Kae Tempest

Born in South-East London, Kae Tempest began their career under the name Kate Tempest. The recipient of many awards and accolades (Sunday Times, 2013 Ted Hughes Award, Costa Book Award, BRIT Award, and named Next Generation Poet by the Poetry Book Society, a once-a-decade accolade), Kae Tempest is a poet of uncertainty who explores the torments of our modern societies. Their previous album The Book of Traps and Lessons, produced by Rick Rubin, was released in 2019. The Line is a Curve is their fifth album. To invite Kae Tempest to close the 76th edition in the Cour d’honneur is to recognise that words and emotions can change the world and to give them the place that is rightfully theirs.

Portrait of Kae Tempest © Wolfgang Tillmans