Testimonials

Nathan Parker

Nathan Parker headlined our May 2022 event and returned to celebrate our fourth birthday in September that year. Nathan is the author of Words For Whatever and Words For Whenever, a series of poetry books for teenagers, as well as the The Granville Series, a crime thriller series for adults, set in Blackpool. The first two books in the Granville Series were shortlisted for Lancashire Book of the Year Award in 2019 and 2021 respectively, making him the first ever self-published author to make the shortlist.

Nathan is an author, poet and youth worker, and the unofficial poet laureate of his home town. Nathan runs By The Metre at the Bootleg Social in Blackpool, and hosted Poet On The Roof, an ongoing collaboration with Manchester’s Finest, Northern Lights HOME, Colony and Connor Michael.

Nathan reflected on his headline performances below:

To be part of a Switchblade event is to be part of something wholesome, supportive and unique, all of which is epitomised by its two wonderful hosts, Michaela and Will.

Intimate. Thoughtful. Empowering.

A collective of performers curated with precision, which balances experience with new voices, loud with gentle, humour, reflection and good old fashioned positive vibes.

And, of course, the unique element of switching up poets and poems, meaning you get to hear verses from a whole different perspective. Great fun and inspiring.

To have headlined this special show was a real privilege. In my short-time on the poetry circuit, I looked to Switchblade as an institution. When the invitation came, I knew what it meant. I’d seen the long list of previous performers, to be joining them was big.

All performers are treated with equal respect and celebration, though. This is not the headliner’s event, this is a place where all poets are supported to shine bright on the Switchblade stage and experience the warmth of the audience.

Thank you, Michaela and Will, that Sunday evening in the basement of the Peer Hat will live long in my memory 💚

Open Mic