Bristol is a city known for its vibrant culture, with a strong artistic community that has produced some of the country’s most renowned writers, musicians, and poets. When it comes to poetry, Bristol has a rich tradition, with poets of different styles and backgrounds adding to the fabric of the city’s artistic landscape. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best poets Bristol has to offer.
Vanessa Kisuule
Vanessa Kisuule is a poet, performer, and educator based in Bristol. Born in London but raised in Bristol, Vanessa has won numerous awards for her work, including the Hammer and Tongue National Slam Champion in 2014 and the prestigious Mixcloud Curates prize in 2017. Her poems are smart, lyrical, and often tackle social justice issues, making her an important voice in the city’s spoken word scene. She is also the author of the poetry collection “Joyriding the Storm” and has performed her work internationally, earning her a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting poets.
Stephen Lightbown
Stephen Lightbown is a poet and performer with a reputation for powerful, raw, and emotive poetry that speaks to the shared experiences of humanity. He has performed at countless festivals and events across the UK and beyond and has been published in a range of anthologies and magazines. Stephen is also a longtime member of Bristol’s poetry community and has been instrumental in helping to set up and run a range of poetry events, including Bristol’s Flash Slam and the popular Poetry Can reading series.
Malaika Kegode
Malaika Kegode is a poet, storyteller, and performer who grew up in Bristol. She has been writing poetry since she was a child and has quickly become one of the city’s most popular spoken word artists. Her poems explore themes of love, loss, identity, and empowerment, and she often performs her work with a strong sense of rhythm and musicality. Malaika is also a producer and event organizer, co-founding Milk Poetry, a monthly poetry night in Bristol that has become a staple of the city’s cultural scene.
Tom Sastry
Tom Sastry is a poet and editor based in Bristol who has quickly gained a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting new voices. He has been published in a range of journals and magazines and won numerous awards for his work, including the Arts Foundation Fellowship for Poetry in 2019. Tom’s poetry is vivid, surreal, and often explores the intersections between the personal and the political. He has also worked as an editor and mentor to a range of up-and-coming poets in the city, helping to shape the future of Bristol’s poetry scene.
Holly Corfield Carr
Holly Corfield Carr is a writer, poet, and researcher based in Bristol who has published two full-length collections of poetry to critical acclaim. She has won numerous prizes for her work, including the Frieze Writer’s Prize, the Poetry London Competition, and the Michael Marks Award for Poetry Pamphlets. Holly’s poetry is characterized by its playful use of language and the way it disrupts traditional forms and structures, challenging readers to experience language in new and unexpected ways. She is also a keen collaborator, working with artists, musicians, and other writers to create groundbreaking and experimental works.
These are just a few of the best poets Bristol has to offer, but they represent the wide range of styles and perspectives that make up the city’s rich poetry community. Whether you’re a fan of raw, emotive spoken word or abstract, experimental poetry, there is sure to be a poet in Bristol who speaks to you. So why not check out one of the city’s many poetry events or pick up a collection by one of these talented writers and see what Bristol’s poetry scene has to offer?