Chris Sewart – Stage 4 Beverley Festival Poet, in association with The Philip Larkin Society
We are pleased that in 2026, in addition to his writing workshop and festival appearances, Chris will be our official Festival Poet and this has been made possible by the support of the Philip Larkin Society.
Sounds grand. So, what does that mean? Over to Chris:
‘In the weeks leading up to the festival I will be writing a trio of new poems that take inspiration from my observations of previous festivals, and that also reflect on the forthcoming festival. With such past headliners as Eliza Carthy and Roger McGough, and future headliners Simon Armitage and Jacqui Dankworth – plus all the other fantastic acts lined up – there will be no shortage of material.
I love being part of the festival and I am really looking forward to being Festival Poet. I’m so pleased that The Philip Larkin Society have supported the role, and that this continues my association with them that started back in 2019 when I won the East Riding Festival of Words poetry prize sponsored by the society. So, when this opportunity arose I gave – in the words of Philip Larkin in his poem, ‘For Sidney Bechet’ – ‘An enormous yes!’.’
Watch out for Chris’s poems on our website and social media accounts in the run up to the festival and head to the events guide for tickets for his festival performances, where some of these new poems may just make an appearance!
The Philip Larkin Society was founded in 1995 and is a national and international focus for lovers of his work: as poet, novelist, jazz critic and librarian. The Society are proud to support Chris and his love of Larkin's poetry. To find out more about the society and membership go to http://www.philiplarkin.com . If you have an idea for a Larkin related project, then they would very much like to hear from you.
Chris is a member of The Poetry Society, The Society of Authors, and The Philip Larkin Society.
More information on Chris’s writing can be found at: The Society of Authors.
The Pre-Stage 4 Beverley Blues – 2026
by Chris Sewart
Well, I wake up in the mornin’
feel so sick down to my shoes,
the box-office is jumpin’,
I got the Stage 4 Beverley Blues.
I got the blues
I got those February Festival blues,
I better pay my dues
I got those Stage 4 Beverley Blues.
So, all the venues will be buzzin’
and rockin’ to tunes old and new,
I’ll be shakin’ my booty
at the New York Brass Band too.
And after all the events have finished
don’t go down the pub,
when you can kick back with a beer or two,
at the Late-Night Festival Club
I got the blues
I got those syncopation blues,
don’t step on my blue suede shoes
(is the King here?) I got those Stage 4 Beverley Blues.
Now, I’ve been to Glastonbury,
Download and Tribfest too,
but I tell ya Stage 4 Beverley,
I keep a coming back to you…
and it’s not just about the line-ups
the fantastic acts you choose,
no, it’s also because you continue to have…
spotless festival loos!
I got the blues
those sweet jelly-roll blues,
have you heard the news?
I got those Stage 4 Beverley Blues.
Everybody’s clamoring
For Beverley Community Choir
plus Dankworth, Cambo and Bilston,
this festival’s on fire!
And I’m inspired by all this eclectic stuff
I’ll be attending the Harmony Singing Class,
I’m told I can hold a pretty good note…
more like a cat clawing broken glass.
I got those blues
I got those convoluted, rhyming blues,
I hope I’ve lit your fuse?
Now you can get the Stage 4 Beverley Blues.
So, finally,
as you navigate the upcoming festival,
just you remember this sad old blues boy
who’s got those…
Amazing headliners
and talented songwriters,
spoken word
that’s what I’ve heard.
Tickets I’ll be jugglin’
to see the Saltburn Smugglin’,
Nagasaka and Killen
will get us all chillin’.
The Horizon Stage,
that’s gonna engage,
from poetry to page
it’s all the rage.
Danny Bradley guitar pluckin’
Charlotte Carrivick bluegrass truckin’,
Gary Stewarts Graceland singin’,
Sea Shanty swingin’…
Yes, I think you know by now,
I got those blues,
I got those,
Stage 4 Beverley Blues.
