Metaphors be with you – the rise of spoken word in Ipswich

You’d be forgiven for missing the rise in popularity of poetry and spoken word in Ipswich because it's been happening slowly, quietly, and in non-traditional spaces. A community-driven grassroots movement, spoken word events are largely run by passionate experts who are themselves writers and performers.

Regular spoken word events

In Ipswich, we are lucky to have three regular, monthly spoken word events: Words & Verses, Storytelling with Bards Aloud, and Word Herd. Plus, there are infrequent poetry groups from Suffolk Poetry Society and, most recently, a poetry reading at Ipswich Library featuring five emerging young writers from across the region.

Words & Verses

The first regular spoken word event to be established in Ipswich was Words & Verses, in 2012 – a free-entry show on the first Tuesday of the month at The Spread Eagle. It runs as an open mic, offering anyone who turns up and writes their name down five minutes to speak on the microphone.

Welcoming both original writing and covers, it is a radically inclusive platform for artists at all stages of development to hone their craft in front of a friendly audience. It has become so popular that, in only three hours, on average, 18 poets take the mic at each event.

Storytelling with Bards Aloud

Storytelling with Bards Aloud started up shortly after W&V, quickly cementing itself as a much-beloved addition to the cultural diary.

Held monthly on the third Tuesday of the month in the back room of The Dove, Bards Aloud prides itself on making people feel at home. Taking a more relaxed approach, they have some guest performers alongside open mic participants. All of them perform a cappella without the aid of any tech, which can feel like an easier first step for many writers sharing their work for the first time.

Word Herd

Last week, we saw the launch of ‘Word Herd’ at CHIp Art Studio on Turret Lane, a paid entry event featuring three astonishingly talented poets, all from Ipswich: Morgan, David Mustill, and Jacke Montague. Run by the new non-profit SoapBox Spoken Word CIC, this event has been launched to offer talented poets a chance to develop a longer set.

Ranging from 15 mins up to a full 45 minutes, Word Herd runs on a ticket-split basis, ensuring the poets are paid for their work and that SoapBox can continue to deliver free creative events for the local community.

Developing local artists

How we keep talent from leaving Ipswich is often discussed, but money is rarely broached. Musicians, poets, and artists always seem to be the first to be asked to work for free when a community event is planned—even when entry is charged and it is run by a commercial entity.

And yes, of course, volunteering is a beautiful thing (that not so many can afford to do these days). However, if we want to continue to develop Ipswich’s reputation and stop the brain drain, we need to value our local poets, musicians and artists with cold hard cash.

The launch of Word Herd proved that we are happy to pay an entry fee when it is being used to develop our creative people and communities. Nearly 40 people turned up on a Tuesday night to enjoy a night of original, live and local words – from 3 Ipswich poets – in an art studio that was once a warehouse. Surely a first.

This level of support is a testament to the vibrancy of the creative and cultural communities in Ipswich. It also reflects how a handful of hard-working, committed and knowledgeable artists can – through sheer persistence – create a thriving scene.

All of these events were started by people who couldn’t find the kind of gig they wanted to attend locally, so they started their own. Imagine if we all did this.

Next time you're looking for a specific event to attend locally and are dismayed to find out it doesn't exist, make it yourself. I dare you. I double dare you.