SAY Owt, York's spoken word and poetry outlet, welcomes North London acoustic musician Gecko to All Saints' Church, North Street, York, on March 22.

"As heard on his debut album Volcano,Gecko combines folk music with a portion of hip-hop," says Say Owt artistic director Henry Raby. "He’s a mixture of Randy Newman and the Beastie Boys. Imagine Bob Dylan if he sang about pandas."

Gecko played his debut York gig last year, supporting Harry Baker and Chris Read on their British tour. "We fell in love with his delightful story-telling and now we’ve brought him back for a special headline show," says Raby. "We're delighted York audiences get the chance to witness this clever wordsmith for another outing of sharp lyricism.

York Press:

Gecko's artwork for his debut album Volcano

"Armed only with a simple acoustic guitar, Gecko manages to weave clever stories, playful lyrics and upbeat songs into a cheekily charming, smile-inducing set. From iPhones to pandas, the tooth fairy to libraries, Gecko deals with the big questions in little ways. From front rooms to Glastonbury, he has supported the likes of Ed Sheeran, Billy Bragg, John Hegley and Josie Long."

Support on the 7.30pm bill comes from Say Owt Slam champion Katie Greenbrown, who received the Best Performing Artist award at the 2017 York Culture Awards. For this special gig, she will be backed by a band, combining music with her well-crafted poetry and whimsical stories.

York Press:

Support act Katie Greenbrown

Looking forward to a night of music and the spoken word, Raby says: "Though we normally only programme poetry, Gecko fits neatly into the spoken-word scene. Musicians and poets have always combined their skills and Gecko’s lyrics and music are a perfect cheery evening for anyone."

Admission is £7. "All Saints' Church is a Bring Your Own Bottle venue, but we ask audiences to respect the space," says Raby.