Talks
ALSO sprung from the loins of Salon London, the legendary night that put ideas from authors, academics, and experts together with audiences in London clubs (described by GQ as ‘one of the top things to do in the world’) meaning we have over two decades’ experience of taking ideas and letting them run wild. In 2014, having programmed extensively for the most creative festivals in the UK (putting clever content into Latitude, Wilderness, Standon Calling, Soho House, Festival No 6, Blue Dot and Lost Village), we knew exactly how to curate the UK’s first ideas and music festival.
If you've been to ALSO before, you'll know it's like a 'choose your own adventure' through a programme of ideas, music, comedy, wellbeing and food, delivered in a way you won't find at any other festival. . .
Across three days, you’ll find world-class talks - spanning science to philosophy, creativity to climate given by leaders in their field - intimate Q&As, our signature Double Talk series, book signings, ideas walks, headphone journeys, wild conversations, panels, weekend paper reviews, and serendipitous bar-side debates. You’ll stumble upon pop-up collaborations between writers and artists, tastings, Chef-led demos, workshops, masterclasses, guided swims, creative installations, and our ever-evolving digital wall of film and art.
Ideas at ALSO25. . .
The Ideas programme is the blood in ALSO’s veins. ALSO25 saw the incredible Camilla Pang, Gina Rippon, Jamie Tahsin, Margaret Heffernan, Natalie Haynes, Adam Kucharski, Mike Berners-Lee, Claudia Hammond, Vanessa Kisuule, Kit de Waal (to name but a few) take us deep into our LOVE AND HORROR theme. And we’re still not over it.
In 2026, we’ll be turning the dial up again. Mind-expanding talks. Wild formats. Fresh collaborations. A fabulous new theme. Because ideas run wild here (and so should you). First wave line-up lands January 2026.
Check out the ALSO25 talks programme here
