The Met’s regular night showcasing emerging artists returns with an evening of music and poetry.

The electrifying sound of Bonfire Radicals is intensely creative and irresistibly fun. A danceable feast of vibrant, prog-folk music: original and traditional tunes and songs from the British Isles to the Balkans. They’re joined by The Patricias and poet Gemma Lees.

Bonfire Radicals are a high-energy folk powerhouse whose genre-defying live show is as joyful as it is explosive. Drawing on original and traditional music from across the British Isles and the Balkans, their sound fuses pounding grooves, virtuosic instrumentation, rich vocal harmonies and moments of spellbinding a cappella.

Renowned for their exhilarating stage presence, the band have been described as “dynamic and high octane” (Fatea Magazine) and “a serious powerhouse of a performance… foot-stomping and adrenalin-powered” (The Arts Desk ★★★★). Immersive, celebratory and unpredictable, their performances push boldly at the edges of folk traditions – folk music with a fearless, contemporary edge.

Their 2022 album The Space Between entered the UK Folk Charts at #13 and received widespread critical acclaim. In summer 2026, Bonfire Radicals tour with a brand new album, with the record available to buy at shows before its official release.

Photo credit Grant Harper Photography.

Gemma Lees is a Romany Gypsy, disabled and autistic performance artist, poet, facilitator and journalist. Her practise focuses on protest, advocacy and telling the stories that no one else is. Her poetry which embodies quintessential Northerness, confronts anti-Gypsism and celebrates her rich culture, has been performed in venues from tiny pubs to theatre stages, often infused with live art and comedy. She’s a frequent opinions columnist for Traveller’s Times and her poetry collection 1000 Years is available from Written Off.