Dr John Cooper Clarke to perform at this year’s Southport Comedy Festival

Literary phenomenon, cult hero and ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry” Dr John Cooper Clark is set to perform at this year’s Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI for one night only.

John will be performing his brand-new live show on Wednesday 15^th October 2025 at Southport Comedy Festival. The show promises to be packed with classic verse, new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat and the unmistakable swagger that’s made him a legend.

From the stages of the ’70s punk scene—sharing bills with Joy Division, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash — to the pages of the UK school curriculum, Clarke’s influence is undeniable. His iconic I Wanna Be Yours, famously reimagined by Arctic Monkeys, has racked up over a billion streams, while Evidently Chickentown made its mark on The Sopranos.

This is a rare chance to see one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists at his bold and brilliant best.

Tickets for Dr John Cooper Clarke go on sale at 10am on Friday 11^th April 2025

John is 9th name to be announced for this year’s 17-day event with a stellar line up to include returning favourites Jason Byrne, Jimeoin and Rich Hall, plus Ardal O’ Hanlon, Deidre O’Kane, Mark Steel, Omid Djalili, Chris McCausland, with more shows to be announced over the next few weeks.

The 14th annual Southport Comedy Festival will take place from 3rd to 19th October 2025. The entire festival will be staged for a fifth year in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show. 

Find out more and book tickets on the Southport Comedy Festival website.

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