One of Manchester’s longest running spoken word events, Verbose, returns on Monday 23rd February 2026 at the Kings Arms in Salford.

Introducing our headliners…

Kieren King is a Manchester-based spoken word artist with 20 years of performance experience. He has performed at venues and festivals across the UK and Europe, including Glastonbury and Kendal Calling, and for organisations including Amnesty International and Music Without Borders.

Kieren was one of the hosts of Bang Said The Gun: Manchester and the creative mind behind the acclaimed spoken word nights Slamchester, Evidently and the Word War Slams.

Kieren is a Great Northern slam champion and a four-time National Slam finalist.

He was commissioned by Guy Garvey of Elbow to curate a spoken word event as part of his Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre. Additionally, he was commissioned by Salford Reds Rugby League to write and record a poem celebrating their appearance in the Super League Grand Final.

His debut collection Spit & Sawdust was released in October 2025.

TOO MUCH or t.m/o

Conceptually brilliant, technically ridiculous, and punk driven, TOO MUCH or t.m/o is a self-described poet, painter, nightmare, film director, and fibroid advocate.

Doing “spoken word, but meaty,” in the last year she has directed an autobiographical spoken word body horror murder mystery musical (what?). Political, personal, surreal and controlled, she is an artist that has learned to alchemise power from the pain by leaning into the contradictory. The bone shaking poems you know her for have got flesh to them now.

She has a catalogue of solo performances, festivals, features, films, podcasts, music and publications so extensive that to give them all their due would hit the description character limit.

To enter the draw for an open mic slot, please email verbosemanchester@gmail.com between 1st and 6th February.