The line-up for the ever-popular MindField area at Electric Picnic has been revealed.
The theme for this year's event is 'Creative States', celebrating the diversity and creativity of humans - and as such, festival-goers are promised "tough questions, inspiring answers, heated debate, huge laughs, provocative ideas, heart-breaking poetry, magnificent speeches, mind-blowing science, transcendent theatre, soaring literature and much, much more."
You'll find details on each of MindField's diverse areas below - as well as what to expect across the weekend:
The Leviathan Stage introduces a new format called ILLUMINATE! hosted by one of our sharpest provocateurs, Blindboy Boatclub of the Rubberbandits, in which some of Ireland’s leading artists give illustrated insights into their creative process and influences, including the team behind RIOT! the smash-hit cabaret; Lorna Ross of Fjordnet; artist Blaise Smith RHA; designer Annie Atkins; actor Clare Dunne; and chef Kevin Thornton among others.
Fergal Keane, the author and legendary BBC foreign correspondent, hosts another new show called My Secret Planet – a cross between the radio classics Desert Island Discs and On the Psychiatrist’s Couch that roots out the cultural influences in interviews with some of the Picnic’s most fascinating artists. The ever-popular Soundings live podcast of intriguing chats and tunes returns hosted by Lisa Hannigan and Dylan Haskins, featuring Saint Sister and special guests. Hot off the heels of his triumph at the Galway International Film Fleadh, musician and film maker Nick Kelly presents a pre-premiere of his award-winning film The Drummer and the Keeper.
Broadcaster, Miriam O’Callaghan and comedian, Al Porter team up for Miriam and Al’s Sunday Brunch – a heavy-headed, light-hearted review of the Sunday papers with special guests and music. Blindboy Boatclub will also be in the chair for two new hard-hitting FACTION debates on politics and the media with war correspondent Shona Murray, economist David McWilliams and others; which aim to burn fake news and explore how good, evidence-based information can help make better decisions.
Amnesty Hour returns with It’s Time: Repeal the 8th ahead of next year’s expected referendum with panellists Tara Flynn, Roisin Ingle, Anne Ingle, Lynn Ruane and Colm O’Gorman. Hear bold, inspiring women speak, and maybe even sing, about a changing Ireland.
There’s a special Irish Research Council discussion on the Science of Online Dating, Paddy Cullivan presents his new political satire show 26 + 6 = 1 about a future United Ireland; Tommy Graham’s History Ireland Hedge School presents two fascinating panels on the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Punk – 1977; and Salon du Chat bring us relaxed mornings of gentle informed conversation – just no small talk.
The Word Stage: Ably captained as always by the mighty Marty Mulligan from Mullingar, the Word will be jam packed with Slam Poetry. The best of Irish and UK grime and hip hop, bands, theatre and comedy. Expect blistering sets from Cain Finn, Outerclass; Brave Giant; Mango and Mathman; Mr Hovis; festival favourites Good Man Sheila, Cronin and special guests Skas Good Gravy, Movment, rappers Stone and Jezreel, Áine Tyrell and Susan O’ Neill (AKA son)
The Science Gallery Stage: Now part of a major pioneering international network of spaces where science meets the arts, Science Gallery Dublin returns to MindField hot on the heels of its record-breaking Sound Check exhibit. Join the SG team once again for a mind-bending blitz of short, sharp talks on science, technology and art. From experts in artificial intelligence to artists designing solutions to climate change, MindField will play host to discussions on the topics shaping our world, that cross boundaries and come together at Science Gallery, where ideas collide. Coder Dojo will also have daily creative workshops for young people in coding, gaming and music making.
The Theatre Stage: This year’s stage, in association with Dublin Theatre Festival, will feature a fresh and fiery mix of theatre, comedy, slam poetry and Irish dancing that gets under the muddy skin of millennial Ireland. It’s all about having an experience, finding and losing yourself (and all your mates), meeting the one you Tinder-matched with in Jimi Hendrix and maybe having a jig too. The line-up includes anarchic comedian Paul Currie, Bohemians FC’s poet in residence Lewis Kenny and Nigerian-born, Longford-raised spoken word artist Felispeaks as well as a one-woman show: Look it, Fuck it from actress Clare Dunne, The Humours of Bandon by Mags MacAuliffe, George Bush and his Children by Dick Walsh; Brownbread Mix Tape's The Definitive View; and MALAPROP's BlackCatFishMusketeer. By night, the Theatre Stage plays host to an amazing mental health-oriented programme assembled by A Lust for Life – Pieta House, winners of the 2016 Social Entrepreneurs Award, together with the Wall of Sound installation in the heart of the MindField arena.
An Puball Gaeilge: The tenth year of An Puball brings incredible artists like Seo Linn, IMLÉ, Aeons, Sapts Columbo and singers Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde who perform at 3 cabaret style events hosted by Raidió Na Life, Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí and the Gaelic online magazine Nós. Trad bands like Polca 4, The Bonny Men, Círéib and Dó Fá Dó and Super Céilí keep her lit, while the Gaelic comedians Gaeilgáirí will tickle your funny bones. We’ll have the first Irish language barbershop choir, Oireachtas Na Gaeilge present music with sean nós dancing followed by a Céilí and Tomás Ó hAodha's Irish language Ted Talks Imbolc. Fíbín present a new walkabout confessional show, while Brian Flemming will perform excerpts from his one man show 'Gis a Shot of Yer Bongos' and Seán and Niall Mac Donnchadha present their hilarious Survival Guide to Ireland.
Sure, that's plenty to be getting on with.
