The Newsworks Speakeasy returns to MAD//FEST on 1–3 July 2025 for three days of the very best British cultural journalism. From food, drink and fashion to sex, dating and a sporting legend, take a look at our full agenda below.
If you’d like to join us but don’t have a ticket, apply for one of our small supply of golden MAD//FEST tickets (while stocks last!).
Full agenda
Wake up with your morning coffee, a peruse of the papers and chilled live piano from Karim Kamar.
Karim Kamar
pianist
Coffee brought to
you by Sanctuary Coffee
Join the Newsworks Speakeasy for a special live recording of the Mail’s ‘Life of Bryony’ podcast with Bryony Gordon.
Bryony will sit down with Gareth Thomas, the first Wales rugby union player to make 100 test match appearances. They’ll talk about his sporting career, his activism around HIV and LGBT+ inclusion and the importance of positive male role models for the next generation.
There will be limited space for this session. Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance to make sure you get a spot
Speakers:
Bryony Gordon
columnist and presenter of
‘Life of Bryony’
Daily Mail
Gareth Thomas
former Welsh rugby union player
Grab a drink, pull up a chair and settle down for an hour of dating disasters and bedroom mishaps with our three seasoned relationship experts.
Drawing on their experiences helping Britain’s singletons find love, the panel will explore the sometimes wonderful and often weird world of sex and dating.
Speakers:
Rylan Clark
television and radio presenter
Anna Williamson
dating agent
Celebs Go Dating
Sally Land
agony aunt and
‘Dear Deidre’ columnist
The Sun
Claire Eaton-Rutter
panel host
We keep the summer vibes going with DJ Emma on the decks and cocktails flowing at the bar.
DJ Emma
Cocktails brought to you by London Collins
Wake up with your morning coffee, a peruse of the papers and chilled live piano from Karim Kamar.
Karim Kamar
pianist
Coffee brought to
you by Sanctuary Coffee
A year ago on this very stage, we learnt the guiltiest pleasure of our food and drink connoisseurs was wings and wine. Well, their wish is our command.
Join our panellists as they discuss their favourite treats and some of the summer’s tastiest wines, all while you get your fingers mucky with some delicious wings.
Speakers
Grace Dent
restaurant critic and podcaster
The Guardian
Rob Buckhaven
drinks editor
Metro
Jimi Famurewa
author, broadcaster and journalist
Homam Ayaso
director of content
BuzzFeed,
Tasty and Seasoned
Say what you want about 2025 so far — it certainly hasn’t been short of headlines!
In our politics panel quiz show, comedian Catherine Bohart and two teams of seasoned news brand hacks will spill all the gossip from Westminster and beyond. Iconic daytime TV double act Kevin Maguire and Andrew Pierce will be up against two masters of the political scoop, Camilla Tominey and Steph Cockcroft. Which duo will come out top?
Speakers:
Catherine Bohart
comedian
Kevin Maguire
columnist
Mirror
Andrew Pierce
consultant editor
Daily Mail
Camilla Tominey
associate editor
The Telegraph
Steph Cockcroft
news editor
The Independent
We keep the summer vibes going with DJ Emma on the decks and cocktails flowing at the bar.
DJ Emma
Cocktails brought to you by London Collins
Cargo pants, flares, graphic tees — we can’t get enough of a trend. But how can we incorporate them into wardrobes that make us feel our best selves?
Join our catwalk on the last day of MAD//FEST where wellbeing is this summer’s hottest new outfit. The panel will discuss how to look good and feel great, while three budding agency fashionistas will take to the stage to talk us through their best ‘feelgood’ fit. Our Speakeasy audience’s favourite will bag another fashion retail voucher on us.
Frankie Bridge
singer, TV personality, creator of #FrankiesFaves
Ayishat Akanbi
celebrity stylist
Joe Bromley
fashion editor
The Standard
Sinead McIntyre
panel host
editor-in-chief
The Sun’s
Fabulous magazine
Reckon you’ve got a handle on the youth of today’s news habits? Head to the main Hexagon stage, where our research and insight director Heather Dansie might just surprise you using insights from Newsworks’ ‘Youth’ study.
Heather Dansie
research & insight director,
Newsworks
*Doors to the Newsworks Speakeasy will open 15 minutes before each session. Everyone’s welcome at the Speakeasy, but sessions are first come, first served.
How to find us
