'‘I want to celebrate the physical space of libraries and take my work back into places that have given me so much."
A unique gig! Poet Laureate Simon Armitage with band LYR, live at Exeter Library.
LYR thrives on the unexpected. A genre-splicing supergroup of sorts, the band sets Armitage’s spoken word to intense, atmospheric musical arrangements by singer-songwriter Richard Walters and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Pearson.
LYR’s latest EP, Firm as a Rock We Stand, launched live at a sold-out Durham Cathedral, landed Performance of the Year, NE Culture Awards 2022.
Armitage’s numerous prizes include the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and an Ivor Novello Award for his song writing. He has published over a dozen poetry collections, including Magnetic Field.
Join us to launch the next stage of the Laureate’s Library Tour! Opening this show will be the winner of Exeter Library’s Commission for a Young Poet.
This event is suitable for 11+ only due to some strong language.
Event begins at 8, doors at 7:30.
Cost: Free
Accessibility Statement: The Library can be accessed via Castle Street which runs parallel to Exeter Library High Street. The Library connects directly to the Rougemont Gardens.
The Library is in close proximity to Exeter Central Station (roughly 5 minutes’ walk), Exeter Bus Station (roughly 10 minutes’ walk), and many connection bus stops on the high street.
There are five Blue Badge spaces outside the main entrance and four / five at the bottom of the slope (on Musgrave Row). These are all public Blue Badge parking spaces however and not dedicated to the library.
The are numerous car parks situated within walking distance of the building, including Guildhall Centre Parking (EX4 3HJ), John Lewis Car Park (EX4 6AH) and Princesshay Parking (EX1 1EU).
The entrance to the building is wheelchair accessible. There is a circular ramp, as well as a small set of stairs. As you enter, you walk into our foyer and café area and can continue through the building to the main library floor, children’s library, and accessible toilet. The second floor houses our quiet area. The third has our Rougemont Lounge and Balcony, and Rougemont Meeting Room. The fourth floor has the public toilets.
All floor are accessible using a set of customer stairs or a public lift. The public toilets on the top floor have four cubicles, one of which is accessible (and baby changing). The Rougemont Balcony is accessible via a small step, however we have portable wheelchair ramps that can be used to allow access.
The toilet in the children’s library is accessible and has baby changing facilities.
The library furniture and bookshelves are laid out in such a way to ensure wheelchair access throughout.