Bad Language: open mic spoken word ft. The Quietus’ John Doran at The Castle

Spoken word nights can have a bit of a bad reputation – and, most of the time, it’s completely and utterly correct. Undersubscribed, run down pub billiard rooms, with sessions dominated by drunken middle-aged men with no talent who chatter through other people’s performances. You won’t get any of that at Bad Language. Open mic – but always, always in demand – and with a mixed, open-minded crowd who usually stick to their four-minute top slots, the night has become one of the most important nights in Manchester’s lit community’s social calendar. If you fancy reading out some of your own work, be quick – and if not, feel free to turn up and just listen while you nurse a drink. Headlining this month is John Doran – editor of The Quietus, as well as a seasoned journo from publications such as VICE, NME, Metal Hammer & the BBC, he has recently decided to write a novel, and this reading will feature the first sentence from that soon-to-be-revered tome.

Wed 31 Jul, The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, M4 1LE, 7.30pm, FREE, @BadLanguageMcr, email badlanguagemcr@gmail.com to book a slot to read