What makes a great poet in the modern age? A good poem is an ineffable art; it can touch emotions we didn’t know existed and convey sentiments we can’t quite express. That the new Birmingham poet laureate, Bradley Taylor, can do so on the fly makes him only more impressive.
Since 2021, he has been hauling his typewriter everywhere from weddings and festivals to bookshops and his local park to perform ‘Poetry on Demand’—in which he writes bespoke, one-off poems for strangers based on a subject of their own choosing. But this is far from Bradley’s only accolade.
The 28-year-old also won the Roundhouse Poetry Slam in 2024, released his debut collection ‘You Missed The Best Part’ in 2025, and went on a nationwide tour in 2026. In between all that, he also hosts Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s poetry night, ‘Piece of Work’.
Birmingham Poet Laureate
Born and bred in the Second City, Bradley is now the new Poet Laureate for Birmingham for the next two years (2026 to 2028). As the city’s 25th Poet Laureate, he replaces Ayan Aden and will not only aim to raise the profile of poetry across the city, but also represent its diverse communities and inspire others to pick up a pen.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to be stepping into the role of Birmingham Poet Laureate – a position that allows me to love, care and spotlight the city that I have known all my life,” said Bradley Taylor. “Over the course of two years, I will be focusing on celebrating Birmingham arts as well as what we can do to ensure they thrive and survive.”
To catch Bradley performing in person, an inauguration event, as part of Birmingham Literature Festival, will be held at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Sunday, October 11. He’ll be joined by the newly appointed Young Poet Laureate, Hala Qamar, as well as outgoing Poets Laureate, Ayan Ayden and Japmeh Kaur Gujral.
Bradley will next perform an already sold-out show at Birmingham’s Glee Club on Friday, November 20, but he’ll be back at the Hare & Hounds in April 2027. Fans should also keep an eye out for his second poetry collection, which will be released next year, in conjunction with another UK-wide tour.
To learn more about Bradley Taylor, head here.
