Newcastle poetry night celebrates first anniversary

A poetry night for professional and amateur writers has celebrated its first anniversary with its biggest event to date. 

Out Of Your Head poetry night host Amy Langdown on stage | Image credit – Callum Rowe

Out Of Your Head is a monthly poetry event hosted by freelance artist, producer and writer Amy Langdown. 

The event takes place at The Cumberland Arms in Ouseburn every month. 

Langdown said: “Myself and a friend started Out Of Your Head a year ago. 

“Since then we’ve been selling out every month. 

“Every month it gets better and the community seems to get stronger. Everyone is so chuffed to hear what they need to say and get out of their head.” 

Each edition of Out Of Your Head features a different theme for invited poets to write for. Previous themes include the North East, Pride and Public & Private. 

The anniversary theme was called A Year In Verse, featuring work from all the topics covered by Out Of Your Head over the last 12 months. 

As well as a bill of invited poets, every Out Of Your Head show includes an open mic hour dedicated to up-and-coming poets who can read their own work. 

Lewis Brown was one poet who read his own work during the open mic section. 

They said: “I’ve been coming to Out Of Your Head for a while and it’s my favourite night. 

“It’s my poetry home in Newcastle. It’s got such a good crowd every time and everyone’s always coming out with the best stuff. 

“When I heard they were having a big anniversary event, I had to be there.”