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21 Sep 2025

St George's Hall

Words First Showcase

We celebrated the most talented emerging poets and spoken word artists from across the UK.

Past event

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Contains Strong Language and BBC Upload presented the Words First Talent Showcase, celebrating the most talented emerging poets and spoken word artists from across the UK.

This event introduced, Rechella Ketedzi, Imogen Grover, Rayhanah Rowe, Tariq Brown, Charlotte Cropper, Jenny Pilkington, Rhian Jade and Prav Jandu.

Credits
BBC Contains Strong Language was a partnership between the BBC, Word Up North and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. It was supported by Arts Council England.

Past event

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Poet Kirsty Taylor wearing a green jacket performs using a microphone. Poet Kirsty Taylor wearing a green jacket performs using a microphone.

Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival for new writing came to Bradford for the first time.

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