Observer Ideas Festival, Barbican

Combining the eclectic appeal of a festival with the aim of stimulating thought and undercutting preconceptions, The Observer is hosting a one day Festival of Ideas. A day of live music and performance will be punctuated with debates and talks from a dizzyingly diverse range of artists, activists, academics and public figures. There's a variety of in-depth analytical discussions, personal stories and short, concentrated bursts of insight to keep your brain buzzing all day.
David Simon - Keynote Speaker
Author and investigative journalist David Simon had us hooked and horrified with his jaw-dropping HBO series The Wire, hailed by many as the best television show ever. Superficially a crime drama, the unflinching realism of the Baltimore backdrop, bolstered by Simon's scrupulous research and real-life experiences was edgier and more absorbing that the bravest of police officers or toughest of gangsters. Simon describes how the reality of capitalism, class and race in contemporary America is a 'horror show', leaving the country in 'existential crisis'. The alarming division between the visible, viable America with which we are familiar and the sinking underclass, hidden from society's sight, will form the basis of Simon's speech. He's an eloquent critic and a perceptive diagnostician of such shocking social inequalities. Combining his own anecdotes from researching and creating The Wire with analysis of the current situation, Simon will give a uniquely gritty insight into the 'Two Americas'.
Tinie Tempah: My Life in Music and Conchita Wurst: Words and Music
The ultra stylish music mogul Tinie Tempah will reflect on his London upbringing and discuss the role that family played in his immensely successful pop career. Later, the famously hairy-faced Austrian Eurovision winner Conchita will reflect on the political impact his cross-dressing pop persona has had on the promotion and acceptance of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) rights. 
Jack Monroe: The Politics of Food
Gutsy Guardian food columnist Jack Monroe will challenge the political disregard for those struggling on the breadline. In a culture where thrifty is trendy rather than necessary she's an unpatronising and authentic success story.  As a single mother surviving on a shoestring she shared her experiences creating healthy family meals with just £10 a week in her blog A Girl Named Jack , which collected followers and catapulted Monroe into the public eye. Passionate about wholesome and delicious food, and vociferous about inspiring change, she has since published a cookbook and become an ambassador for Oxfam. 
Evgeny Morozov and Anthony Zboralski: The Internet
Academic and leading analyst of digital technology, Evgeny Morozov  will discuss the darker side of online innovation. The Net Delusion author will debunk the utopian myths surrounding Silcon Valley and reveal the way in which technology can impinge freedom.
Exploring another online peril, Anthony Zboralski will demonstrate the vulnerability of sensitive information in cyberspace. The former hacker turned security expert once infiltrated the FBI and now consults the government on how to protect online information. He will tap into the audience's phone stream to expose the fragility of so-called smartphone security.
Maths, Science, Art, Activism, Food, Music
Actvist Chido Govera will discuss how the poverty and abuse that she suffered as a young orphan in Zimbawbwe can be stopped through the spread of small-scale mushroom farming. Fields Prize-winning Mathematician Cedric Villani will seduce even the arithmophobes with a talk on the aesthetics and romance of equations. Turner Prize-winning Artist Jeremy Deller will delve into our shifting culture through the parallels between renaissance art and a contemporary photo. Astronomer Maggie Aderin-Pocock will share her own story of overcoming disadvantage and prejudice to become one of the foremost figures in the field of space science. Cambrige University's Dr Kate Stone has combined a luddite leaning with cutting-edge technology to create seemingly magical musical paper - and she will demonstrate these paper dj decks for the audience. Food historian Michael Twitty will trace the culture melting pot that mixes up to create the unique flavours of South American cuisine. Plus two immensely talented musicians, Benjamin Clementine and Denai Moore will perform and also discuss the influences and message behind their music.