After a year off last year, How the Light Gets In, the world's largest philosophy and music festival, returns next year with an impressive line-up of musicians just confirmed.

The original pioneers of ambient house music, English electronic music group The Orb will headline the mainstage at this year’s festival. Inspired by the ambient and electronic artists of the 1980s, most notably Brian Eno and Kraftwerk, and dubbed the ‘Pink Floyd of the Nineties', The Orb’s psychedelic prog-rock sound has influenced drum and bass, house and hip-hop music, worldwide.

Needing no introduction, British electro swing duo, The Correspondents, who have gained a rapid reputation for their energetic and infectious beats, combining old jazz classics with modern rhythms, not to mention their flamboyant stage presence are also confirmed for next year's event. Billed as the ‘kings of hip-hop swing’, this multi-genre force have performed at Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party and Bestival.

Also appearing on the bill is classical-popular singer Laura Wright and singer-songwriter, Nerina Pallot. Recently nominated for Best British Female Artist and Best Song, Nerina's performance promises to deliver an immense set packed with hits from her five critically acclaimed studio albums.

Festival director Hilary Lawson said: “We are immensely proud of this year’s line up. We’ve worked really hard to secure the very best acts – band and artists we personally love and we still have plenty more exciting announcements to come. It’s going to be a truly fantastic weekend - the best HowTheLightGetsIn to date!”

With more than 500 events and artists across 12 stages, HowTheLightGetsIn brings the world’s leading thinkers together with an inspiring programme of music, comedy, culture and performance - all set in atmospheric and intimate venues on the edge of the Black Mountains, alongside the river Wye.

Next year's festival will explore the theme of Darkness, Authority and Dreams. In these dark and turbulent times, we face many dangers, threats and unknowns. What beliefs and authorities have led us here? What dreams and visions for the future might enable us to create a better world?

Among the debates on the programme is The Meaning of Life - Albert Camus claimed "you will never live, if you are looking for the meaning of life". Should we focus on experience and being in the moment? Or is a life without an overall goal and direction a life without meaning? Also announced are The Secrets of Consciousness - is it a mistake to think we can explain consciousness by examining the brain? and Technology, Relationships and Freedom - Eleven years since the first iPhone and the average user checks theirs 221 times a day. With studies claiming internet addiction affects one in 10, some fear a major public health risk. Might it also be profoundly damaging to our relationships and our productivity?

Tier 2 tickets are now on sale, priced at £134 per person. Full weekend camping tickets start from £148 per person. All student and under 25s are eligible for a 30% discount insider code. For tickets and programme details visit https://hay.htlgi.iai.tv/festival-passes