The Word Army marches.. quietly. Yep, we got the technology, we got the guile so we went on a covert intelligence gathering operation of the highest sophistication. It was smoothly carried out and perfectly conceived, we dipped below radar and left no tracks. We were as invisible as air and shapeless like water and any rumours that it was just Write out Loud (WoL) with recording equipment are enemy propaganda. Alright, so we took a camera and a camcorder but it was to record our performances (hey, the cops bought the excuse so don’t question it).
Yes, we’ve been back to what is becoming one of our regular haunts Dead Good Poets in Liverpool. This was their monthly Open mic night and reflects WoL’s philosophy as it is open to anyone, whether they are seasoned pro’s or nervous microphone virgins you can get up and do your thing, (if you’re really lucky or give us some dosh we’ll film it). WoL wants more events like this please. As usual we went mob handed with our comedy duo Paul Blackburn and Nat Clare on the flank, our contemporary poetess Abi acting as the point man, the street poet in the jacket Scott Devon in the rear (nasty) with poetry skirmishers the Clays, scouting ahead and Dangerous Dave Morgan directing manoeuvres. The night was packed full of action and belly laughs (and we got them all on film).
The Clays were first up and performed back to back sets, Sandy giving us her mix of politic observation and cheeky housewife with John Clay following it up with his cleverly crafted page poetry. Dave gave them his usual quirky stuff to great acclaim. Abi softened them up with some emotional poems that tug straight at the heart strings and Scott Devon dived in to the breach his high impact street verse that takes no prisoners. Scott seemed to be sticking to his motto that if you can’t keep up he’ll leave you behind and he certainly left a few. But the real stars of the night were Paul and Nat, (Who might get promoted to Corporal if they keep this up). Paul gave us his take on the world of the average idiot and told us about the secret policeman in his head who is his subconscious stalker, it is very funny but I’m glad he’s on our side folks. This was the set up and Nat knocked the crowd for six, (well nuked ‘em really). Nat told us about his one (and possibly only visit to Todmorden) or as Nat put it, Satan’s summer retreat. The half man, half comic, half poet, three quarters wordsmith, two fifths fashion guru did what he always does, rock. And with that revelation that left the property market of Todmorden shaking the word army’s mission was complete, we came, we saw (and filmed) and we certainly conquered the bar. The op complete the word army slunk back into the night like ninja’s with invisibility cloaks and special stealth training from Father Christmas (anyone still buying this??).
Dead Good Poet’s is a top night full of quality performers, if you aint been get down there, we’ll be filming so we’ll know if you were AWOL.
The word army will march again, be warned.

Scott Devon will be performing at The Urbis in Manchester on the 22nd of June taking a WoL team with him and details of WoL’s first podcast event will follow soon.