Our annual explosion of political poetry and unflinching wordplay is back. Exploring social issues through high-octane performances from some of the greatest wordsmiths of our time. This year’s Poetry with a Punch will take place in the incredible St George’s Hall, a venue famed for hosting radical social activists, from the suffragettes to the abolitionists, and the perfect setting for an evening of passionate poetry.

Opening their souls to us this year are multi-faceted spoken word artist George The Poet, award-winning poet Anthony Anaxagorou, “The Brown Hijabi” Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, and visiting Shubbak Festival artist Farah Chamma, accompanied by musician Phelan Burgoyne. The evening will culminate in a spectacular musical performance from rapper Lowkey.

About The Poets

George The Poet

George The Poet is a multifaceted artist, championing a new brand of poetry, that has been critically acclaimed. From his poetry collection Search Party to his striking and thought-provoking podcast Have You Heard George’s Podcast, George unearths and addresses a vast array of political, cultural and social matters.

Lowkey

Lowkey is a hip-hop artist and political activist from London who aims to use his music and voice to change the world and make it a better place.

Anthony Anaxagorou

Anthony Anaxagorou is a British-born Cypriot award-winning poet, fiction writer, essayist, publisher, and poetry educator. He has published nine volumes of poetry, a spoken-word EP, and a collection of short stories. He is the founder of Out-Spoken. GB.

 

Farah Chamma

Farah Chamma is a Dubai-born Palestinian performer. She is currently doing her MA in Performance and Culture at Goldsmiths University.

Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan

Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan is a published writer, spoken-word poet and speaker who interrogates narratives around racism, gender, Islamophobia, state violence and decoloniality in Britain. She is co-author of A FLY Girl’s Guide to University and her work has been featured in across news, print and media platforms nationally and internationally.

About The Host

Testament

Testament is a writer, rapper and world record breaking human beatboxer. His play Black Men Walking was nominated at the UK Theatre Awards and the Writer Guild Awards. Testament’s work includes the celebrated Hip-Hop album ‘Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice’ and ‘play Blake Remixed’. He’s recently presented BBC Radio 4 Pick of The Week.