Combining critical thinking and challenging debate with diverse music and vibrant culture,
HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021 is the world’s largest philosophy and music festival. Following
two hugely successful virtual events in 2020, HowTheLightGetsIn announces its first music
acts for this year’s festival, taking place on 29th May.

The Line Up
This year’s line-up leads with London four piece Mystery Jets. The indie veterans have
been long term advocates for social change, and first emerged onto the music scene in 2006
to critical acclaim with their debut LP Making Dens. Garnering support from The Guardian,
Clash, The Line of Best Fit and NME for their emotive storytelling, they dropped their latest
project A Billion Heartbeats during lockdown in April 2020 – a LP shaped by political protest
and the power of social activism. “This album wasn’t about making pointed opinions,” says
frontman Blaine Harrison. “It was about being a mirror for what’s going on, reflecting back
the way people are feeling.”

Joining the indie rockers will be Manchester based musician Izzie Walsh, blending country,
bluegrass, folk and Americana into her rich soundscapes. A former BBC Introducing Artist of
the Week, Izzie has played sold out shows at venues including Manchester’s Deaf Institute
and London’s Slaughtered Lamb, as well as touring Australia with Buckle & Boots Festival.

Izzie Walsh
South West troupe Pattern Pushers will also grace the virtual stage at this year’s festival,
having gained fans from 6Music, BBC Introducing and GQ Magazine for their funk-filled
rhythms. Recently supporting Supergrass and Wolf Alice, their performance is set to be an
uplifting and inspiring musical experience.

With his signature mix of disco debauchery and high-energy party house, DJ Max Galactic
is a formidable party starter. A HowTheLightGetsIn veteran, Max brought his impeccably
mixed funk and soul to the first online festival in May 2020 and is back due to popular
demand. Packing out dance floors at Wilderness, Larmer Tree, Camp Bestival, Green Man
and playing at London’s Southbank Centre as part of Nile Rodgers’ Meltdown Festival, he is
guaranteed to make your late night session go cosmic.

With 100+ speakers and artists, 80+ events and 10 virtual stages, May’s event promises a
day filled with unmissable debates, comedy, music and talks: from UK-based rapper and
political activist Lowkey, philosopher Slavoj Žižek, powerful critic of misogyny in the Middle
East and an unflinching advocate for women’s rights Ayan Hirsi Ali, English film director
and creator of The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema Sophie Fiennes, UK comedian and star of
Live At The Apollo, Feel Good and Sex Education Sindhu Vee, award-winning comedian,
writer and actor Catherine Bohart and many, many more