John Cooper Clarke will return to Salford for the UK’s largest annual festival of poetry, performance and spoken word.
The punk poet, known as the ‘bard of Salford’, will take centre stage when the 10th edition of the BBC’s Contains Strong Language comes to the city for the first time next month.
The festival will run from 24 to 27 September at the BBC’s home in the North, as part of celebrations marking Salford’s centenary.
Cooper Clarke’s homecoming catches the eye in an exceptional line-up containing some of the UK’s most celebrated poets, performers and broadcasters.
The Higher Broughton-born poet will be joined by Jackie Kay, Joelle Taylor, Len Pennie, Jason Allen-Paisant, Liz Berry, Owen Sheers, Alice Oswald, Testament, Andrew McMillan and Toria Garbutt, alongside rising talent from Salford and across the UK.
“Contains Strong Language… of course it does,” John Cooper Clarke said.
“Strong language and the city of Salford are a universally recognised double act and this year – in the tradition of great Salfordian names such as Graham Nash, Albert Finney and Mark E Smith – I will be in-house and face to face with current Poet Laureate Mr Simon Armitage … am I worthy? We’ll find out on Saturday 26 September.”
The festival will have a strong local focus, bringing Salford and Manchester artists together with leading names from across the UK and beyond.
Activities include BBC Radio Club projects in schools, collaborations with Salford Youth Zone, animations created by Manchester Metropolitan University students and workshops designed to inspire the next generation of writers and performers.
Tickets have gone on sale today, ahead of the eagerly-awaited festival next month.
Contains Strong Language Director Sue Roberts added: “As Contains Strong Language celebrates its tenth birthday, bringing the festival to Salford during the city’s landmark centenary year is a privilege. Over the past decade, the festival has shown that poetry and spoken word have a unique power to connect people, spark conversations and help us make sense of an ever-changing world.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the National Poetry Centre and this year’s festival brings together an extraordinary group of poets from across the UK and around the globe, alongside a rich programme of free events designed to inspire audiences of all ages.
“Whether you are a lifelong poetry lover or discovering spoken word for the first time, there is something here for everyone.”
Salford has become a hub for some of the UK’s most ambitious broadcasting, journalism and creative production.
The festival takes place as the BBC marks 15 years in Salford, celebrating the move that helped transform Media City into one of the UK’s most significant creative centres.
BBC Head of the North of England Heidi Dawson said: “Bringing the UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival to the North West is a huge milestone for both Contains Strong Language and for the city of Salford.
“This year’s festival comes at a special moment as we celebrate 100 years of Salford, 15 years of the BBC in Salford and 10 years of Contains Strong Language. It’s a chance to showcase exciting new voices, connect with audiences across the region and celebrate the creativity that continues to thrive here.
“Contains Strong Language will now be part of that story, recognising the remarkable legacy that’s been built in Salford and helping inspire the next generation of creative talent.”
Tickets for the BBC’s Contains Strong Language festival are on sale now, with more information available here.
