MindField Rocks the Art of Conversation, It’s the break from Music into literary items and debate for those who have interests in politics and current affairs brought to you in association with RTE Radio one.

It’s three day, seven venue conversation for the nation with seven elegantly decorated tented locations in the Mindfield arena at electric picnic, located behind the Main stage of Electric Picnic.

Leviathan: Political Cabaret

Back again for another year, its politics and current affairs debate with satirical twist, hosted by David McWilliams, each day starts with chat and fun, Ryan Tudbridy will be orchestrating picnic brunch and Mindfield news quiz. British comic and graphic novelist Pat Mills will join too and Steve Bell will attend for the big comic chat.

Themes this year include online politics with Dan Boyle, The Middle East with George Galloway and Rachel Marsden. Ireland in 202 with Eamonn Ryan are some of the attractions.

New to the Leviathan tent this year is the exciting addition of History Ireland’s Hedge Schools hosted by Tommy Graham with a debate on the life and legacy of The Great O’Neill with special guest, actor Stephen Rea; and Eamon Delaney, T Ryle Dwyer and Eunan Ó Halpin; and a discussion with George Galloway the justification for Irish Neutrality together with Minister Conor Lenihan, Hiram Morgan and Ciaran Brady.

Arts Council Literary Stage

This is the best of Irish and International writers togethher sharing works, readings, talks and debates, Special guest appearances will be included from some of the festival artists, for example last year Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine was featured.

Mike Scott from The Waterboys will read his memoirs and others including Princeton University professor Paul Muldoon with Philip King as well as Roddy Doyle, Kevin Barry, Irvine Welsh, Charlie Connelly, Mike McCormack, Dermot Bolger, Leanne O’Sullivan, Mary O’Malley, Gerry Smyth, Pat Boran, Rita Ann Higgins, Carlo Gebler, Louis de Paor and Ronan Browne, Paul Murray, Chris Binchy, Claire Kilroy

RTE Radio On’es Drivetime Savvy Women will also be bring insights from some of Irelands foremost female voices like Kathy Sheridan, Justine Mccarthy, Sara Burke and Tara Buckley.

The Word: Poetry and Slam

This is the best of Irish and International poets and slam artists including some world slam champions. Expect some lyrical magic, some Writers workshops and Showcase Slams.

The Salon

New this year, The Salon provides a chilled out space for unique events like the counter-intuitive storytelling and games of Chaos Thaoghaire, Salon du Chat’s speed debating and inspiring talk from the Anti-Room blog,

SCIENCE GALLERY

Trinity College Dublin’s groundbreaking Science Gallery brings a host of fascinating and inspirational interactive experiments, talks and demonstrations based around the Biorhythm theme exploring in fun ways how music affects the human body and human behaviour as well as the intriguing Ignite! format which brings fascinating talks on all kinds of esoteric subjects to an interactive slide show.

AN PUBALL GAEILGE

An Puball Gaeilge hosted by Kila’s Rossa O Snodaigh blends all kinds of entertainment and mischief in the Irish language. Expect debates, pub quizzes, GAA commentary karaoke and much more fun and frolics as Gaeilge. Manchan Magan returns with a new drama. Ronan Mac Aodha Bhui will host the Cabaret Craicealta. There’s Cork based MC Bubba Shakespeare. Music from The Dirty 9’s, Henrietta Game; poet Louis de Paor; and Galway-based theatre and puppet company Fibin bring live art installations, puppet peep-show, and other performances. Winner of TG4s Glas Vegas, Sibeal Davitt will get the whole tent toe tapping with her Sexy Sean Nos act. And actor, comedian and Edinburgh Festival-award winner, Aindreas de Staic returns.

THEATRE STAGE

Now in its 3rd year the Theatre Stage promises to deliver yet another weekend packed with  new and exciting theatrical delights mixed with a smidge of mayhem. Expect drama, Obama, comedy, improv, DIY theatre, puppets, and theatre live where we will attempt to make a play in under an hour. With something for everyone including the kids we look forward to transporting you beyond the forth wall.

Acts so far include: Split Gin present Andy Warhol’s Nothing Special; Choke Comedy Improv; Obama Mia!; Wildebeest Theatre presents The Real World; Moonfish theatre present The Secret Garden; Play Go Theatre Company present The Gruffalo Story; NUIG Players present The Last Days of Judas Iscariot; MOUTH PIECE Productions present Not I by Samuel Beckett. There’s also a dramatisation of Trevor White’s book about founding The Dubliner magazine at the height of the boom.

The Hot Press Chat Room returns to Electric Picnic for another year of up-close-and personal public interviews… Already confirmed to appear in the Chat Room this year are Imelda May and Stars, with many, many more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Acts to receive the Hot Press Chat Room treatment in previous years have included Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, The Sugarhill Gang, Elbow, Seasick Steve, Lykke Li, Alabama 3, Zero 7, The XX, Richmond Fontaine, James Blunt, The Frames, Tommy Tiernan, Gang of Four, Damien Dempsey, Gemma Hayes, Mundy, The Duckworth Lewis Method, The Walkmen and many more!

Fans are invited to sit in and get comfortable in The Hot Press Chat Room, as the stars of the Picnic drop by each day to discuss all kinds of everything, and answer questions from the floor.

Weekend Tickets are €240 / Family Camping Ticket EU240 per adult. Each adult can bring up to 2 kids under 12. There are no single day tickets. Above ticket prices include booking fee & VAT and are available  from all usual outlets, www.ticketmaster.ie / Credit Card Hotline: Ph 0818 719300 Republic of Ireland / 0870 2434455 UK/Northern Ireland. Phone / internet bookings are subject to 12.5% service charges. Agents fee is €2.50.
www.electricpicnic.ie <http://www.electricpicnic.ie/> <http://www.electricpicnic.ie/>