This June, Manchester welcomes the launch of SLAMCHESTER, a one-night-only spoken word slam taking place at the city’s creative hub 53Two on Saturday 22nd June 2025.
Hosted by acclaimed Salford poet and creative producer Kieren King, the event will see eight of the city’s most exciting voices compete live on stage in a fast-paced, high-energy poetry battle.
The poets competing are vibrant members of Manchester’s spoken word scene:
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Biz Bond (Southbank Centre New Poets Collective, BBC6 Music)
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John Clifford (BBC Upload)
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Kate Ireland (BBC6 Music, Glastonbury Festival)
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Esther Koch (BBC Radio1 Xtra)
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Ella Otomewo (BBC Words First)
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Shak (Spoken Lyrik Producer)
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Robert Steventon (Punk In Drublic, Bluedot Festival)
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Culain Wood (Rhyming Words, Glastonbury Festival)
Alongside the slam, the night includes a special guest performance by renowned poet Jardel Rodrigues (BBC Words First Winner), plus an open mic section for fresh new voices. This isn’t your quiet, head-nod poetry night, it’s bold, loud, and unpredictable.
Created as a celebration of Manchester’s thriving poetry scene, SLAMCHESTER aims to bring together the city’s established artists and up-and-coming talent under one roof. Speaking about the event, creator and host Kieren King says: “I’ve been part of this scene for years, and it felt like the right time to create a space where performance poetry could be celebrated with the same passion as live music or theatre. SLAMCHESTER is about giving people a night to remember and a platform to be heard.”
Salford-born poet and four-time UK Slam finalist Kieren King is the former co-founder of cult Manchester night ‘Evidently.’ Known for making poetry accessible and exciting, Kieren envisions SLAMCHESTER as the first step toward a city-wide slam tournament.
Venue: 53Two, Arch 19, Watson Street, Manchester, M3 4LP
Tickets: £6 in advance, £8 on the door
Date: 22 June 2025
Time: 19:30
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.
