The Newsworks Speakeasy returned to MAD//Fest even bigger in 2024, with a three-day celebration of the very best of cultural journalism. Check out our highlights videos below, as well as a photo gallery and stories from the event.
Full agenda
Wake up with a morning coffee and grab your wristband if you’re a VIP.
Our first session of the week creates an oasis of calm among the MAD//Fest hustle and bustle. Teacher Joseph Evling-Taylor will lead a breathwork taster class accompanied by pianist Karim Kamar.
Speakers:
Joseph Evling-Taylor
breathwork leader
Karim Kamar
pianist
Mail columnist Bryony Gordon will sit down with Dr Alex George to talk all things health and wellbeing. Expect to hear about their shared love of running, being sober, top tips to feeling good, as well as their mission to change perceptions around mental health and to open more honest conversations.
Speakers:
Bryony Gordon (host)
columnist and author
Daily Mail
Dr. Alex George
Young Mental Health Ambassador, author and ‘Stompcast’ podcast presenter
The Telegraph’s beauty director Sonia Haria will host a beauty session with top TV makeup artist Bryony Blake. The pair will discuss makeup and skincare, while Bryony gives one lucky audience member an on-stage makeover. You’ll hear about building confidence using beauty products, behind the scenes gossip on celebrity makeup and how to do your own glow-up at high street prices.
Speakers:
Sonia Haria (host)
beauty director
The Telegraph
Bryony Blake
TV makeup artist
SunSports’ Sandra Brobbey will host an exclusive chat with Rachel Daly and Bethany England, discussing the highs, lows, drama and dedication going into being a top sportsperson. They’ll also discuss what success looks like, what the future holds for them and the Lionesses, as well as predictions for upcoming tournaments such as the men’s Euros in Germany, which will play on a big screen after the panel.
Speakers:
Sandra Brobbey
(host)
sports reporter
SunSport
Bethany England
footballer
England and Tottenham Hotspur
Rachel Daly
footballer
England and Aston Villa
Join us for pizza, drinks and a live screening of a crucial second-round match from Euro 2024.
Wake up with a morning coffee and grab your wristband if you’re a VIP.
Our esteemed panel of top food and drink journalists are on hand to guide you through their favourite nibbles and tipples. Attendees will not only pick up some handy tips from our panel but will also enjoy food and wine samples to try during the session.
Speakers
Claire Eaton-Rutter (host)
journalist
Gizzi Erskine
chef and food writer
Grace Dent
restaurant critic and podcaster
Guardian
Jimi Famurewa
restaurant critic
Evening Standard
Rob Buckhaven
drinks editor
Metro
With unparalleled knowledge, wit, and behind the scenes gossip from Westminster, some of Britain’s most well-connected political journalists will discuss the fast-moving political landscape on the eve of the general election. Our panel will unpack the polls, the parties on the rise and fall, as well as those politicians on the way out.
Speakers:
Alison Phillips (host)
journalist and commentator
Kevin Maguire
associate editor
Mirror
Kevin Schofield
political editor
HuffPost
Catherine Bohart
comedian
Join us for cute cocktails and cool beats from DJ Emma.
DJ Emma
Wake up with a morning coffee and grab your wristband if you’re a VIP.
Day three kicks off with a lively session dedicated to the rough and tumble of modern dating. Our expert panellists will share the best stories they’ve encountered, what makes them ick or stick and their advice for lonely hearts looking for love.
Speakers:
Emma-Louise Boynton (host)
‘Sex Talks’ founder
Anna Williamson
dating agent
‘Celebs Go Dating’
Katie Strick
‘Love Stories’
podcast host
Evening Standard
Pete Wicks
TV personality
Sally Land
agony aunt and ‘Dear Deidre’ columnist
The Sun
Thursday afternoon is party time with an exclusive performance from soul-pop artist Grace Carter, one of British music’s most exciting rising talents and fresh from Glastonbury. Grace first found prominence supporting acts such as Dua Lipa and Rag’N’Bone Man before headling two tours of the UK and Europe in 2018 and 2019. Her latest EP ‘A Little Lost, A Little Found’ came out last year.
Speaker:
Grace Carter
singer
*Doors to the Newsworks Speakeasy will open 15 minutes before each session. Everyone’s welcome at the Speakeasy, but VIP wristband holders have priority entrance. Sessions are first come, first served.
How to find us
Highlights from the Speakeasy
Speakeasy gallery
Latest stories from the Speakeasy
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