Mansfield poet to perform at tribute show to legendary rock singer Damo Suzuki
Mansfield poet laureate Richard C Bower has been invited to perform at a prestigious London tribute concert honouring Damo Suzuki—the revolutionary former vocalist of Can.
The event, Feel Free Energy: A Tribute to Damo Suzuki, will take place at Merton Arts Space in Wimbledon on June 28, celebrating the life and legacy of the late avant-garde legend, who passed away last year and was hailed by NME as ‘one of the greatest rock & roll singers of all time’.
Richard who was personally named as Suzuki’s favourite poet, will share the stage with an eclectic line-up of musicians and artists paying homage to the iconic frontman.
The tribute will draw an illustrious crowd, with fashion legend Alexander McQueen, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and other luminaries from music and art expected to attend.
Performers include London-based four-piece alternative rock band, Bo Ningen and a host of artists influenced by Suzuki’s boundary-breaking work with Can – a band that redefined rock music in the 1970s and inspired generations of musicians, from David Bowie to Radiohead.
For Richard, the invitation is both a personal honour and a landmark moment in his career.
He said: “Damo was a true visionary – an artist who dismantled boundaries between performance, sound, and raw emotion.
"To be called his favourite poet was humbling – to perform at his tribute, alongside such legendary figures, is a moment I’ll cherish.
"Mansfield has always been my muse and now I get to take its voice to London in the most extraordinary way.”
The event will also mark Richard’s first-ever London performance, kicking off a promotional tour for his highly anticipated new collection, Introspective Soliloquies.
Known for his powerful readings, Richard’s appearance promises to be a highlight of the evening.
As Mansfield’s UNESCO-accredited poet laureate and a member of the historic Authors’ Club (once frequented by Oscar Wilde), Richard continues to elevate the town’s cultural legacy.
His work, studied alongside Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has now found its place in yet another extraordinary setting – a testament to the universal power of his words.
He continued: “This isn’t just a gig, it’s a communion of radicals, artists, and dreamers.
"Damo taught us that art should be fearless and I’ll be carrying that energy with me on stage.”
Tickets for the tribute are available at seetickets.com/event/feel-free-energy-a-tribute-to-damo-suzuki/merton-arts-space-wimbledon-library/3401930