Livepoetry

Livepoetry refers to poetry performed in real time before an audience, with emphasis on the oral delivery, voice, rhythm, and stage presence of the performer. It encompasses a range of practices, from formal poetry slams and competitive nights to informal open mic sessions and staged readings. The term often overlaps with spoken word and performance poetry, though livepoetry can also include improvisational or unrehearsed verse.

Origins and development: livepoetry has its roots in ancient oral traditions of storytelling and verse recitation. In the late 20th century, spoken word and slam poetry movements helped popularize live performance as a primary mode of poetic expression in the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond. The format spread through venues such as poetry clubs, universities, and cultural festivals, and later expanded online through livestreams and video platforms.

Practices and formats: common formats include timed performances, competitive scoring in slams, and collaborative or multimedia presentations. Performances often blend poetry with elements of theatre, music, and visual media. Livepoetry places a premium on voice, pacing, intonation, gesture, and audience engagement, aiming to transmit meaning and emotion as directly as the text itself.

Venues and media: live performances occur in clubs, theaters, campuses, and festivals, and are increasingly shared via livestreams and digital video, widening access beyond local audiences.

Impact and reception: livepoetry broadens access to poetry, offering space for diverse voices and community building. Debates surrounding livepoetry touch on craft versus entertainment, the risks of commercialization, and the role of performance in social and political discourse.

Notable practitioners: Anis Mojgani, Buddy Wakefield, Sarah Jones, and Saul Williams are among prominent figures associated with livepoetry and performance poetry.