Spoken Word, Poetry

Loud Poets

with Tom Bird, EmmaClaire Brightlyn, Ben Macpherson & Mike Yuill

(Fri 6 Dec: 7:30pm)

Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional: Loud Poets continues to prove that spoken word offers something for everyone.

Tom Bird (they/them) is a Dundee-based writer and poet, and performer in poetry-music duo 2 Stoned Birds. Their spoken word poetry often delves into human nature, neurodivergence and trans identity with warm honesty and sometimes fantastical hope. In 2022, they were the recipient of the Creative Non-Fiction award and overall winner award at the SMHAF Writing Competition. In 2023, Tom won the title of East Coast Champion at the Loud Poets Slam East Coast Heat. This year their poetry film Creature That Breathes was exhibited at Neuk Collective’s members exhibition in Edinburgh, Pittenweem Arts Festival, and will be displayed at Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival, with their pamphlet of the same name released winter 2024.

EmmaClaire Brightlyn grew up in Canada to Scottish parents, leaving her with two passports, two National Insurance numbers, and some ever-shifting vowel placements. She has had a day job telling stories and playing with swords for the past 20 years, and is only now getting to really live the dream: be a mum and share poems. Ever grateful to the New Mothers Writing Circle and I Am Loud Poets for welcoming her in, dusting her off, and giving her the kick in the butt to play with her words.

Ben Macpherson is a Nottingham based writer, performer and theatre maker. His work encompasses plays, poems and prose, and each carries his signature playfulness. Ben’s credits include BBC Radio 2, 4 extra and Local radio as well as live shows that have toured the country. He is also a director of Nottingham Poetry Festival. His debut poetry book Serious Nonsense for Terribly Grown-Up People was published in 2023 by Big White Shed with his second collection due out in autumn 2024.

Mike Yuill is an Edinburgh based performance poet who focuses on often bittersweet poetry, revolving around love, heartbreak and perseverance in a world that can feel increasingly isolating. Having started performing his poems two years ago at Loud Poets' own open mic, he has been featured at various nights around the city and is now being published in Ross Wilcock's Poetry Experiment's Poetry Anthology. His own illustrated collection will be published through Typewronger this winter.

“Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.” - Corr Blimey

“Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.” - Shane Koyczan

“There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.” - Scotsman