Following the news of his world tour next Spring (including USA, Australia and NZ), Britain’s best loved poet Dr John Cooper Clarke has today announced a huge UK headline tour for November/December 2018.
John will perform live shows across some of the UK’s most iconic venues including a headline date at Manchester’s prestigious Bridgewater Hall and a very special show at one of the most famous theatres in the capital city, the London Palladium. John will also be joined by very special guest acclaimed comedian Simon Day who will be performing as Yorkshire poet Geoffrey Allerton.
The show is a sensational showcase of spoken word –a chance to see John perform material both classic and brand new as he delves into his vast back catalogue, as well as his prolific collection of new work, all read from his trademark battered notebooks, delivered in John’s legendary, rapid fire style and iconic Salford drawl. Combine this John’s hilarious observations, gags and off the wall chat and it adds up to the chance to see a living legend at the top of his game.
As we enter 2018, John Cooper Clarke is as relevant and vibrant as ever, and his influence just as visible on pop culture. His influence can also be heard in the satirical and keen social observations of artists such as Plan B and the Arctic Monkeys. Alex Turner, frontman of the Artic Monkeys cites him as a huge inspiration and this was highlighted by the band’s cover of JCC’s I Wanna Be Yours on their critically acclaimed fifth studio album ‘AM’. UK rapper Plan B featured John’s poetry in his directorial film debut ‘Ill Manors’ – their duet Pity The Plight appears in the movie and on the films hit soundtrack.
These collaborations mean that John has been involved in 2 global number 1 albums in the last few years.
As well as his regular TV appearances on the likes of Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Would I Lie To You and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, John also host 6 Music shows and his own BBC Radio 4 Show “John Cooper Clarke Live at the BBC”.
Dr John Cooper Clarke recently announced the first anthology of his work, a unique 3CD/DVD bookset collection of his work ‘Anthologia’. Released through Sony on 16 October 2015 this includes an expansive archive of poems from Evidently Chickentown, I Wanna Be Yours and live performances from the Manchester Ritz and Hulme Playhouse.
The one-off collection truly encompasses Cooper Clarke’s wicked humour, originality and his mastery of the spoken word in a career spanning five decades.
22 November Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Tickets go on general sale 10am Friday 8th December and will be available from www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051