tomorrow night at for the last Out-Spoken Live of 2025🎙️

Luke Kennard won an Eric Gregory Award in 2005 and became the youngest writer ever shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection with The Harbour Beyond the Movie. His collection Cain was shortlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize, while Notes on the Sonnets won the Forward Prize for Best Collection in 2021. His novel The Transition was a BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime, and his newest collection, The Book of Jonah, was published by Picador in 2025.

📍 Purcell Room,
🎟️ Tickets: link in bio

Haia Mohammed takes the stage this Thursday at Southbank Centre 🎙️A 22-year-old poet from Khan Younis, Gaza, Haia writes...
24/11/2025

Haia Mohammed takes the stage this Thursday at Southbank Centre 🎙️

A 22-year-old poet from Khan Younis, Gaza, Haia writes with a deep love for the sea, the sky, art, her homeland, and her family. After studying computer programming, she arrived in London in 2025 to take up a Creative Writing scholarship at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her debut pamphlet, The Age of Olive Trees, is published by Out-Spoken Press — a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the future she dreams of for her people.

Haia performs alongside Dzifa Benson, Luke Kennars, Jared Nandra and Shanteh.

📍 Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
🎟️ https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/out-spoken-november/

Next Thursday, Dzifa Benson takes the stage at  🎙️An award-winning multidisciplinary artist, ’s work weaves through lite...
20/11/2025

Next Thursday, Dzifa Benson takes the stage at 🎙️

An award-winning multidisciplinary artist, ’s work weaves through literature, science, theatre, ritual, performance and immersive technology. She has received fellowships from the Jerwood Foundation and Hedgebrook, and has been shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize and the inaugural James Berry Poetry Prize. Her debut poetry collection, Monster, is published by .

Dzifa joins us for the next edition of Out-Spoken Live, alongside Haia Mohammed, Luke Kennard, Jared Nandra and Shantéh.

📍 27 Nov, Purcell Room,
🎟️ Get your tickets via the link in bio

We’re back in November for a beautiful night of poetry and live music, hosted by the one and only Joelle Taylor 🎙️Featur...
30/10/2025

We’re back in November for a beautiful night of poetry and live music, hosted by the one and only Joelle Taylor 🎙️

Featuring:

~ Dzifa Benson
~ Luke Kennard
~ Haia Mohammed
~ Jared Nandra
~ Shantéh

📅 27 November, 7.45pm - Southbank Centre
🎟️ Tickets — https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/out-spoken-november/

Out-Spoken Live is back in November! Poetry, music + pure energy at Southbank Centre📅 27 Nov 2025, 7:45PM📍 Purcell Room,...
27/10/2025

Out-Spoken Live is back in November! Poetry, music + pure energy at Southbank Centre

📅 27 Nov 2025, 7:45PM
📍 Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
🎙️ Hosted by Joelle Taylor

Featuring poetry and music from ~

- Dzifa Benson
- Luke Kennard
- Haia Mohammed
- Jared Nandra
- Shantéh

An electric night of spoken word + live sound you won’t forget.

🎟️ Grab your tickets here:

Poet and author Joelle Taylor hosts our monthly live poetry and music night, bringing together emerging and world-renowned poets and artists.

Two days til our biggest night of the year at  💫 Tickets are moving fast, so run don’t walk, to grab yours now (link in ...
23/10/2025

Two days til our biggest night of the year at 💫

Tickets are moving fast, so run don’t walk, to grab yours now (link in bio) 🔗

🎙️ Michael Rosen () Beloved author, broadcaster, and national treasure, Michael has been captivating audiences for decades with his wit, warmth, and razor-sharp observations on language, childhood, and life. Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, he remains one of the UK’s most influential literary voices.

🎙️ Jackie Kay () The former Scots Makar and award-winning author of Red Dust Road and The Adoption Papers, Jackie’s poetry and prose are rich with humour, tenderness, and identity. Expect lyrical brilliance and storytelling that stays with you long after the night ends.

🎙️ Daisy Chute () Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and Glastonbury favourite, Daisy blends folk, Americana and classical influences with soaring vocals and soul-stirring lyricism. Her upcoming musical Coven, inspired by the Pendle Witch Trials, is already creating buzz, and her live performances are simply spellbinding.

🎙️ Simon Armitage () The UK Poet Laureate brings his trademark wit and lyrical depth to the stage. With acclaimed collections like Blossomise and Magnetic Field, Simon’s work explores the beauty and brutality of everyday life with an unforgettable poetic touch.

🎙️ Errol Linton (.linton) The Guardian calls him the “figurehead for contemporary British blues.” A Brixton-born icon, Errol fuses the rhythms of London, Kingston, and New Orleans into a sound that’s uniquely his own. Expect harmonica mastery, deep soul, and unstoppable groove.

The legendary Michael Rosen is joining us at the Queen Elizabeth Hall this Saturday!Alongside him:- Jackie Kay- Simon Ar...
23/10/2025

The legendary Michael Rosen is joining us at the Queen Elizabeth Hall this Saturday!

Alongside him:
- Jackie Kay
- Simon Armitage
- Daisy Chute
- Errol Linton

📍 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
📅 Saturday 25 October, 8pm
🎟 Tickets: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/out-spoken-october/

Address

Southbank Centre
London
SE1 8

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