Daytimers: Mehfil

DAYTIMERS, a collective at the heart of the re-emerging Asian Underground, presents Mehfil, their event series spotlighting and celebrating South Asian visual arts, live performance, poetry, and spoken word.

After a string of sold out shows cementing Mehfil as one of the most sought-after poetry experiences in the capital, in 2025 it looks to build on its connections and expand into ever larger venues - to share the undiluted beauty of the South Asian voice to an ever-growing audience.

On Sunday 13th July, Mehfil presents their second takeover of the Elgar Room at Royal Albert Hall spotlighting and celebrating South Asian poetry, spoken word and music - inviting along some of London's brightest names in the poetry scene.

The afternoon’s programming will be followed by a special live performance from Baluji Shrivastav OBE alongside Vishnu Vijayan and Theo Archer Lees.

There are opportunities available to perform at this event as part of their open mic slots. Mehfil will be prioritising programming performances by artists from marginalised groups. Please arrive at the venue at 1:30pm to sign up, bring one poem with you, and be prepared to provide the piece’s content warnings.

Presented by the Royal Albert Hall

This is an 18+ event