Newsworks returned to MAD//FEST this year, with an even bigger Speakeasy (if that’s even possible). Taking over 93 Feet East, the eager and up-for-it crowd were treated to a three-day extravaganza of the very best in cultural journalism
Highlights from the Newsworks Speakeasy at MAD//Fest 2024
Day one: Football and feeling good
Day one kicked off with a wellness vibe, with a calming breathwork session led by teacher Joseph Evling-Taylor and pianist Karim Kamar. Then, at lunch, Daily Mail columnist Bryony Gordon sat down with Dr Alex George to talk all things health and wellbeing.
After leaping to fame in Love Island, George returned to being an A&E doctor, and realised just how much we misunderstand mental health. “We have to do something, Boris”, he told the then PM on social. Alex was promptly made our Youth Mental Health Ambassador.
The packed room was captivated by his insights on depression: “When you’re ill you want to be on your own — your brain’s instinct is to remove you from the herd. With depression your brain does the same thing because your brain is confused by mental illness.”
After an absolutely fabulous make-up masterclass with TV makeup artist Bryony Blake and The Telegraph’s beauty director Sonia Haria, we cheered our way into football with Lioness Legends Bethany England and Rachel Daly chatting with Sun Sports’ Sandra Brobbey.
Both Rachel and Bethany said how hard it was to make it in women’s football. “Everyone knows me as the chip shop girl,” said Bethany as she had to work nights in her local Barnsley chippie to fund her football passion.
The two football stars were candid about their success at the Euros. “We built up such a strong friendship,” said Rachel. “Those moments that we created, that people never saw, no-one can take away from us.” But they both agreed there is still so much to do to help the women’s game.
Day two: Feast and an election eve special
Day two got our tastebuds tingling with a ‘Feast’ of foodie and alcoholic delights. Comfort food was very much on the menu when our panel of experts were asked for their favourite dish; chef and writer Gizzi Erskine gave a shout out to “sticky meat” and Metro drinks editor Rob Buckhaven was all about “wings”.
There was lots of chat about the importance of good, honest home cooking, with Guardian critic Grace Dent telling people to keep it simple: “People put themselves through so much stress with dinner parties”.
Keeping it real was a bit of a theme, with panellists talking about the truth and honesty you get with news brand food writing versus some content on social media. And Buckhaven told a delighted audience — quaffing some fab wines he’d brought along — that the UK now has the perfect climate conditions for great sparkling wine.
With polling stations opening just a matter of hours away, day two ended with an analysis of the election. Our expert panel didn’t hold back. “Sunak surrounded himself with friends and nodding dogs. That always backfires. Nobody’s looking outside to see what people think,” said the Mirror’s associate editor Kevin Maguire.
“Reform is the just desserts of what the Tories have created by dog whistle politics,” added HuffPost’s political editor Kevin Schofield.
Meanwhile, comedian Catherine Bohart said that the elephant in the room has been Brexit, getting the biggest laugh with “funny how everyone wants to be Irish now!”
Day three: Love and live music
We started off day three with something close to all of our hearts: sex, dating and relationships.
The Sun’s agony aunt Sally Land got straight down to business with three biggest issues in her mailbox: cheating, sexual disparity and porn. The other experts all agreed that the secret to great sex and relationships is ‘communication’. “You have to communicate your expectations and boundaries” said dating agent from ‘Celebs Go Dating’, Anna Williamson.
TV personality Pete Wicks said: “There’s so much pressure to compare yourself now with other relationships, you just have to do what’s right for you.”
All the panellists agreed that dating apps are great for helping people to connect, but too many people just go for the ‘dopamine hits’. ‘Sex Talks’ Founder Emma-Louise Boynton said “Dating apps are not the problem, it’s dating app culture that’s the problem.”
And with the world and love put to rights, Newsworks’ week at MAD//Fest drew to a close with an amazing gig from soul-pop singer Grace Carter, just back from Glastonbury.
It was another amazing Speakeasy with so many great speakers and performers…and it was great to see so many of you there. Until next year!
View pictures and more highlights from the event at the Newsworks Speakeasy.
