Dr John Cooper Clarke with Special Guest

Schedule

Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom | Swansea, WA

Advertisement
Poet; Tv & Radio Presenter; Cultural Commentator
Literary phenomenon John Cooper Clarke is a British cult hero. Known as the 'Godfather of Punk Poetry' and the original people's poet, John's cultural influence spans literature, music and fashion. From creating some of the most iconic poetry of the modern era, including "I Wanna Be Yours" (recently celebrating over 3 billion streams in its incarnation as a hit record by the Arctic Monkeys) to sharing his life story through his 140k selling memoir of the same name.
The recent release of his new best-selling poetry collection "WHAT" which is full of John's much-loved sardonic wit and hilarious ponderings on modern life. WHAT reached number 4 in the Sunday Times bestseller list.
John is referenced as a major influence not just by the Arctic Monkeys but also by artists across the globe including, The Sleaford Mods and Plan B. Whilst his legendary number "Evidently Chickentown" plays out the penultimate episode of The Sopranos. Watching John Cooper Clarke perform is an opportunity to see a living legend at the top of his game.
John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the late 1970s. Captivating audiences with his unique poetry and delivery style, he clawed his way up from working mens' clubs and cabaret venues in his native Salford and Manchester, to become one of the most prolific figures in punk. His work, as it grew in popularity, was put to music by legendary producer Martin Hannett and a collection of Mancunian icons including Buzzcocks' Peter Shelley and The Durutti Column's Vini Reilly. Seminal tracks such as Beasley St and Evidently Chickentown featured on his hit album Snap, Crackle and Bop, establishing John as one of the most important artists of the Punk era.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom, Swansea, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Swansea Grand Theatre

Host or Publisher Swansea Grand Theatre

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Swansea

Saturday Family Workshops
Sat, 09 May at 11:00 am Saturday Family Workshops

Bellevue Way

WORKSHOPS ART
SWANSEA - Saturday 9th May 2026 - Little Rays Bump to Baby & Children's Shopping Event
Sat, 09 May at 02:30 pm SWANSEA - Saturday 9th May 2026 - Little Rays Bump to Baby & Children's Shopping Event

Morriston Leisure Centre

SHOPPING TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Ibiza Classical - Swansea
Sat, 09 May at 05:30 pm Ibiza Classical - Swansea

The Patti Swansea

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jethro Tull in Swansea
Sat, 09 May at 06:30 pm Jethro Tull in Swansea

Brangwyn Hall

CONCERTS MUSIC
Saturday Night Comedy - 9th May
Sat, 09 May at 07:30 pm Saturday Night Comedy - 9th May

Problematic Pub Comedy Club

COMEDY
Live Music @ Sessions
Sat, 09 May at 07:30 pm Live Music @ Sessions

Castle Square, Swansea

MUSIC LIVE-MUSIC
Krafty Kuts and A-Skillz @ Hippos
Sat, 09 May at 08:00 pm Krafty Kuts and A-Skillz @ Hippos

207 High Street, SA1 1PE Swansea, United Kingdom

ENTERTAINMENT PARTIES
Mumbles Southern  League race
Sun, 10 May at 09:00 am Mumbles Southern League race

Mumbles Seafront

SPORTS
TT Swansea Palace Taster Thursdays
Thu, 27 Mar at 09:00 am TT Swansea Palace Taster Thursdays

Tramshed Tech Palace Swansea

ART THEATRE
Evening Beginners Wood Carving
Wed, 14 Jan at 06:00 pm Evening Beginners Wood Carving

Swansea Community Workshops

ART WORKSHOPS
Urban Arts 50+ Creative Focus Art Class
Wed, 11 Mar at 01:30 pm Urban Arts 50+ Creative Focus Art Class

Urban HQ

ART WORKSHOPS
JOE WEBB TRIO @Arts Wing, GRAND THEATRE
Wed, 15 Apr at 07:00 pm JOE WEBB TRIO @Arts Wing, GRAND THEATRE

Swansea Grand Theatre

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Shoop Shoop Show - The Cher Collection
Wed, 15 Apr at 07:00 pm The Shoop Shoop Show - The Cher Collection

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Red Hot Riot - SWANSEA
Wed, 15 Apr at 07:30 pm Red Hot Riot - SWANSEA

The Bunkhouse Bar and Music Venue

MUSIC ART
James B Partridge - Primary School Bangers
Thu, 16 Apr at 07:00 pm James B Partridge - Primary School Bangers

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom

ART THEATRE
Pedair - T\u0177 Tawe, Abertawe\/Swansea
Fri, 17 Apr at 07:00 pm Pedair - Tŷ Tawe, Abertawe/Swansea

Tŷ Tawe

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Grown Up Paint Along at The National Waterfront Museum - Full Moon
Fri, 17 Apr at 07:15 pm Grown Up Paint Along at The National Waterfront Museum - Full Moon

Swansea Waterfront Museum

ART FINE-ARTS
The National Waterfront Museum Family Paint Along - Underwater Turtle
Sat, 18 Apr at 10:30 am The National Waterfront Museum Family Paint Along - Underwater Turtle

National Waterfront Museum

ART FINE-ARTS
Speak Easy Welsh Cafe
Sat, 18 Apr at 11:00 am Speak Easy Welsh Cafe

210 High Street, SA1 1PE Swansea, United Kingdom

EXHIBITIONS ART
Shakespeare Okuni - A Twist Of Rotten Silk
Sat, 18 Apr at 02:00 pm Shakespeare Okuni - A Twist Of Rotten Silk

58 Newton Road, SA3 4BQ

ART THEATRE

What's Happening Next in Swansea?

Discover Swansea Events