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The Byline Festival 2025 will be at Keele University from 11th to 13th July, and European Movement Staffordshire will be there setting out its campaign stall and talking to festival goers. But come on folks! Even if we weren't going to be there a Byline Festival on our doorstep is just too good to miss. And this year the organisers are offering EM Staffordshire members and supporters a 20% discount off ticket prices.
Founded by Stephen Colegrave and Peter Jukes in 2017 in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum and the rise of disinformation, Byline Festival is a celebration for like minded people searching for real conversation, connection and ideas. With a tagline "Dance, Discuss, Laugh and Change the World" Byline Festival is a carnival of journalism, talks on the big issues of the day, comedy, art, film and music.
This year the theme is Defending Democracy and Truth and is in partnership with Byline Times.
Key speakers include Carole Cadwalladr, Naz Shah MP, Dawn Butler MP, Alexander Hall Hall, Nazir Afzal, Lord Victor Adebowale, Annette Dittert, Heidi Cuda, Peter Oborne, James Bloodworth, Hardeep Matharu, Nafeez Ahmed and Peter Geoghegan.
Local writer, Lisa Blower will be talking about her recent project – 100 Books From The Potteries – looking at forgotten local voices, local arts organisation Urban Wilderness will be showcasing their community art projects, local poets and musicians will be performing in the Chapters Café and we will be dancing the night away to nu-marching Band, Kilne.
Rosie Holt will present the Bad Press Awards and be reading her new play Churchill’s Urinal and Kate Raworth is bringing her Doughnut Economic Circus to the festival.
The workshop programme includes How to Adopt A Billionaire and the opportunity to write a protest poem.
Asif Kapadia is showing his thought-provoking film, 2073 and taking part in a Q&A afterwards.
Poetry and music is performed all day and there is a jazz comedy cabaret on Friday night and there are bands every night including an All Star Band put together by Neal X, and DJ Smutty on the decks will make sure you dance the night away.
Talk venue topics include:
The above are just some of the speakers, performers and events. For more see the Byline Festival Website from where you can also book your ticket.
If you are a member or signed up supporter of European Movement Staffordshire you can also get a 20% discount off the ticket price. You should have received an email from us (sent out on 14th May) with the discount code which you need to provide when booking the tickets. If you can't find our email or have lost the code, please contact us giving the email address on which you normally receive our email notices.
