Previous Phrased & Confused

'Which would you save if your house was on fire? Your books or your records?' In 2004 we made it our mission to find out, so we put our heads together and created an explosive combination of spoken words and music and then set out on the road with that very question.
There was a lot of debate as audiences around the country told us what they thought about music, words, our event and everything in between.

The Tour

The tour line-up consisted of: writer Patrick Neate (author of Where You're At and winner of the Whitbread Prize for 12 Bar Blues), DJ and recording artist Charlie Dark] (founder of Blacktronica and member of attica blues) and musician Earl Zinger (recording artist for K7! a.k.a. Rob Gallagher, founder & lead singer of Galliano) alongside local guest writers. The evening alternated between short monologues, performance pieces and DJ sets. Different from a straight gig and unlike any other poetry reading it was an interactive performance that allowed you to freely dip in and out of the show, drink and discuss.

The Workshop

In the afternoons prior to the show we invited you to come and dabble in music-words. If you fancied yourself as a poet, rapper, MC, storyteller, author, songwriter or just felt like unleashing a creative pen then we were there to help. The artists, experienced workshoppers and keyed up from the amount of blue M and Ms on the Phrased & Confused rider, led the charge to create writing with a music slant. They shared hints and tips and even the stage later on, as those who were up to the task got to perform their afternoon's work to that evenings Phrased & Confused audience.

The Research

With our first Phased & confused outing, we wanted to get music fans along to it, we love music, and we love poetry and were convinced that there were people like us all around the country who love poetry, but have never been to a reading in all their lives. So we thought that we'd have a go at putting on a live literature gig that had all you would expect from a music gig - great sound, good lights and a really relaxed environment. People came in their droves, telling us all about themselves, what they like and don't like and what they thought of our event. And so, the Phrased & Confused approach, marrying great words with top tunes and giving them all the polish you'd expect from a live gig, a war was born.

Here's what some people said

"A great evening. The writing was personal, about human experience that was easily shared with the audience. This type of evening is enjoyable, funny and inspiring. Thanks!"

"great to see something different, from people sharing love of music, DJing, lyrics, poetry"

"Met some new cats who like music and writing"

"Phrased & Confused brought together music and words yet also accepted and recognised that words and music work separately. Too many people forget how powerful words can be"

"I liked everything, good mixture, please come back!"

"Different & creative 10/10"