The people’s poet – British legend Dr. John Cooper Clarke will perform four New Zealand shows this April. This is a chance to witness a living legend at the top of this game!
John Cooper Clarke has spanned cultures, audiences, art forms and continents and today he is as relevant and vibrant as ever; his poetry and performance is in school syllabus’ worldwide, his effect on pop culture and music is profound, and his trademark ‘look’ continues to resonate with fashionistas.
His influence can be heard within the keen social observations of the Arctic Monkeys and Plan B. Both of these collaborations resulted in number 1 albums. The Arctic Monkeys put one of John’s best loved poems, I Wanna Be Yours, to music on their critically acclaimed A:M Album.
His 2018 world tour – including these New Zealand shows – is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat.
Opening the bill is special guest – and local writer, sailor and musician – Andrew Fagan, blasting out material from his 2018 poetry collection (including poems from the Overnight Downpour, Salt Rhythms, and Serious Latitudes volumes).
Fagan was lead singer for Wellington punk band The Ambitious Vegetables formed in ’78. He continues to write and show-off – whether it be on stage with his bands Fagan & The People, and The Mockers, or with pen in hand through is poetry and sailing books.
Plus1, 95bFM and UnderTheRadar Presents
Dr. John Cooper Clarke
With Special Guest Andrew Fagan
Saturday 21st April | Crystal Palace | Auckland
Sunday 22nd April | The Vic | Devonport
Monday 23rd April | St Peters on Willis | Wellington
Tuesday 24th April | The Piano | Christchurch
Tickets for all four shows are available now from UnderTheRadar.
Praise for John Cooper Clarke:
“John Cooper Clarke is one of Britain’s outstanding poets. His anarchic punk poetry has thrilled people for decades. Long may his slender frame and spiky top produce words and deeds that keep us on our toes and alive to the wonders of the world.” – Sir Paul McCartney
“My first encounter with Dr Clarke …I was captivated by his character and his ability to draw colourful and evocative language out of unlikely corners. That figure in the distance behind the microphone brandishing his plastic carrier bag of notebooks was, and still is, nothing short of dazzling.” – Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
“John Cooper Clarke uses words like Chuck Berry uses guitar riffs melody and anger, humour and disdain in equal measure. He’s the real deal, really funny and really caustic, the velvet voice of discontent.” – Kate Moss