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Teesside's new topical song and spoken word festival.
Robb Johnson, The Wilsons, Joe Solo, The Young Hegelians, Grace Petrie, Bob Beagrie and collaborations with The Black Light Engine Room and AJ Garrett & Co are among the confirmed highlights at Teesside’s new political song and spoken word festival featuring a blistering blend of political / topical songwriters, musicians, poets and writers, talks on politics and music alongside art and information stalls. The day promises to be an entertaining, thought-provoking and inspiring mix of fiery rhetoric, apt music and spoken word and information.
Taking place on Saturday 23rd June in Middlesbrough, Above The Parapet Un-Convention is an extended version of the monthly ‘Above The Parapet’ nights run by Shipyard Songwriters, which are a platform for songwriters, musicians, writers and poets to perform their own work, or other peoples work that has inspired them to write on the state of society, while bringing together the people of Teesside who have been hit and hit hard by the policies of successive governments. It is run in partnership with Salford-based Un-Convention (unconventionhub.org) who are a grass-roots organisation working with independent and underground music around the globe.
At the Westgarth Social Club, the illustrious performers include Robb Johnson who is one of the finest political songwriters in the UK. His mix of political satire and wit combines observation of the everyday working class life, with rage against the hidden and not-so-hidden injuries of capitalism, with a poetic glimpse of a post-capitalist world of justice and solidarity. The Wilson’s are Billingham’s finest purveyors of working and traditional topical song with their powerful 5 part harmonies and Joe Solo returns to Teesside after a notorious show-down between audience and performer at April’s Above the Parapet night – he has a growing reputation as both a performer and raconteur, being thought-provoking, comical and punch-the-air political often in the same breath.
Teesside favourites The Young Hegelians will be headlining the festival at their last ever gig bringing their own searing blend of social commentary on (amongst other things) consumerism and Aung San Suu Ky -
the day will also include talks, stalls, art and elements of open stage alongside a special performance by AJ Garrett & Co and more, for the full programme visit www.shipyardsongwriters.com/festival.
Also, in association with Middlesbrough Literary Festival, the Reference Library will be taken over for a free afternoon with The Black Light Engine Room - Boro’s finest literary zine & performance night brings us an afternoon of spoken word with a topical boro focused theme and a special celebration for Woody Guthrie's Centenary with Woody's songs, writings and artwork showcased by local performers.
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