John Cooper Clarke to become 'first arena poet'

Poetry "phenomenon" John Cooper Clarke is to become the first poet to headline the UK's largest indoor arena.

The performer, 75, is set to take to the stage at Manchester's Co-Op Live on 29 March 2025 as part of the three dates "in celebration of World Poetry Day" eight days earlier, organisers said.

Dr Cooper Clarke, who became known as the Bard of Salford after finding fame in as a "punk poet" in the late 1970s, will also play London Palladium and Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.

Promoter Live Nation said it was believed his Manchester date would see him become "the first-ever poet to headline an arena here in the UK".

The promoter said he would be joined by three "wonderfully talented" poets for the dates, with Linkton Kwesi Johnson joining him in Manchester, John Agard in London and Henry Normal in Nottingham.

"Fans can expect a one-of-a-kind journey through poetry by one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists," a representative said.

"Performing classic numbers including Chickentown and Beasley Street as well as brand new material from the new collection WHAT, John will bring his unique perspective and incredible work to his biggest audiences yet."

They said Dr Cooper Clarke, who received an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford in 2013, had also "joined forces" with the Co-op "to celebrate its unique partnership with the UK’s largest live entertainment arena".

The resulting poem, Proper Sound, paid tribute to "the city of Manchester, its people and the venue", they said.

They added that it was delivered in his "signature punk style" and contained the lyric: "A town is not a proper town without the old Co-op around."

Tickets for the dates go on sale on 18 October.

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