Jane founded this forum mainly with regard to what is now called Live Poetry, a broader term for what was called Performance Poetry / Spoken Word etc. I don't like terminology much either, but would be interested in people saying who their favourite readers are.

I guess we are still going to be considering two areas in this thread, though I don't mind if they blend and merge:

- who are the best spoken word artists around in the UK at the moment (those who a few years back would have been called performance poets - and, yes, I agree with the change in terminology)

- who are your favourite readers in British poetry now - the ones who make the most of a reading situation and make their poetry work in a live situation?

Answers to either or both welcome...

Spoken worders
Ventriloquist
Inua Ellams
Hannah Silva
Polar Bear (Steve Camden)


Readers
Luke Kennard
Daljit Nagra
Joe Dunthorne
Ross Sutherland
Sean Bonney
Alice Oswald


Christ, that's really male-dominated isn't it...

Caroline Bird - heard her for the second time the other day and she's fantastic
Clare Pollard
Francesca Beard
Julia Copus

Spoken worders

Chloe Poems
Sophia Blackwell
AF Harrold
Thick Richard (actually two poets working as a double act)
Steve Larkin
Rosie Lugosi
Jem Rolls


Readers

Jean Sprackland
Matthew Hollis
Paul Farley
Julia Copus
Simon Armitage
Andy Brown
Luke Kennard
Jackie Kay
James Fenton (as long as he doesn't overdo his intros)
Penelope Shuttle

I'm quite surprised to be putting Penelope on the list, because I've never particularly been a fan of hers on the page. But having seen her read a couple of times, most recently at StAnza, she really does know how to work her poems in a live context.

Like Roddy, I agree with the term "spoken word artists" - I think it's a much clearer description than "performance poets", which has anyway become a pejorative term in many circles. Most of the spoken worders I've mentioned draw heavily on aspects of the cabaret tradition, and I think the term "spoken word artists" helps to acknowledge that background.

The other value in getting away from the term "performance poets" is that all live poetry requires some element of "performance" - how else does any engagement with the audience occur? Big sinners in this regard that I've seen recently include Jamie McKendrick, who was so off-hand and self-deprecating at one reading I saw that it felt (perversely) rather arrogant. Don Paterson ought to be brilliant, given his voice, but he often rushes past the end of poems and doesn't project enough, almost as if he's a bit embarassed to be up there.

Best spoken worders would definitely include Jem Rolls and Chloe Poems. I'm not sure of readers. I can't think of any who've knocked me back as much as those two performers. I have favourite 'readings' I've been to, but often they are favourites for other reasons. Because I know or like the poet, for instance, or because of peripheral events, i.e. what I did before or after. ;)

Besides, my opinions can change every time I hear someone read. So I wouldn't like to name anyone in case they're rubbish next time I hear them.

Btw, some of these names so far have astonished me. Some of them would be in my Worst Readers list ... !

In no particular order except to say Sinead Morrisey was fantastic when I saw her, audience were rapt.

Sinead Morrisey
Annie Freud
Catherine Smith
Daljit Nagra
Jo Bell
Tom Raworth (it shouldn't work but it does)


Spoken Word
A F Harold
Bros Grim
Kate Fox

oh, peter finch is a great reader/performer

Rather than add to lists, I prefer to address the issue of what it is that good readers/performers do that less good readers don't.

Some of the best readings of poetry as poetry I've heard have been given by actors, professionals of the spoken word. They do it, I believe, by making every word count, by giving each phrase its appropriate weight, by varying amplitude, pitch and rate of reading. They can also, and very importantly, assess instantaneously the response of an audience, and react accordingly. They make eye contact, sweep the room, move a bit, make a limited (non-distracting) range of gestures.

There are some poets who can do some of this, but very few who can do it all. On the other hand, hearing the poet's unique voice, their personal interpretation of the words they've written, is something I want to hear. Even the dry stick voice of Eliot, or the pomposity of Dylan Thomas, adds something to my enjoyment of their work. But some poets, let's be frank, are shite at reading their own or anyone else's work.

As ever, not so good at answering my own questions.

I think there are various reasons to enjoy readers. There are poor readers who are still fascinating because of their work or their personality or their engaging eccentricity.

Then there are people whose voices I love. When I was thinking of who to namecheck here, I realised that, though I like X's poetry, I most like her voice - it's not a fancying her kind of thing - she just has a lovely voice! Better not include her...

Anyway, here are the live poets who I enjoy the best (I've stuck to UK poets with books out) - a combination of reading well, good work and personality:

Matthew Caley
Greta Stoddart
Matthew Welton
Chris McCabe
Jen Hadfield
Tim Turnbull
Tim Wells*
Annie Freud
Sarah Corbett**
Richard Price

*I've heard Tim read more than any other poet - probably about 70 or 80 times as we are close friends and have toured in the US together twice. He still surprises me sometimes, as at a recent Betsey event, when he was top notch. Like so many poets, he's on best form when he's got new work to read and is keen.

