Yes We Cant has existed in many guises over the years. We started out in the Pretty Bricks in Walsall. Once the Pandemic hit we moved online. Then we had hybrid nights. Now we have a new home, upstairs in the Lych Gate one month and online the following month. Over the years we’ve had so much fun and been able to present some amazing poets to our receptive audiences.
On Sunday we were upstairs in the Lych Gate. We had a pair of joint headliners in the shape of Rose Condo and Kieren King along with our usual assortment of open mics. When this chronicler has to chronicle it usually involves making lots of notes and taking some pictures. But Sunday… Something special happened. As is typical our open mic acts were excellent and kept the crowd entertained. And Condo and King were superb. This happens a lot because, even if we say it ourselves, we put on some decent gigs.
But Sunday… Yeah, something special happened. You can never put your finger on what “it” is. A vibe. The right amount of electricity in the air. Everyone in a matching flow state. The applause after each act went on longer than you’d expect. The laughs were bigger. The salt in the eyes more intense.
As the night closed I realised I’d made no notes and taken no pictures. I considered getting a quick snap of Rose as she closed the show. Then realised to do so would be wrong. This wasn’t a night to take notes, snap pictures and produce detailed meaningful blogs.
This was a night to sit back and take in something truly special happening, upstairs in a boozer in Wolverhampton.
If you were there you’d know what I mean. If you weren’t, come along in the Autumn.
You need to experience it for yourself.
As for a photo to accompany this. I dunno. I’ll probably stick up a picture of my cat.
Dave Pitt
8th July 2026