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A writer dubbed "Britain's finest performance poet" and the "bard of lockdown" is returning to Jersey this weekend with a show exploring how to find JOY in middle-age.
Ahead of Luke Wright's performance at the Jersey Arts Centre this Saturday, he shared a couple of his own reflections on creativity, social media and his idea of a great day (and night) out in Jersey with Express...
I’ve gigged in Jersey quite a few times now, and it’s always a real treat. The audiences are warm, and welcoming, that makes performing here such a joy. Jersey feels like a place where people really engage with the arts, and I think that energy keeps pulling me back.
Plus, there’s something quite special about the island—there’s this peacefulness to it, but it’s also full of life and creativity. It’s a beautiful place to return to, both for the shows and the time I get to spend exploring.
Yes, St Aubin is such a gem, and that coastal walk is one of the highlights. This time around, I’m thinking about venturing a bit more inland. My wife is coming with me this year and she loves flowers, so it’s a shame we’ve missed the orchid fields at Le Noir Pré.
Pictured: "There's this peacefulness to [Jersey], but it’s also full of life and creativity."
Maybe we’ll visit Jersey Zoo—there’s something grounding about spending time with nature, especially after a string of shows. I say all that but I’ll probably just get drunk at the Arts Centre and have a kebab.
I think the best advice I can give any poet, whether they’re in Jersey or anywhere else, is to write what truly matters to you. Don’t feel like you have to fit into any particular style or voice—poetry is at its best when it’s honest and authentic.
Also, read as widely as you can, attend local poetry events, and don’t be afraid to share your work. From my experience of working with Jersey Arts Centre, I think Jersey’s a place that nurtures creativity, so take advantage of that. Keep writing, keep experimenting, take risks with your work.
From what I’ve experienced, the cultural scene in Jersey is thriving. It might be a smaller island, but there’s no shortage of creativity here.
Pictured: "Read as widely as you can, attend local poetry events, and don’t be afraid to share your work."
I’ve discovered a tight-knit, supportive community that I think is really special. And when it comes to poetry, I’d love to meet more poets from the island. Come down on Saturday.
Social media can be a fantastic tool, especially for artists and poets. During the pandemic, when everything felt so uncertain, platforms like Twitter became a lifeline for connection. I was able to keep sharing my work and engage with an audience even when live shows weren’t possible. That said, social media has its limits, and it can be easy to get sucked into the noise.
In fact I’ve recently left Twitter for good. I can’t be a part of Elon Musk’s world anymore. But if you use it wisely, it can be a great way to reach people who might not otherwise find your work. For me, it’s about finding a balance—using it to connect, but not letting it dominate the creative process.
JOY! came about because I wanted to challenge myself. I’ve spent a lot of time writing about darker, bittersweet topics, and I thought, why not try to tackle joy? The idea of finding light and happiness, especially in middle age, intrigued me.
Of course, writing about joy can be tricky— it can come across as trite or saccharine. But I wanted to explore the complexity of it, the idea that joy can be fleeting, difficult to pin down, and all the more beautiful because of that. The show has moments of humor, introspection, and, I hope, a lot of heart.
Ah, that’s not for me to say. Come along on Saturday and make your own minds up.
Luke Wright will be performing JOY at Jersey Arts Centre on Saturday 14 September. Find out more about the show and get tickets here.
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