Byline Festival 24-27 August; "the Spirit of '68"
Dance, Discuss, Laugh and Change The World with Byline Festival and Pussy Riot, Hugh Grant, Alexei Sayle, Gary Lineker, Hardeep Singh Kohli, John Cleese, Badly Drawn Boy, DJ Nihal, The Vapors, Andy Hamilton, Rhoda Dakar, Tom Hingley, June Sarpong, The Blow Monkeys, Bonnie Greer, The Priscillas and hundreds more...
24-27 August, Pippingford Park, Nutley E. Sussex, TN22 3HW (East Grinstead national rail).
Tickets (incl. free camping/parking), live updates etc: bylinefestival.com glamping available.
This is the second year of the alternative gathering set up in response to the "election" of Trump and concerning developments like fake news, alternative truth, Brexit and elections interference from Cambridge Analytica etc. Byline Festival is similar to the original Woodstock vibes, helping to change the attitudes of the globe.
Although the event is multi-faceted, the organisers (50% female) wanted a greater sense of purpose than a commercial music festival, niche literary festival etc, and to break out of the middle class comfort zone of many of these events.
Byline Festival brings together the best independent and investigative journalists, campaigners, activists, experts and politicians to tackle the big issues.
But this is not a conference in a wood.
It is authentically festive with many bands and comedians that want to change the world while entertaining alongside international DJs, Rap battles, theatre, art, circus, bars, poetry, creating workshops, relaxation, cocktails - something for all the family. Unique, intellectual and spontaneous, set in a forest, total escape from Dystopia.
There's The Lying Field immersive theatre, with the Foolish People, about truth and lies. plus open-mic sessions on top of an old Routemaster bus and the Campfire of Vanities.
Fun And Games... There are numerous family activities. The House of Fairy Tales is bringing their Media Planet Adventure and News Room with daily shows created by children for their parents. Outdoor activities include rock climbing with experienced instructors and games in the forest run by Byline Festival's Games Master.
Love And Peace... The Woodland Spa will provide a wide range of spa treatments including hot stone massages, reflexology and deep tissue massages led by a team of fully qualified local therapists.
A wander through to The Gallery in the Trees will provide a scenic atmosphere, including photojournalism hanging from branches of trees in the middle of the forest. Frontline Club will recreate its famous bar on-site (there are also forest bars and an array of independent food stalls)
The Bad Press Awards are returning and will be presented by John Cleese. They highlight the worst of the press that has been responsible for the problems that we face. (Good luck with ploughing through that mountain of entries!)
June Sarpong will speak on the ‘Representation of the People’ panel on 25th August, the publication date of her book ‘The Power of Women.’ which will be stocked in the bookshop run by The Idler, where June will also do a signing. One of many panels (not just the organisers, 50% of the panel participants are also female) covering the issues of NOW.
Everyone at the festival is helping create a Bill Of Wrongs to be presented at the opening of Parliament, developing a written constitution for the country.
Probably one of the least surreal things at Westminster these days.
Byline Festival is set to be one of the most escapist "I Was There" moments of 2018.
Additional words; Caffy St Luce
Comments