Byline Festival, by Byline Times is moving to Staffordshire and the festival takes place this weekend at Keele University. Readers of The Knot can use discount code LUNAR for 20% off tickets. Full line up and programme here.
The Festival was founded by Peter Jukes and Stephen Colegrave in 2017, in response to the Brexit referendum and the first election of US President, Donald Trump. Borne out of the founders’ desire to counter the rise of disinformation and its interference in democracy (something close to our hearts at The Knot too).
Since the first festival in 2017, they’ve spotlighted investigations into Cambridge Analytica, launched the “Bad Press Awards” and included performers as far ranging as poet Lemn Sisay all the way to Football Pundit Gary Lineker.
The festival comes at the right time as many people question the credibility of mainstream media. Yet at the same time, many are increasingly concerned with the crumbling trust in democracy and our public institutions, leading many to receive their information from social media and disengage in public life. This festival looks to be creating an important space to discuss what really matters as huge global events take place in our world. Thoughtful and inspiring discussion is needed more than ever.
Stephen told us that one of the reasons Keele University is a good partner is that they are the most sustainable campus in the country and the Staffordshire location makes the festival more geographically accessible to people.
Byline are keen to involve the local community and have made a good start. They have local bands; KiLNE and Ruby J performing and the Festival Cafe is featuring local poets and musicians both days. Art group Urban Wilderness, the organisation behind Longton’s Pig Parade are also part of the festival.
Orwell prize-winning journalist Carole Cadwalladr will be interviewing media personality and campaigner Carol Vorderman. MPs Naz Shah and Dawn Butler will explain what is like to be on the frontline of the information War. While Kate Raworth, who invented doughnut economics that takes the planet and humanity into account, will be running her Doughnut Economics Circus to bring her unique view of economics alive.
Journalists that have gone under cover will be recounting their experiences including James Bloodworth, who went undercover in the Manosphere and Katherine Stewart, who did the same with the American Christian right. Robbie Stamp, producer of the Hitch Hiker’s Guide To the Galaxy and Government adviser on AI will bring his AI Goose Bumps Club to the festival on Sunday to explore the limits of AI and humanity in a live experiment.
There is comedy on both nights. The first on Friday is a jazz comedy cabaret and the next a stand-up comedy night headlined by Mark Thomas. Byline Festival wouldn’t be complete without the “Bad Press Awards”, often described as a cross between the Oscars and The Bad Sex Awards, presented by Rosie Holt.
Not only does Byline Festival feel like a much needed tonic in today’s “post-truth” world of misinformation, clickbait and fear mongering. It’s also a fabulous win for Staffordshire and a festival that will bring a diverse, eclectic mix of ideas and people to the Creative County.
Very useful explanation of the Festival, how it came about and its aims, and what will be happening.