“Bring the Noise” – A Poetry Slam Like No Other

CINCINNATI, OH – The rules of the game are changing. Def Poets Society is tearing up the traditional slam format and replacing it with something raw, electric, and undeniably loud. Introducing “Bring the Noise,” the first and only poetry slam where the judges aren’t people—they’re a decibel meter.

Set to take place in the Rec Room at Alice Bar OTR, this isn’t just a competition—it’s an experience. Inspired by the underground slams where crowd noise dictated the winner, “Bring the Noise” takes that concept to the next level. Poets won’t have to worry about judges with scorecards or personal biases—only the sheer energy of the audience will determine who takes the crown.

And this slam isn’t just about bragging rights. The winners will earn their spots on the 2026 Def Poets Society Slam Team, representing Cincinnati at the Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam, one of the biggest and most respected poetry competitions in the country.

The Format: A Cypher-Style Showdown

Unlike traditional poetry slams where poets perform on a stage, “Bring the Noise” takes things back to the roots—to the essence of hip-hop cyphers and street-corner poetry battles. The slam will unfold in the middle of a circle of onlookers, where the energy flows freely and the connection between poet and audience is unbreakable.

Each poet will step into the ring, drop their best piece, and let the audience decide their fate. A decibel meter will capture the crowd’s reaction in real-time, measuring everything from cheers and foot-stomping to snapped fingers and shouted affirmations. The louder the response, the higher the score.

At the end of each round, the poets with the biggest audience reaction will advance until one champion remains—the voice that brought the most noise.

A New Era of Slam Poetry

While traditional slams have relied on a panel of judges scoring on a 1-10 scale, “Bring the Noise” is turning the spotlight fully on the people. This shift isn’t just for the spectacle—it’s about reclaiming poetry as a communal, interactive art form.

“Poetry started in the streets, in the cyphers, in the spaces where the only validation you got was the crowd reaction,” said Nick Fury, founder of Def Poets Society. “With ‘Bring the Noise,’ we’re getting back to that. No gatekeepers, no score sheets—just the raw power of the people deciding whose words hit the hardest.”

Join the Noise

The first “Bring the Noise” slam will take place in Spring 2025 at Alice Bar OTR, kicking off what promises to be the most unpredictable, high-energy poetry competition in the city. Whether you’re a poet ready to battle, a fan of spoken word, or just someone who loves a good showdown, this is an event that cannot be missed.

Think your words have what it takes to bring the noise? Step into the circle and let the crowd decide.