A Night with Out-Spoken at Southbank Centre
Words by Tanya Fevzi
On Thursday night, London’s Southbank Centre opened its doors to a collective of individuals appreciative of spoken word and live music, many dressed in long trench coats and black turtlenecks, the unofficial uniform of the artsy type. The centre’s lovely staff ushered guests away from the bar and welcomed them into Queen Elizabeth Hall’s Purcell Room, where Sam ‘Junior’ Bromfield was spinning the best in reggae, soul and R&B.
As seats filled, a cheerful Toby Campion brought the room to a listening hush to introduce the event. Out-Spoken is a resident poetry and live music night at the Southbank Centre, presented in association with Out-Spoken, a champion for diversity of voice in writing and performance. It takes place every month at the Southbank Centre's Purcell Room, and many in the audience were loyal attendees. Usually, Toby noted, the night would be hosted by poet, playwright, and author Joelle Taylor, who unfortunately couldn’t be there due to injury. Toby asked for the audience’s help in filming a ‘Get Well Soon’ video for her before welcoming the first act on stage.
Glasgow-based writer and artist Daisy Lafarge graced the stage with some new writing shaped by her experiences of chronic pain. Her poetry, rich with rose and thorn imagery, delivered moments of striking power. Daisy has a compelling presence and a voice well-suited to spoken word. She has already published two books, Paul (Granta 2021) and Lovebug (Peninsula Press 2023), and a poetry collection, Life Without Air (Granta 2020).
Ange Mlinko followed. The American poet and critic lives and teaches in Florida and writes for both the New York Review of Books and the London Review of Books. She read a series of poems inspired by nature and her life in the U.S. One poem, reflecting on the vivid pink leaves of an L.A. autumn, offered a fresh and unexpected take on seasonal change.
Dr. Leosoul was the third performer, and the first musical act. The North-West Londoner is a pianist with a taste for neosoul jazz and lo-fi blues. He has performed at venues like Ronnie Scott’s and the Royal Albert Exhibition Festival. Joined by bassist Tay Grace, drummer Johnathon La and trumpeter Sam Jenkins, he brought infectious energy and joy to the Purcell Room. His charismatic presence and laid-back humour won the room over with ease. Leosoul’s debut EP is due to be released later this year.
After a short interval, Toby returned with one of his own poems about attempting to court a dinosaur, which had the audience in fits of laughter. He then introduced the revered Pascale Petit. The French-British poet of French, Welsh, and Indian heritage performed a powerful set exploring deeply personal themes. Some pieces examined a fraught relationship between a daughter and her dying father, for which Pascale offered a thoughtful content warning. One of her final poems was a moving expression of solidarity with Gaza – a moment that resonated profoundly with many in the room. Thank you, Pascale, for using your voice to articulate the horror of the ongoing events unfolding in Palestine.
Closing the night was Canadian-born, London-based artist POESY, who took the stage with vintage glamour and emotional force. Seated at the keys, her rich contralto voice imbued each lyric with depth, transforming heartbreak into something theatrical, magnetic, and unforgettable. Even when her bassist encountered technical difficulties, POESY held the room with ease, reminding us that sometimes, the show must simply go on. Her debut EP The In-Between was released in early 2025, and she’s now working on a perfume-soaked, noir-tinged collection that turns vulnerability into spectacle.
Overall, the night was a reminder of the power of words, music, and community. Out-Spoken continues to be a vital platform for voices that challenge, comfort, and connect, and Thursday’s event was no exception.