Between convenience and connection: Livestreaming in spoken word poetry communities

This article presents an ethnographic study of the London spoken word community, examining how livestreamed open mic events shape communal experiences. While livestreaming spoken word poetry has received little scholarly attention, this study shows how digital platforms expanded participation across geographic boundaries and enabled new forms of access. The research, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2022), highlights both the affordances and limitations of online events. Poets valued the increased flexibility of online events, yet also reported a diminished sense of connection. Rather than viewing livestreaming as a substitute for in-person spoken word gatherings, the paper argues that its role is supplementary. The study concludes that while digital tools offer benefits, the core motivations for engaging in spoken word, such as real-time emotional resonance and shared presence, remain tied to physical spaces.