With an amazingly diverse mix of poetic styles, 20 performers took to the stage for three-minutes (ish!) of their original work. Introduced by MC Keety B and cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd, it was certainly an eye-opener for anyone uninitiated in the art of Slam poetry. A poetry Slam is a competitive event which breaks down the barriers between traditional poetry and other artistic genres such as stand-up comedy, hip hop, rap, theatre and performance arts.  | | Holly Barnes-Thomas |
It gives the poet the opportunity to be creative with their work. Judges give scores based on the poet's content, delivery and performance. The Solent Slam judging panel was made of BBC Radio Solent presenter Jon Cuthill, local singer-songwriter Laura Vane and professional Slam Poet Beyonder. Beyonder explained what makes a good Slam performance: "It's all bubbly - the lyricism has to be there but it's the way you project yourself and the energy you show."  | | The Solent Slam judges |
Some of the poets had attended a BBC Roots Slam Poetry workshop earlier in the week and many used what they had learned to the full. Judge Laura Vane was impressed with the performances: "There was some really good ones - I didn't think I'd see such varied performances with some music brought into some of them as well - it really opened my eyes to a lot of things."  | | Solent Slam winner, Tommy I |
There was a latex mask and military outfit worn by Darren Pickering and the solo-female performer Holly Barnes-Thomas' reciting her poem, I Like Boys. Alongside that was French poetry set to music from Jeannpy Bembwana and some impromtu lines from Luis, a volunteer from the audience. The eventual winner was Tommy I who will be joined by Luis and appear on a live slam on BBC Radio Solent. | 
