Kae Tempest
Having Spent Life Seeking: Kae Tempest in conversation with Grace Quigley
Kae Tempest reflects on the themes and ideas explored in Having Spent Life Seeking.
Drawing on a body of work spanning poetry, theatre, books and music, this conversation with Grace Quigley will consider Tempest’s distinctive creative voice and the questions that run through their work.
Kae Tempest is a recording artist, lyricist, performer, author, playwright, and poet. He has released five critically acclaimed studio albums, numerous books, plays, and poetry collections, including Brand New Ancients which saw him become the first person under forty to receive the Ted Hughes Award in 2013. For his music, Kae won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song in 2026 and 2024, following two previous nominations and a BRIT Award nomination in 2018. He has been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize twice. Kae Tempest is one of the most unique, thought-provoking, and critically acclaimed voices of his generation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Date: Friday 19 Feb 2027
Time: 9pm
Duration: 1 hour
Venue: The Main House
Part of Winter Words Festival
Curated by for the first time by award-winning poet, novelist, and current Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen, the beloved literary festival is back with an exciting line up of authors, poets, actors, broadcasters, comedians, chefs and politicians from around Scotland and further afield for a celebration of all things artistic and literary.
See more at Winter Words Festival
The Weirdos Book Club Podcast – Live
with Sara Pascoe & Cariad Lloyd, with special guest Greg McHugh
Sara Pascoe
in conversation with Michael Pedersen
Cariad Lloyd
In conversation with Hollie McNish
Val McDermid & Jo Sharp
In conversation with Nicola Meighan
Kae Tempest
In conversation with Grace Quigley
Poetry Reading Showcase for Winners of The Corbenic Poetry Path Prize
with Taylor Strickland & Marjorie Lotfi
Matt Haig
In conversation with Donna Ashworth
Cal Flyn & Amy Liptrot
In conversation with Jenny Niven
Alison Steadman
In conversation with Fiona Lindsay
Literary Lunch with The Hebridean Baker
Ayont The Thistle
A gallimaufry of poetry and prose to mark the century of Hugh MacDiarmid’s A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle
Become part of the magic!
Get priority booking on your favourite seats, discounts on must-see shows, and be the first to know of events and news from the Theatre, from just £40 a year.
Make the most of your visit…
Festival Pass
Make it a whole weekend for less with our Festival Pass, giving you discounts on 2 or more events (excluding headliner events)
Ticket Info
Find out more information about booking tickets, as well as group bookings and early bird discounts!
Plan your Visit
Take a look around to find directions, information about our venue and tips on how to make the most of your time at Winter Words Festival.