The spoken word arena will return to the festival in 2022
If you've ever been to Electric Picnic in the past, you'll be aware of just how big a role the Mindfield area plays in the festival.
Whether you want a break from the music, somewhere to chill for an hour or two, a place to catch some theatre or spoken word performances, a cooking demonstration, a fiery political debate or an interview with a musician, author or artist - you'll find it at Mindfield.
The line-up for this year's Mindfield @ Electric Picnic has just been released, with a thrilling programme of spoken word, debate, talks, podcasts, science and more.
It includes the Salon du Chat, where Miriam O’Callaghan will hosting her annual Sunday Brunch; Waterford Whispers News presenter Bill Badbody giving his satirical landlords’ TED talk; Dublin InQuirer presents: Generation Rack Rent hosted by award-winning writer and editor Lois Kapila; the Transgender Equality Network Ireland present: Lost in Translation: Disinformation and Trans Rights in Ireland hosted by Claire Beck. Other names on the bill include Blindboy, Paddy Cullivan, Leviathan hosted by David McWilliams, and Professor Luke McNeill.
The Manifesto stage will be curated by author Sinead Gleeson and will see names including Denise Chaila, God Knows Jonas, JyellowL, Derry Girls' Siobhan Sweeney chatting to comedian David O'Doherty, musicians Sorcha Richardson and Orla Gartland performing and discussing their creative processes; writer Emilie Pine, academic Emma Dabiri, Aoife Martin and William Keohane discussing writing and activism around trans issues; comedian and writer Martin Warde and singer Sharyn Ward share their stories around identity and Traveller culture, writers Jessica Traynor, Nithy Kasa and Elaine Feeney reading from their latest works, and more.
There will also be a nightly 'Africa Under Irish Skies' session on the Manifesto stage, where African artists will be joined onstage by well-known Irish artists and musicians to produce a fusion of African and Irish music, beats and tunes.
A new element of Mindfield in 2022 is the 'Human Lab' - described as "a colourful, bold and brand new art and science hub with an exciting programme that will engage the audience in cutting edge scientific topics though compelling, interactive discussions, workshops and exhibits.|
The ever-popular Ah, Hear NOW! podcast stage will feature four of the country’s most popular top ten podcasts, including The David McWilliams Podcast; The Blindboy Podcast; Hold My Drink with Charlene and Ellie; Where is My Mind? with Bressie; Stall It with Darren and Joe; Three Castles Burning with Donal Fallon; The Group Chat with Gavan Reilly, Zara King and Richard Chambers of Virgin Media News; Around The World The World in 80 Gays with Brian Kennedy and Katherine Lynch; I’m Grand, Mam with Kevin and PJ; The Substantial Meal Podcast with Justine Stafford, Martin Angolo and Dermot Ward; Chancers with Paddy Smyth and Anna Clifford; Inside Politics from The Irish Times; and Talking Bollocks with Terence Power and Calvin O'Brien; and Off the Ball sports. There’s also cracking evening entertainment with Mockie Ah's Tea Dance hosted by Candy Warhol and special guests and the Camembert Quartet do songs from TV and the Movies.
An Puball Gaeilge will be running till 11pm each night with the usual talks, theatre, podcasts and music all as Gaeilge - including music from Bonnymen and Sisterix, Ted Talks by intercounty hurler and rewilder Diarmuid Ling, along with ex-hunger striker and language activist Eoghan Mac Cormaic, and ex pop-singer cum yoga teacher cum spiritualist Jenny Ní Ruiséil talking about their discoveries along their journeys - and more.
The Word stage will brings beats, rhymes, poetry, hip-hop, grime and more, and will feature Stephen James Smith, Emmet O’Brien, The Poet Geoff, Rachel Lally, Eimer Keating, The Jealous Wall Storytellers, The Smithfield Creatives, The Circle Sessions, Darren Donohue, Jan Brierton, Ronan Ó Snodaigh, Zen Arcade and many more.
In case you've forgotten, Electric Picnic runs from Friday, September 2nd - Sunday, September 4th and headliners this year include Dermot Kennedy, Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys, Picture This, Megan Thee Stallion and Snow Patrol.
See the full listings for Mindfield below: