St George's Bristol

The late, great anarchic visionary Benjamin Zephaniah is in the spotlight for Lyrafest’s flagship event. Celebrating his dub poetical works with performances from Brummie Laureate Casey Bailey alongside recollections from friends and family on the Brixton Riots, Peaky Blinders and his historic OBE snubbing. There’ll never be another like him, rest in power! This special Bristol tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah will celebrate his extraordinary work and enduring legacy. The event will feature readings of Zephaniah’s iconic poems by renowned figures in UK poetry, including his 'Poem for St Pauls' performed in Bristol in 1983 for the BBC, as well as talks, personal stories and reflections from Benjamin’s friends and family members. Hosted by Professor Shawn Sobers.

Sell out warning! Lyrafest presents a sensational reading and book signing from the crowd-crowned Poet Laureate of Twitter. Brian Bilston’s viral online verse and pithy humour took a 140 character mallet to the literary mould, ushering in a quiet, unintentional revolution in contemporary poetry consumption. Sometimes referred to as the Banksy of poetry, Brian Bilston has generated a huge social media following of more than 500,000 loyal fans, drawn to his witty, powerful, and accessible work. This show will see him reading a selection of much beloved poems from across his bestselling collections, while showcasing new poems destined to take their place in books to come.