HowTheLightGetsIn, the world’s largest philosophy and music festival gathering Nobel Prize winners, politicians and comedians together with the hottest music performers, has today announced its first music acts for next year’s Hay festival, taking place from May 22 to 25 next year.

HowTheLightGetsIn’s 11th anniversary line-up will include Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Nitin Sawhney. The prolific musician and composer has collaborated with the likes of Paul McCartney and Nelson Mandela, scored TV and film pieces from Human Planet to Mowgli, and developed an international reputation in genres from Asian to electronica across 20 solo studio albums.

Meanwhile, after performing for the MOBO awards and a critically soaring performance at the Royal Albert Hall, soulful singer and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson is musical proof that classical and alternative R&B music could and should coexist. Making her HowTheLightGetsIn debut next May, she promises to touch hearts with her mesmerizing vocals – it’s no wonder that Gilles Peterson calls himself her biggest fan.

Richard Colburn and Chris Geddes, members of Scottish indie pop legends Belle and Sebastian, have DJd together around the globe, and will bring their mix of lounge, indie, psych and exotica to what promises to be a seminal night for proper music lovers.

Irresistible electro swing duo The Correspondents, consistently ranked in The Telegraph’s top ten Glastonbury moments for their flamboyant stage presence and visually bonkers mash up of all things dance, will return to HowTheLightGetsIn for what promises to be a unique party like no other.

There are plenty more acts yet to come, with the programme promising over 100 musicians and performers all told by the time the festival commences. HowTheLightGetsIn will feature over 200 events overall, including over 80 debates and talks featuring the world’s leading thinkers, plus a handpicked cast of comedians, banquets, documentary screenings, parties, cabaret, and so much more.

Founder of the IAI and festival director, Hilary Lawson, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Hay next May for our 11th festival by the river. Hay-on-Wye represents an escape from the urban status world, where festival goers can leave their anxieties behind and explore our world-beating programme of debates across philosophy, politics, science and the arts, discover the hottest new music acts, and laugh until their sides hurt with our indecently funny comedy line-up.”

Earlybird tickets for the full weekend are available from £138. All students and under 25s are eligible for a 30% discount, and under 12s are welcome free of charge.

For tickets and details please visit howthelightgetsin.org/hay