Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.
In this section, you will find information about gigs past and future, plus a few videos of Janine performing,
Janine has performed at hundreds of gigs around the UK, and internationally in Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Toronto, New York City, Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle NSW.
She regularly performs at music gigs as well as spoken word events; at festivals including Edinburgh, Tolpuddle, South Downs, Glastonwick, Something Else and Shambala; at trade union, Labour Party, political and campaign events; as part of the NeurodiVERSE crew; and in solidarity with strikers alongside fellow Poets on the Picket Line; and with (other) Loud Women.
Funny, biting and original.
Francesca Martinez
Janine Booth is an incredible performer – like a mature Kae Tempest her words simultaneously entertain and cut deeply into the heart of social justice, human frailty and what it means to be an ethical person in this world, while never skipping a beat.
Magdalena Ball, Compulsive Reader (New South Wales)
Janine Booth is a 1980s poet who just happens to be a 2010s poet too: her vitriol and stage-presence are, if anything, more finely-honed than they were back then (she’s put the years in, after all) and it’s great to see her winning over new audiences every time she performs. And even better, she’s not simply resurrecting past glories but continues to produce new material all the time. Highly recommended!
Russell Thompson, Apples and Snakes
A one-woman riot.
Joelle Taylor
Janine Booth brings humour to her politics. Her poetry is passionate and on point, and audiences are won over by her down to earth manner and wry witticisms. Don’t let the bastards grind you dour.
Tim Wells
Janine Booth will have you belly-laughing at her witty observations on life, then takes you to a place where you truly see through the eyes of those we often don’t, but need to see if we are to be better people. All done with the intensity and connection that only a fine and passionate poet can do.
Michael Reynolds, Passionate Tongues, Melbourne
As ever, Janine’s poetry charmed, wowed and inspired a packed venue. I’m always amazed how she gains and holds the attention of an audience who’ve come to watch loud music, and immediately turns them into fans. Love her to bits.
Cassandra Fox, Loud Women
Utterly magnificent.
Phill Jupitus
Janine Booth came to Sunday Slips and blew our mind. Her words are full of honesty and power, she welcomes communication and growth! Janine shook our souls and moved the dialogue of the night to a deeper meaning. She always has a home in Berlin at Sunday Slips. Thank You Janine Booth, from the family at FREUDIAN slip club.
Liliana Velásquez
Janine is absolutely brilliant – witty, sharp, radical, passionate, intense, one of the best performance poets around.
Attila the Stockbroker
Side splitting and hard hitting.
Oliver New, Ealing Trades Union Council
Janine Booth is one of the best spoken-word artists around and her characteristic humour, laced with biting truths and social commentary, never fails to move hearts and minds.
Bob Oram, Morning Star
Brilliant. Her poem ‘Night Tube’ is Auden-esque.
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Janine Booth performs at Apples & Snakes’ event Jawdance at Bethnal Green’s Rich Mix cinema on 25 February 2015. Featuring the poems Mostly Hating Tories, An Ode to Jeremy Hunt, The Boris Bridge, Real Rape and The Housewife’s Trial.
Women in Workers’ Liberty are holding a socialist feminist conference on Saturday 28 February in London, and as part of that are hosting a social in the evening at The Union Tavern in King’s Cross. There will be have spoken word … Read More
Janine will be performing a poetry set on the second day of the three-day Glastonwick festival. The weekend takes place at Church Farm Coombes West Sussex (North of Lancing College) BN15 RS … and features: at least 20 live musical … Read More
Come and watch Janine perform her poetry at this monthly poetry night at the lovely Tea House Theatre, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5HL. Janine performs a feature set, as does Mishi Dulwich Morath and Adele Hampton, plus open mic spots. £5 entry … Read More
South East Region Trades Union Congress Creative and Leisure Industries Committee Conference “The future of arts and culture in Britain” ** Including Workshops 1 – 6pm (followed by social event 6 – 8pm, including Janine performing poetry!) Venue: Congress House, 23-28 Great … Read More
Janine will be the feature poet at February’s Jawdance at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA. It’s a great gig in a great venue. And it’s free. Details below or here. Apples and Snakes presents JAWDANCE It’s all about … Read More
Janine will be the feature writer at February’s Loose Muse – the Poetry Society’s monthly women’s night at the Poetry Cafe, Betterton Street, Covent Garden. Janine will be performing poetry and reading extracts from her books, Guilty and Proud of … Read More
Come and enjoy an evening of poetry and spoken word from new and established poets / writers, including a five-minute slot from Janine. Poetry 7pm – 10pm Dare2bDifferent After Party 10pm-3am Tipsy Bar 20 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, London N16 7XN … Read More
Conway Hall, London Janine will be giving a presentation about London Underground during the day, and performing poetry in the evening. The organisers say: On 17 January, 2015, join us for an exciting and unconventional new event organised by people … Read More
A lunchtime poetry set from me at: Brighthelm Centre North Road BN1 1YD Brighton === A citizens’ conversation about democracy, cuts and resistance. Why does a crisis of the banking system mean that we have to have our benefits and services … Read More
The Union Tavern, 52 Lloyd Baker Street, London WC1X 9AA I will be performing alongside Attila the Stockbroker, Michelle Madsen, Tim Wells, Emily Harrison, Sam Dodd, Chip Grim & more to be confirmed. Shahrokh Zamani has been in prison in Iran since 2011, … Read More
I’ll be doing an open mic and/or slam slot at this. Come cheer me on (and enjoy the other acts too)! Tea House Theatre 139 Vauxhall Walk, SE11 5HL London Facebook event.
Two slots at the lovely, friendly, front-room-of-a-pub spoken word night at Leyton Technical, Facebook event.
KURDISH FOOD – LIVE MUSIC – STAND-UP – POETRY Institute of Education Bar – 21 November at 7pm – £5 entry – all proceeds to International Federation of Iraqi Refugees On 21 November, join the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees … Read More
A five-minue slot at the all-new spoken-word performance night in east London. Venue: Leyton Technical, 265b High Road Leyton, E10 5QH London, United Kingdom. Facebook event here.
A three-minute burst of poetry at BoxedIn, the monthly spoken word night at the BoxPark, round the corner from Shoreditch High Street station, east London.
On 23rd June 2012, Steven Simpson, a gay autistic student, was verbally abused, stripped, and his body scrawled with offensive slogans. He was then doused in tanning oil and 20-year-old Jordan Sheard set fire to his crotch with a cigarette … Read More
An open mic slot at Loose Muse women writers’ event, at the Poetry Café on Betterton Street, Covent Garden.
Performance of ‘Moods Swings’ at the fundraising event for Calais migrants in August 2014.