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 returns to Seaford on the East Sussex coast. A word from the organisers in Seaford: A warm welcome awaits you at the Wellington Hotel for another of our popular Open Mic Poetry sessions. All are welcome to read or … Read more
Janine pops up for an open mic slot at Some-Antics, which modestly describes itself as “Leicester’s third best poetry night”. The feature poet is the marvellous Rob Gee. Some-Antics takes place on the third Friday of every month at The … Read more
Janine pops up for an open mic slot at Leicester’s Sunday afternoon poetry gig. Bodacious! organised by Dare to Diva Janine performed Bristol’s Brilliant Bus Boycott and Who’s the Refuser?
An online reading of poems from the anthology What Rough Beast: poems on Trump and Trumpism. This will include Janine reading Hallelujah President Trump, as well as other poets reading their contributions. Zoom link to follow. What Rough Beast: poems … Read more
Janine will be a poetic participant in this online event challenging mainstream narratives about mental health and ‘disorder’. This will include a showing of the video of Janine’s poem Not OK. Information and tickets for the event are available on … Read more
Janine returns to the venue where she wowed the audience at Shrewsbury Pride this year and last year. This festive evening of poetry will be hosted by the fabulous Sofia Lewis, and will include some of Shrewsbury’s excellent local poets … Read more
Attila the Stockbroker comes to Leicester As Attila’s Tory-free tour hits Leicester, Janine delivers a short warm-up set. Information and tickets here.
Poetry Scum Janine will be the headline poet at this Nottingham poetry night dedicated to platforming working-class, marginalised and activist artists and creatives. Come to the Robin Hood in Nottingham for some ranting, rhyming and revolting. Poetry Scum also includes … Read more
Janine presents this webinar for Lotus Collaborations. Expect verse for diversity, and demands to challenge discrimination.
Janine will contribute a reading to the Birmingham launch of Left Cultures 3.
Janine will be performing at Shrewsbury Pride, in the spoken word event at In Good Hands between 2 and 4pm. This is after the main march through Shrewsbury town centre. Expect poems including Stonewall Was a Riot and Pride Is … Read more
Janine contributes half an hour of poetry to this evening of anti-racist entertainment. Love Music Hate Racism
Janine will be popping up for an open mic slot at Leciester’s Run Your Tongue. A word from the organisers of Run Your Tongue We are back for another edition of Run Your Tongue – the spoken word open mic … Read more
Middle-aged Kicks live in Portslade At Railway Roots in Portslade, West Sussex, Janine and Robb Johnson will deliver a one-off performance of their acclaimed collaboration on Middle-aged Kicks. Expect some poetry too. You can download the track here for a … Read more
Soteria in the Pub Janine will be poeting in the pub (The Betsey Trotwood in Farringdon, London), in the latest in a series of Sunday afternoon events in support of the Soteria Network, campaigners for humane, non-coercive mental health services. … Read more
Janine joins the roster of artists performing at this annual labour movement shindig, which celebrates the life and ideas of Wigan born and bred Gerrard Winstanley and the 17th Century Diggers‘ (True Leveller) Movement. The full Wigan Diggers’ festival line-up: … Read more
Janine is a feature poet at the lovely Write Out Loud Sale at the Waterside Arts Centre. Expect poems from Janine’s book, Amplify.
Three months on from the previous instalment, here comes an afternoon of information and entertainment from radical mental health campaign Soteria, featuring poetry from Janine, music from Dadford and Sons, and an open mic for others to contribute their experiences, thoughts, poetry or music.
Dungeons & Drag Kings Founder Jenn Deere will be hosting the Oswestry Pride Variety Show at Attfield Theatre, featuring performances from Chester’s drag king Mr Brake Down, poet Janine Booth, drag queen Coco Canal, and more!
Janine will be pumping out the poetry on the first night of the 2024 Glastonwick Festival, returning two years after her last tour de force at the Sussex shindig. Held at Coombes Farm, Coombes Road, Lancing BN15 0RS, Glastonwick is … Read more