FutureFest 2018: Akala, Ruby Wax and Imogen Heap among headliners at festival of alternative ideas

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Zoe Paskett20 June 2018

The future doesn’t always seem so bright at the moment. Still, times of uncertainty call forth all sorts of responses from all sorts of people, those who realise that individuals do have the power to enact change even when sometimes it looks like an impossible task.

Held every other year, FutureFest – organised by tech and ideas charity Nesta – gathers forward-thinking minds from all around the globe to consider what the world might look like in a few years time. This year it’s dedicated to serving as a “platform for alternative visions”.

Through debates, talks and installations, FutureFest is an immersive weekend aiming to equip people with the tools they need to create better futures for themselves and those around them.

This year sees headliners from across the board: musicians, politicians, filmmakers, professors, economists, writers and activists are all taking part. Talks each fall into one of three categories: Alternative Visions, Alternative You and Making Alternatives.

Alternative Visions looks at economy, power, democracy and cities. On the impressive list of headliners for this track is rapper, writer, activist and co-founder of the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company Akala, discussing the future of British identity. London Night Czar Amy Lamé will talk on the changing face of the city, and there'll also be an interview with Nick Clegg.

Speaking on Alternative You, which investigates identity, belonging and health, comedian and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax will explore how to stay human in a digital age, while Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson discuss how equal societies could restore sanity.

Tech, work, food, art and invention come into Making Alternatives: singer, songwriter and founder of Mycelia and Creative Passport Imogen Heap will talk about what blockchain could mean for the music industry and is set to perform with her electronic musical gloves.

The Future Starts Here, V&A (May 12 - November 4 2018) - In pictures

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The audience can also gamble with their privacy at the data casino and walk through the FutureFest Garden, which re-imagines our relationship with nature in the city.

Celia Hannon, director of explorations at Nesta, said: “We live in a time where our relationship with ‘the future’ feels increasingly fraught and fatalistic, but FutureFest is about creating a platform for people to occupy alternatives futures and possibilities. We invite you to join us this year to hear from some of the world’s leading thinkers, artists, campaigners and technologists, all working on radical solutions to our biggest challenges.”

See? It’s not all doom and gloom. The best way to predict the future is to make it happen yourself.

For a full programme go to futurefest.org. FutureFest runs July 6-7 at Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, E1W 2SF

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