Bradley Taylor has been appointed as Birmingham's new poet laureate, a role he will hold for two years. The 28-year-old Poetry on Demand performer expressed his excitement, stating that this position allows him to "shout and celebrate the city that I love even more than I already do."
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Taylor is recognized for his ability to create impromptu poems at festivals, parks, and various events. He previously wrote a poem for Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. Discussing the significance of his role, Taylor highlighted Birmingham's rich literary and artistic heritage, citing influences such as Benjamin Zephaniah and Casey Bailey, along with musicians like Ozzy Osbourne and Ruby Turner.
In addition to performing Poetry on Demand with his typewriter throughout the city, Taylor plans to collaborate with Birmingham Libraries and represent the city on two nationwide tours. He began his spontaneous poetry routine in 2021 and has since performed at notable events including the Hay Festival and the Verve Poetry Festival. Recently, he read his poem, "By Order of the People," at the Birmingham premiere of the film Peaky Blinders, celebrating both the characters and the city.