About this Event
The Roundhouse Poetry Slam is the UK's leading spoken word competition and over the last 20 years has helped launch the careers of countless poets and writers.
It's not just a competition - it's a celebration of the power of words and the artists who wield them. Join us for the Liverpool heat and witness some of the most exciting voices in the UK at the start of their journeys. Plus performances from heat judges including Jess Green and Bradley Taylor.
About Our Judges
Jess Green is a BBC Slam Champion, performance poet and script writer for film, theatre, TV and podcasts. She has performed at Glastonbury, Latitude and BBC 6 Music Festival and her solo shows, Burning Books and A Self Help Guide To Being In Love With Jeremy Corbyn received 5* at the Edinburgh Fringe and on their national tours. Her latest collection, Dressed As Love was published by Burning Eye Books in 2023.
Bradley Taylor is an award-winning performance poet born and based in Birmingham. In 2024 he won the Roundhouse Poetry Slam, the night of which was the biggest poetry slam in history, and in 2025 he released his debut collection ‘You Missed The Best Part’ with Verve Poetry Press. Bradley is also the co-host of The Big Gay Poetry Night alongside M. L. Walsh, which has featured poets such as Joelle Taylor, Kandace Siobhan Walker & Sanah Ahsan. Bradley has appeared at the Hay Festival, Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Inspirational Youth Awards, on BBC News and on BBC Radio 6 Music as part of Craig Charle’s 'Class of 2024', in which Craig Charles described him as ‘A brand new voice and a fresh perspective on the art of poetry and performance’.
Third judge to be confirmed...
The top ten poets from across the country will take part in the final in the iconic Roundhouse Main Space on Thursday 9 April as part of Roundhouse Three Sixty Festival.
You can apply to take part
Deadline: 10am, Monday 19th January 2026.
The Roundhouse Poetry Slam is presented in partnership with Taylor Wessing.
The Liverpool heat is presented in collaboration with Unusual Art Sourcing Company.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Casa Bar, 29 Hope Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom
GBP 5.00
