The Voice Box is immediately adjacent to The Poetry Library, reputedly the largest collection of contemporary poetry in all of Europe. As the English say, this is a very up-market locale. It's a spare postmodern room with theatrical lighting, perfect for an occasion of this kind of seriousness. They sang, rapped, danced, performed, recited, and were fully engaged, as they succeeded in engaging a mesmerized room. The space ordinarily holds 80 people, and tickets for the event were sold out weeks ago.
Poetry readings are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to attendance.
I've been to readings by hugely famous writers where half a dozen people showed up. The organizers finally brought in an extra 20 seats, but it still didn't begin to accommodate all who wanted to attend. They could have filled a much larger space, though the intimate nature of the event added to its character. The audience was unified, appreciative and wildly responsive. Secondly, the variety of their work, especially in form, demonstrates tremendous diversity and scope.