**whose books I had read and quite liked until I saw her read - she's one of those poets who really lights up her poetry - very good reader, due another book.

I should probably include Edwin Morgan in my list - I saw some fabulous readings by him in the 80s and 90s, but he's too poorly to read now.

MacCaig was astounding too. I was pleased to have seen two readings by him where he didn't stick to his repertoire of favourites - one where he had picked up the wrong folder on the way to an EUPS reading (always wonder if it was a fib and he just wanted to read some different poems) and once when he read for the Classics society and read poems on classical themes, especially stuff from the 50s.

Can't say I'm often very impressed by performance poets. Chloe Poems & Rosie Lugosi are OK; but most performers leave me distinctly underwhelmed. Thick Richard I thought were rubbish, actually. I get really annoyed by the sing-songy, rhymey stuff. A lot of it seems like the poetic equivalent of lads & lasses with guitars singing ever-so sensitive lyrics that have been done better. Or they're trying too hard to be funny and "communicate" with an audience.

"Spoken-word art" would be a good thing if it actually stretched the envelope a bit. Most of the stuff we get up here in Manchester does nothing of the kind.

I make an exception for John Cooper Clarke & Linton Kwesi Johnson.

I saw Alan Fisher read and thought he was great, and Geraldine Monk is a very interesting, musical reader (rather like her poems). As is Peter Finch. Chris McCabe I'd agree with too.

Barry MacSweeney was an extraordinary reader. Hugely charming, and at the same time terrifying.

I went to two memorable readings in Cúirt in Galway a few years ago, one by CA Duffy and the other by the much-maligned Billy Collins. I thought they were both excellent, and they complemented each other perfectly.

Mark Doty (on another Cúirt visit) was excellent too. He read a blackly comic poem about a scary emergency landing and was delighted when it drew laughter (he told us later that American audiences never laughed at it; might be a number of reason for that).

Always enjoy the old reliables Heaney and (on the rare occasions when he does read) Mahon. Mahon can be very funny too, his (perhaps half-serious) comment on English translations/versions was that it actually helps if you don't know the original language, gives you greater freedom.

Longley has a lovely relaxed manner and a great voice.

Muldoon is brilliant, as was Fenton the couple of times I saw him.

The old American poet Peter Kane Dufault: deep, gravelly, a real pleasure to listen to.

Alice Oswald has a beautifully clear voice.

Sinead Morrissey impressed me, also by reading without looking at her book.

The worst reader I encountered (he shall be nameless) announced at the start that he didn't like giving readings. I wanted to shout: 'then shut the fu*k up' (he's grown up now and is much better).

Few spoken word artists have impressed me much. I saw a number spoken word artists at Luke Wright’s poetry bus during the Edinburgh Festival, but most of them did nothing for me, I’m afraid. I enjoyed Francesca Beard’s set, but it was more stand-up comedy than anything else. I don’t know if that’s typical or not. Really good though!

I saw Henry Normal (who co-wrote with Steve Coogan) a long time ago. He was a fantastic spoken word performer. I like John Hegley. Matt Harvey is great. I’m a fan of John Cooper Clarke. Most spoken word stuff I’ve seen in Edinburgh has been very poor, but I haven’t seen all that much. Kevin Cadwallender, a Newcastle poet based in Edinburgh, is good at spoken word performance. Rab Wilson likewise. I'd echo what Mark says about Billy Collins. I'm not fond of most of his work on the page, but hearing him live was a different matter - one of the funniest evenings I've ever experienced. His comic timing is perfect.

As far as poets who read their work brilliantly, I’d go for:

WN Herbert
Mark Strand
Ciaran Carson
Richard Price
George Szirtes
Kapka Kassabova
Paul Muldoon
August Kleinzahler
Edwin Morgan

They are all great communicators. They have a sense of humour but don’t let the jokes take over from the poems. They read poetry that sounds like poetry, not prose. I can’t easily define the difference, but I can hear it when I hear those people read.

I wouldn’t want to pick out anyone who has read at the Great Grog Bar so far, as I host those evenings. Quite honestly, everyone has been really good. Some, I suppose, have been outstanding, and would go on my list above. Same with my fellow HappenStance Press poets – some of them are terrific readers – most of them, unfortunately, not as well known as they should be. But there’s time.

