Verbose MCR

One of Manchester’s longest running spoken word events, Verbose, returns on Monday 23rd February 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.

Over the years Verbose has hosted writers who have since gone on to win local, national and international awards for their work or feature on national radio and beyond. A night that offers any audience a chance to see an incredible array of talent month in, month out.

Introducing our headliners for February!

Kieren King is a Manchester-based spoken word artist with 20 years of performance experience. In that time, 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. During the Edinburgh Fringe run of Stand Up and Slam, he was undefeated in a competition pitting poets against stand-up comedians.

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 – a video that received over 100,000 views across social media.

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 cut into her performance time, so without any further ado we would like to introduce you to TOO MUCH (t.m/o)

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

Tickets are pay what you can from the link

Verbose: Monday 23rd February 2026

Kings Arms, Bloom Street Salford 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Find us on Instagram and Facebook at @verbosemcr