Bangmix Stage – Spoken Word Lineup Announced
John Agard, Nkech Nwokolo and Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly all perform on Wilkswood’s outdoor stage
The Bangmix Stage always boasts the most eclectic lineup of the Wilkswood Reggae weekend. Acoustic guitars, tribal drums, dance troupes, singer-songwriters, comedians, DJs, soundsystems, poets and story-tellers all share the stage, bringing a multi-ethnic, cultural and illuminating range of acts. This year Bangmix curator, Kim West, has gathered another fine roster, including some premier spoken word acts.
John Agard
John Agard is an internationally acclaimed poet, playwright and short story writer who grew up in Guyana, where his love of language stemmed from listening to cricket commentaries on the radio as well as books. He was the first Poet in Residence for the BBC and he has been featured in numerous poetry and Windrush seasons on TV and radio.
A recipient of many prizes, including the Smarties Book Prize and the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, he was in 2021 awarded the prestigious BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s literature. John’s poems have been studied at GCSE for decades which means that thousands of intergenerational families have grown up with his words and writing. This event is brought to you in partnership with Renaissance One and is suitable for all those who like their words to sing and soar.
Nkech Nwokolo
Wilkswood Reggae hails the homecoming of its resident poet, Nkech Nwokolo. Nkech is a poet who draws on her experiences of the African diaspora and also her creativity as an illustrator, film maker and performer. She has performed at events across the UK including We Out Here (Dorset), Cornbury Music Festival (Oxfordshire) and in the creative seedbed of Berlin where she’s currently based. A keen globetrotter and regular blogger, Nkech is also the co-founder of AUBSU Writing Society.
Instagram: nkw_space
Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly
Wilkswood Reggae is blessed to announce a welcome return for Southampton’s spoken word star, Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly. Issa creates percussive, image-driven, oral soundscape poems. Impelled by an incarnation that muses off the golden age of hip hop, literary greats and esoteric philosophy, he orates stories on the spectrum of festival nights to psychotic despair.
Issa is the founder of Write a Note Poetry Open Mic (Southampton) and is part of the People’s Front Room Collective. He regularly presents the musical and poetical skills on his radar on Riverside Radio (London). He has also commissioned work for the British Arts Council and is the commissioned poet for the Southampton City of Culture 2025 bid.
“…your linguistic cosmetics gave me goosebumps.”
Eric Ngalle Charles, writer, poet, playwright and human rights activist
“Issa is a kind, talented, active voice in the poetry world. I love his ideas on poetry and peace. He works hard and keeps expanding and growing.”
Stephen John Kalinich, poet and lyricist
“Beautiful words.”
Youth (Martin Glover), record producer and musician
