Polarbear wasn’t sure about appearing at the Red Pepper/Philosophy Football ‘Long Hot Summer Party’ on Friday because he reckons he’s ‘not really political’. If the left had one vote for every person who’s ever said they’re not really political at the same time as doing things that demonstrate a brighter political spark than virtually anything the parties of the left have come up with in eons, it would have won a landslide election victory years ago.
Polarbear writes poetry – or rather he performs it, which, as every half-decent versemonger, from Bob Dylan and Eminem to Roger McGough and Adrian Mitchell (who also appeared at Friday’s event), understands, is more than half the point. In doing so, he gives rhyme and reason to the lives of ordinary people – a voice to those who have historically been voiceless, if you like – and if that’s not political, socialist even, I don’t know what is.
He’s bloody good at it, too. Don’t take my word for it: make your own judgement. This is him performing Jessica, one of the poems he did on Friday.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Polarbear politics
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Polarbear is at the Purcell Room at the South Bank Centre next month with a new work
Polar Bear Tales of the CityFriday 18 July 2008 - Saturday 19 July 2008
Polarbear is one of the UK's top stars of spoken word and this event is the premiere of his new show If I Cover My Nose You Can't See Me.
A 28-year-old man is stuck in a dead end job; an 11-year-old boy is looking for answers. Fusing Polarbear's poetry with live artwork and visuals, their lives combine in a 21st century story about how things change and what we do in response.
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/calendar/productions/polar-bear-41004
Polar Bear was great and agree if this wasn't political or socialist then what is ... think I'll definitely try to catch him at the South Bank.
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