Salford-born bard John Cooper Clarke is set to become the first poet to headline the UK’s largest indoor arena.
The performer, 75, is set to take to the stage at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester on 29 March as part of the three dates revealed in his newly-announced UK tour.
Cooper Clarke was dubbed the Bard of Salford after emerging in the 1970s and penning renowned poems such as Evidently Chickentown.
He is set to perform in Manchester alongside fellow poets John Agard, Henry Normal, and Linton Kwesi Johnson.
Cooper Clarke has also written a poem highlighting the connection between Co-op and the city to mark the opening of the £450m arena.
Proper Sound, delivered in Cooper Clarke’s signature punk style, contains the lyric “A town is not a proper town without the old Co-op around”.
It has not been confirmed how many tickets will be available for Cooper Clarke’s show, which will be part of a tour that will also include dates in London and Nottingham.
Tickets go on sale on 18 October.