With the need to think around problems of performing in public, when you are not allowed to actually gather in public, comes the need to quickly master the technology that allows you to reach an audience.

These problems and more were defiantly met head-on and overcome during a two-hour poetry and music performance which took place last weekend.

The Feral Art Collective held an experimental public gathering and performance over Zoom on Sunday afternoon.

Many of the island’s best-known poets took part, including Janet Lees, Jackie Morrey-Grace, Valerie Miller and Stacey Astill, along with Feral organisers Georgia Lisette and Bill Strutt.

Taking advantages of the borderless nature of technology, they also welcomed guest poets from across the Atlantic, as well as UK performance poet and writer Mark Grist.

The task of seamlessly hosting a multitude of poets, along with guest spots from musicians Theresa McNulty, Mark E. Moon and Seb Fosdal, at times proved too much for the hosts, with one or two technical gremlins causing some of the sound to disappear at odd occasions.

However, the online concert proved to be a success, with the organisers making plans for further online shows.

’Despite all the problems that we faced, I think it went very well,’ said Georgia.

’It cheered people up, gathered people together and inspired us to get writing again, which was the main idea.

’I think we had 18 different people take part, including a friend, of mine, Joe Corderi, from America and Mark Grist, who was brilliant.’