In an intimate evening in Foyles Bristol on 24 February 2015 we were treated to a mesmeric set of complimentary readings from 3 poets who will dominate the poetry scene for years to come. Opening the show in the role of the local poet was Daisy Behagg, a former long-time Bristol resident reading her Poetry Review-published, Bridport Prize-winning poems on life, love and language.

Daisy Behagg reads in Bristol

Following Daisy, Next Generation Poet 2014, Sam Willetts, took a seat on stage and delivered a wonderful performance of a number of his poems new and old. Ranging from the war on drugs to cats and Caravaggio, Willetts tantalised the audience with tasters of poems from a future collection.

Sam Willetts reads in Bristol

Closing the evening, confessional poet Melissa Lee-Houghton brought new work that expands on her last collection Beautiful Girls. Her new poems are long and arresting, taking the listener on a journey that is both harrowing and life-affirming at the same time. Lee-Houghton is an utterly unique voice on the contemporary poetry scene.

Melissa Lee-Houghton reads in Bristol