The Poets vs MCs community had to tackle sexism and homophobia on Saturday, turning a confrontational moment into a learning opportunity.

Now in its 12th year, the annual contest between performance poetry and rap MCs is an established highlight of Brighton’s cultural calendar, and invited London performers down to battle artforms and cities.

The Londoners brought new energy, with Joelle Taylor’s incendiary performance of Last Poet Standing, Ollie O’Neill’s thoughtful reflection on queerness in the media, Lisa Lore’s fusion of poetry and soul, and Mas Law’s high-energy beat-matching challenge.

However, a thoughtless slur from battle rapper Tenchoo crossed a line, and the crowd booed him off. On returning, he apologized, and in Jon Clark’s Agony Aunt improv challenge first had to speak from a lesbian’s point of view, then offered earnestly rhymed recommendations of acupuncture and yoga to help a depression sufferer.

Michael Parker drew on Shakespearian insults, deadpan Robin Lawley ironically counterpointed Shakes’ enthusiastic effusions by showcasing the worst aspects of Brighton, and ConSensus and Gramski celebrated each others’ talents with mutual respect.

From the Spoken Herd’s jazz-rap fusion to Chris Parkinson’s unexpectedly joyous Beside The Seaside audience singalong, this was a celebration of linguistic inventiveness, wit and inclusiveness.

Five stars