Miriam and McWilliams return to Mindfield at Electric Picnic

The line-up for the Mindfield Arena at Electric Picnic has been announced today, with RTÉ star Miriam O’Callaghan and economist David McWilliams confirmed to appear.

'Africa: The Rising Continent' is the theme of this year’s programme, the centrepiece of which is Fergal Keane Talks Africa - a series of interactive debates about the past, present and future of the continent and its people - hosted by the BBC journalist together with Ugandan publisher and journalist, Andrew Mwenda and a diverse panel of experts.

The Leviathan debates, hosted by economist and author, David McWilliams respond to the threats to human rights defenders in Africa and beyond and explore how surveillance technologies have become the new weapons of war.

Miriam O’Callaghan will host the Electric Picnic Brunch with comedians, journalists and performers.

Electric Picnic’s more cerebral customers can also look forward to a contribution from CoderDojo: the open source, global movement of free computer coding clubs for young people, with Kevin Godley, of pioneering music video duo Godley and Crème, demonstrating his groundbreaking musical platform Whole World Band with live performances beamed in from around the world with Rodney Orpheus and Nigerian-Irish rapper, Simi Crowns.

The Science Gallery Stage will have

* Ignite Electric Picnic: high-energy five-minute talks;

* Scientific Sue: A science show for all ages that looks at weird weather and crazy climate; and

* Futureproof Live: Newstalk's weekly science show with Jonathan McCrea will return for a jam-packed programme of workshops and demos.

The Theatre Stage, programmed by Dublin Theatre Festival’s Willie White, presents a series of performances from some of Ireland’s most exciting artists including productions from Opera Theatre Company, performing opera from the movies; Emmet Kirwan (Sarah and Steve), Gúna Nua, Dylan Coburn Gray, ANU Productions, and Ian Lloyd Anderson (Love/Hate) and Devious Theatre Company.

In the afternoons, the provocative History Ireland Hedge School returns to ask was World War I: a Great War or a good war and, with a neat hucklebuck, looks into showbands, beat bands & ballads and youth culture of the ‘60s.

More chat without the chit returns on Sunday with the fun “speed-debating” of Salon du Chat.

The Word Stage, hosted by Marty Mulligan from Mullingar features a wealth of poetry, slam and musical talent including: Canadian poet and rapper, C R Avery, The Brownbread Mixtape, Dublin’s Underground Beat, Cúirt Literary Festival Showcase, The Monday Echo, Milk and Cookies, The Whitehouse Poets, Lingo Spoken Word Festival Showcase, Storymap, Come Here to me, Olaf Tyaransen, The Mary Coughlan Band, Ka Tet, Ska’s Good Gravy, Cronin, Mojo Gogo, Sinead White, David Donoghue and Clive Barnes as well as many others.

An Puball Gaeilge has its biggest ever programme of Irish-language events including Hector Ó hEochagáin hosting 70s porn karaoke; Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí’sCaiberet Craiceáilte; Manchán Magan and Aindrias de Staic; as well as music, poetry, theatre debate, burlesque, standup comedy and food – all in the medium of ár teanga náisiúnta.