Darren Poyzer
English born, of Welsh & Irish heritage, but his soul resides in Scotland :-)
"Darren is one of the most infectiously good natured performers I've seen in 35 years in the business"
- Henry Normal (Baby Cow Productions / award winning writer, producer, poet and comedian)
Since his debut outing supporting the late great inspirational poet Adrian Mitchell in a room above a Greater Manchester pub in 1986, Darren Poyzer has performed solo and in a variety of acoustic line-ups, alongside many great contemporaries to wide and outstanding acclaim. Since then he's earned support and touring credits alongside a wide a range of artistes, stars and mavericks ranging from The Saw Doctors to Steve Coogan, Llloyd Cole to Eddi Reader, Hazel O'Connor to Hawkwind, from The Tiger Lillies to John Cooper Clarke.
"I still recall vividly starting out, my very first gig, blagging 3 songs and making it through thanks to the decency of a few good people. You can't underestimate the value of support early in a career, or forget the role that those people played in helping you through. Playwright Kevin Fegan, songwriter George Borowski and poet / writer Henry Normal in particular were my great inspirations."
Raised on comedy, performance poetry and an understanding family, Darren turns the angst of a Thatcher-era teenager into a burst of musical theatre. His songs, coloured by punk and driven by biting satire, cross borders, boundaries, ideologies and decades.
"I performed regularly around Manchester for a number of years, including some 'Legendary Manchester Busker' events. My peers at that time, earning their early career stars and scars, were the likes of Caroline Aherne, Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Lemn Sissay, John Bramwell, and Dave Gormon"
Darren's desire to write, entertain and be embraced as a charming story-teller has always been strong; he is a passioniate and powerful contemporary singer songwriter who has taken a happy-go-friendly independent road to success.
"I feel truly humbled by people who have created and shared live music with me; I genuinely feel that collectively those who deliver original music and art are people who make an outstanding contribution to culture and community spirit"
Working as a special needs music teacher, youth worker and community music leader has given Darren's songs, stories and performance a new edge and vitality.
"My work with young and old people, those with mental health challenges and special needs, has proved to be life changing both on a personal and an artistic level. Making music accessible to all people, and hopefully enabling them to find something in my songs, is my greatest challenge."
Darren has played at festivals and events all over the UK, including Edinburgh Fringe, Glastonbury and The Acoustic Festival of Britain.
An ongoing list of famous and celebrated artistes whom Darren has performed as invited special guest with includes:
Darren has also appeared at many notable festivals and events:
- Glastonbury Festival x 2
- Edinburgh Festival
- Acoustic Festival of Britain x 2
- International Guitar Festival of Britain x2
- On tour across Texas USA x 2
- Manchester International Festival
- Bradford Festival
- Raise Your Banners Festival
- Buxton Fringe Festival
- Adur Festival
- Glastonwick Festival
- Chorlton Arts Festival
- Independence Festival, Leeds
- Legendary Manchester Busker
- Inter-Action Disability Arts, Milton Keynes
- Paddington International Poetry Festival
- Glossop Folk and Roots Festival
- Nantwich Folk & Roots Festival
- Wigan One World Festival
- Lift Global Music Festival
I really appreciate it, d x
