The Roundhouse Confirms New Additions For The Last Word Festival 2023

The Roundhouse’s The Last Word Festival is proud to announce a raft of new additions to its billing, having already confirmed the likes of Speakers Corners Quartet, Dizraeli, Emmeline, Facesoul, Kayo Chingonyi, Jordan Stephens, Sophie Thakur, and more.

The legendary South London collective, Speakers Corner Quartet, will be performing on the main stage celebrating their debut album ‘Further Out Than The Edge’ alongside many of the album features and long-time collaborators – ensuring a family affair vibe from start to finish.  Welcoming the most exciting names in independent music including Sampha, Kae Tempest, Tirzah, Coby Sey, Joe Armon-jones, Léa Sen, Eska Confucius Mc, Leilah, James Massiah, Lil Silva and John Glacier.

Spoken word trailblazers Apples and Snakes will be taking over The Roundhouse for a special celebration of their 40th anniversary curated with Bella Freud. The daytime events build up to an epic evening of entertainment at the All Stars Gig featuring the likes of BREIS, Inua Ellams, Joelle Taylor, Kayo Chingonyi, Roger Robinson, Yomi Ṣode and The BAC Beatbox Academy.

For the Roundhouse Poetry Slam Final, happening Thursday 1st June 2023, Liv Little (Founder of Gal-Dem) and Rachel Long (Octavia Poetry Collective for Womxn of Colour) are confirmed as judges for the prestigious event. They will join host Toby Campion in the thrilling finale of a nationwide search for next Slam Champion where 10 of the best emerging spoken-word artists aged 18 to 25 battle it out on the iconic Roundhouse main stage.

Liv Little, the founder of gal-dem, has been listed as one of the BBC’s 100 Women and recently published her first novel, Rosewater. Rachel Long, a poet and the founder of Octavia – Poetry Collective for Womxn of Colour, established at Southbank Centre in London. The collective has been supported by the likes of The Tate, BBC World Service, The Guardian, ASOS, and Hotdog Magazine.

Rising star Emmeline performs a Roundhouse Rising Presents gig and has announced support artists BINA and Tendertwin to complete an incredible lineup of music.

Other highlights previously announced include; Kayo Chingonyi hosting his new collection of poetry; Jordan Stephens in conversation with Lyrix Organix in a live podcast recording, VERSES with their unpredictable, heartfelt and hilarious spoken-word night; Sophia Thakur and #Merky Books Editor, Lemara Lindsay-Prince hosting an insightful conversation about their careers; Scottish Poet Ellen Renton will showcase ‘Within Sight’ and Cave Live Lounge will be presenting some of London’s most soulful and exciting Muslim artists.

FULL SCHEDULE

Roundhouse Poetry Slam Heats
Heat 1: Monday 22 May, 7:30pm, Studio Theatre (The Roundhouse)
Heat 2: Tuesday 23 May, 7:30pm, Studio Theatre (The Roundhouse)
Heat 3, Wednesday, 24 May, 7:30pm, Studio Theatre (The Roundhouse)
Heat 4, Thursday, 25 May, 7:30pm, (Online via Zoom)

Roundhouse Poetry Slam Final
Thursday, 1st June, Main Space

waterlog by Elliot Waloschek 
Thursday, 1st June, Studio Theatre

Speakers Corner Quartet & Friends 
Friday, 2nd June, Main Space

Animal Noises by Dizraeli
Friday, 2nd June, Studio Theatre

Apples & Snakes Takeover: Celebrating 40 years of poetry with bite
Saturday, 3 June, Main Space

Roundhouse Poetry Collective
Tuesday, 6 June, Studio Theatre

Skin Deep presents Sonic Transmissions: FACESOUL
Wednesday, 7 June, Studio Theatre

Roundhouse Film Fund Screenings
Thursday, 8 June, Studio Theatre

Transmission Roundhouse in Roundhouse Bar & Cafe
Fri 9 – Sat 10 June

Within Sight by Ellen Renton 
Friday, 9 June, Studio Theatre

Cave Live Lounge 
Saturday, 10 June, Studio Theatre

More Fiya: A Celebration of Black British Poetry, Hosted by Kayo Chingonyi    
Monday, 12 June, Studio Theatre

VERSES 
Tuesday, 13 June, Studio Theatre

Self Made Live: Sophia Thakur and Lemara Lindsay-Prince (#Merky Books) In Conversation
Wednesday, 14 June, Studio Theatre

FEM ZINE x Maureen Onwunali Launch Party
Wednesday, 14 June, Restaurant Bar & Cafe

Roundhouse Rising Presents Emmeline
Thursday, 15 June, Studio Theatre

Adult Education and Adult Entertainment x James Massiah
Friday, 16 June, Studio Theatre (2-part event)

Jordan Stephens x Lyrix Organix: Desert Island Dubplates
Saturday, 17 June, Studio Theatre

Nuclear Children by Ezra England
Sunday, 18 June, Studio Theatre

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