Verbose MCR

PRESS RELEASE: VERBOSE MONDAY 29th June 2026, KINGS ARMS SALFORD, 7.30PM

One of Manchester’s longest running spoken word events, Verbose, returns on Monday 29th June 2026 at the Kings Arms.

Verbose has a proud history of bringing together a vibrant mix of live literature from poetry, prose and everything in between. Verbose welcomes new talent to the open mic alongside established writers and performers wanting to showcase new material, giving audiences the chance to hear work that is on its way to be published or perhaps feature at festivals including Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe and many more.

Introducing our headliners for June!

David Okodeh

David Okodeh is an 18-year-old poet, actor and writer from Greater Manchester. Since winning The Poetry Place Slam at 16, he has since had poetry published in the British Library, gone on to win The Wirral Poetry Festival slam and has been a commissioned poet for The National Trust, BBC Film and The Imperial War Museum. Having performed at both the National Theatre and the West End, his writing taps into his youthful lens and Black-British perspective of today’s world.

Ty’rone Haughton

Ty’rone (tuh- rone) Haughton is a poet, arts leader and campaigner whose work explores identity, social justice, and lived experience. Born in Jamaica and based in Leicester, he is the founder of Literati Arts and currently serves as Associate Artistic Director at Apples and Snakes.

An exponent of spoken word, Ty’rone is known for blending powerful storytelling with activism. His acclaimed poetry show Made You Look challenges perceptions and celebrates Black identity. He has been commissioned by organisations such as The Trussell Trust, Deliveroo, and the Police Violence Reduction Network, and is working with Art Not Evidence to campaign against the use of rap lyrics as legal evidence. His work has been studied and performed at the University of Vienna, and he has collaborated with The Poetry Society, BBC: Contains Strong Language, and The Birmingham Opera Company.

A long-time producer and organiser of live poetry events and development projects, Ty’rone plays a key role in nurturing new voices and growing the UK’s spoken word scene. Named one of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Future Figures, he also uses his lived experience of growing up in care to advise fostering services, schools, and charities including Become and Barnardo’s.

Through poetry, advocacy, and leadership, Ty’rone Haughton is driving cultural and systemic change.

Photo credit – Paul Stringer

To enter the draw for a limited open mic slot, please email us on verbosemanchester@gmail.com between 1st and 6th June

Tickets are pay what you can from the link in our bio

Verbose: Monday 29th June 2026

Kings Arms, Bloom Street Salford 7.30pm to 9.30pm

(doors open 7.15, show starts 7.30)

Find us on Instagram and Facebook at @verbosemcr