Poetry & Performance

Poets at the top of their game who’ll appear include Michael Ondaatje, Paul Muldoon, Liz Lochhead, Gerald Murnane, Jenni Fagan, Roger McGough, Hollie McNish, Andrew McMillan, Jay Bernard, Salena Godden, and Lemn Sissay. First collections from Vanessa Kisuule, and Iona Lee are not to be missed, as well as a celebration of the 10^th Edwin Morgan Poetry Award.

Scots poetry is in rude health, with the fabulous Len Pennie’s bestselling Poyums and Shane Strachan’s DWAMS blowing in strongly from the North East. And in a special event, the English language work of the late Aonghus Dubh (‘Black Angus’) will be reflected upon by Colin Bramwell and Gerda Stevenson.

Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie publishes – astonishingly – her first full-length collection in Scots this year. In celebration of the culmination of her Makar term, we are thrilled to present Lone Tree, an entirely unique commission of her poems interpreted and set to music by award-winning experimental composer, David Paul Jones.

Poetry and music are in harmony elsewhere in the programme, as Transcendent Sound brings together virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie and award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus in a unique, magical event. In My Mind There Is a Room sees Mull Historical Society’s Colin MacIntyre set a full album of Scottish writers’ work to music, with live readings, and the wonderful Rachel Sermanni joins us for an evening of songs and creativity.

And we’re extremely excited that Push the Boat Out festival will host a special edition of their Open Mic Night, Rock the Boat, in the Spiegeltent. Why not sign up and share your own poetry - go on, we’d love to hear it!