Oh I agree about Caroline Bird, she's pure coooool!
Greg Delanty has a grimy, whiny, lovely voice and a general air of madness & bewilderment that's very enjoyable indeed.
Pat Boran is always good for a laugh and a yummm.
Anne Stevenson started her reading by saying "I hate poetry readings" too. But then she turned her poetry reading into something else altogether, and it was magic.
Brian Turner is in a league of his own - he has the advantage over most poets by having something to say ;-)

I haven't seen too many performing poets, I confess, but The Joy of Six and Jude Simpson are both great fun. Oh, and John Hegley!

It's a pleasant activity, casting the mind back over past poetry readings, isn't it? You find you forget the dull as ditchwater ones, and only remember the ones you left thinking your life had just been changed. When poetry readings are good, they're better than anything. Of course, when they're not, they're really godawful.

I missed the first Great Grog session, but of the others I think Cheryl Follon is a terrific reader (excellent at StAnza too). Sandy Hutchison and Tom Pow are stormers - and Sandy can sing forbye.

Slightly different, that. The young poet I was talking about made it clear that he didn't like reading; didn't, in fact, want to be there, and was doing us all a great, big, grudging favour. Which is practically a capital offence as far as I'm concerned.

Forgot to mention Paul Durcan, whom I had always expected to dislike. A friend who had heard him on the radio thought he was painful to listen to. But I revised everything when I heard him for the first time (at the launch of the Penguin Book of Contemporary Irish Poetry, aeons ago now). There was plenty of pain there alright, but also great comedy.

Durcan has since written a great poem about giving a reading to an empty hall. And it is he who described that awkward indecision many poetry readings seem to call for, the uncertainty whether 'to clap weakly or weakly clap.'

Oh yes, Paul Durcan too of course!!

Oh yes Joy of Six, they do a great poetry performance, as opposed to performance poetry.
Did anybody out there see Greta Stodarts & Jean Spracklands poetry show Tilting the Mirror, I had tickets for it but unfortunately couldn't go in the end, so would be curious to know what others thought of it.

It is interesting how an audience at a Performance Poetry/ Spoken Word event tend to clap after each poem (however good or bad), whereas at your poetry reading the audience sits quietly & politely (but not very encouragingly) until the poet has finished their entire set before clapping.

When people clap after the first poem, I generally politely ask them not to, throwing in some gag about being an East coast Scot who is uncomfortable with the concept of applause.

I really like poetry readings. I go to a lot. The best reading I saw in recent years was one I helped organise. It was at The Betsey Trotwood a few months back. The room, which is very atmospheric and lit in red, was rammed full with not far off 100 people. All twelve readers kept to time, were on top form and there was a grand mix of styles. We'll be doing another of those in May.

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and new to this thread, even though it's been going for a while and I've been lurking a while too. I'd like to put in a bid for US poet Phyllis Levin as one of the best readers I've heard in a while. She has a very particular "music" and intonation that - to my parochial ears - seems characteristically US, or at least, Eastern Seaboard US. It took me a while to get used to, and I teetered on the edge of thinking her reading mannered, but her attention to rhythm, pitch, pace and how it interacted with what the line-breaks were doing on the page really won me over.

I wondered what other people think about readers from the US? I noticed someone mentioned Mark Doty, who I loved, hearing him at the Troubadour some time ago. Do you think there is a different "music" across the Atlantic? How does it manifest itself? Or is this just going to slide ridiculously into generalisations?!

I was bored almost senseless by listening to the US poet Jorie Graham once. She intoned rather than read her poetry, with great high seriousness and for an inordinate length of time, in spite of what appeared to be largely trivial and self-absorbed repetitive content.

Geoffrey Hill, who appeared to have fallen asleep during her reading, then got up and blasted us back into the real world with fantastic energy and political drive, even at his advanced age.

Welcome to the forum Meryl.

I've some points to make on this for sure, but it's late now so will return in the next day or two when I have time.

The best readers I've seen recently (excluding my friends) are Tim Turnbull and WN Herbert.

I like the way Don Paterson reads - because, not in spite of, the way he swallows the end of lines and sounds so miserable. It's charming, somehow.

Hello Joe, you lurker, you.

I'd second both of your suggestions.

I'm touring Tim's show Caligula on Ice next year.

I saw Kleinahler read at StAnza. Totally fantastic, so macabre and scary. Especially
Green Sees Things in Waves. I'll never forget it. And Anne Carson is an amazing reader.

Annie

Best reader I've seen recently was Tom Jenks, reading from his collection A Priori, at a night called The Other Room up here in Manchester.

On the page his work looks quite forbidding but his live delivery really brings the humour to the fore.

I'd say Jenks is someone whose stuff does work best in a live enviroment, or - at least - you need to have heard him read it, before you're going to be able to read it properly yerself.