Following an inaugural event last summer packed with incredible performances from across the musical spectrum, spectacular scientific happenings and a mind-expanding programme of arts and culture, bluedot with Ovo Energy has revealed the first wave of its musical line-up including all three headliners.
After a five-year hiatus Orbital – the originators of live dance music – are back and headlining bluedot in their only northern show of the summer. Described by The Guardian and Q Magazine as one of the best live shows of all time the creators of classic electronic symphonies and timeless dance floor bangers will be bringing their ground breaking sound to the main stage beneath the iconic Lovell radio telescope for what will surely be one of the standout performances of the year.
Veteran alt-rockers Pixies need no introduction. In an incredible career spanning more than three decades the Pixies have inspired thousands of bands from Nirvana to Radiohead with their unique blend of surf, punk and psychedelia and with a reputation for devastating live shows and a penchant for ufology a top slot and northern festival exclusive at bluedot is the perfect fit.
Indie-artrock outfit Alt-J are the final main stage headliner. Since winning huge acclaim and a Mercury Prize for hit album An Awesome Wave, Alt-J have carried the flag for Brit-alt and cemented their place in the pantheon of intelligent rock. With a new album on the horizon expect some new material to be woven into their much-anticipated set.
Elsewhere on an already impressive bill is alternative rock/electronic band, Soulwax performing with its full electronic live show, a UK festival exclusive from psych-swing revolutionaries Ezra Furman and The Boyfriends, LA dream-pop four piece Warpaint, experimental Squarepusher project Shobaleader One, Mancunian synth-pop prodigy Shura, the legendary Andrew Weatherall, post-industrial duo Factory Floor, anarcho art-rockers Moonlandingz, electro-pop
Singer/songwriter Boxed In, ambient techno maestro Max Cooper with a performance of Emergence, Radiophonic Workshop, Whyte Horses Experience (with special guest TBA), psych chanteuse Jane Weaver and cosmic Welshman Meilyr Jones.
Further support comes from Anna Meredith, Rival Consoles, The Comet is Coming, Marc Riley DJ set, Space Cassette Takeover starring Henge, Age of Glass and Anchorsong, Flamingods, The Early Years, Plastic Mermaids, Goat Girl, Makeness, Ider, TVAM, Wovoka Gentle, Ethan & The Reformation, Girl Sweat Pleasure Temple Ritual Band, Horsebeach, Team Picture and Algorave.
Said festival director Ben Robinson: “We are incredibly proud to be able to present such an innovative and legendary collection of artists to perform at this years bluedot festival.”
“Orbital’s return to the festival stage at bluedot will be an incredibly fitting spectacle and one not to be missed, along with Pixies, Alt-J and Soulwax the headline acts are all hugely talented musicians, who have helped to shape and form music culture over the years.”
“The reaction to the first event has been incredible and we are only just beginning to realise the potential of curating a festival in such a unique location. We have a full programme of science, arts and culture still to come, it’s going to be an exciting summer ahead.”
The full arts, culture and science line-up will be announced in the coming months but highlights include the brilliant best selling author Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Tubular Brass, a newly formed brass band featuring some of the UK’s finest players, performing a full brass band score of Mike Oldfield’s multimillion-selling classic Tubular Bells, developed by the highly regarded arranger and conductor, Sandy Smith.
A once in a lifetime opportunity for any Star Wars Fan. bluedot is very proud to bring The Men Behind The Mask to this years festival. Expect an intriguing insight into the creation of one of the world’s most infamous villains, Darth Vader as Brian Muir, Ralph McQuire and the man inside the mask himself, David Prowse present their story and experience of Vader’s helmet. With screen presentations, panels and an interactive Q&A session, it’s one not to be missed!
There will be a full weekend of fascinating talks from best-selling authors and award-winning academics, covering everything from how to eat in the future to how the brain make us laugh and the science of magic and mindfulness. Highlights include an afternoon of discussions on the rise of Fake News, with leading journalists and politicians discussing whether the increasing trend in our post-truth, post-Trump world threatens democracy itself; and The Dark Web – a magical mystery tour around the darker side of the internet, where anyone can operate under a cloak of anonymity, and why we should care what happens there, hosted by Geoff White, head of Tech for Channel 4.
In the shadow of the Lovell Telescope, one of the world’s most iconic research instruments, bluedot will explore the latest scientific discoveries from outer space and our planet. There will be talks from world-class scientists and thinkers, updates on climate change and the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, combined with an opportunity to ask the Big Questions of leading researchers. All backed up by a full family-friendly programme of hands-on science experiments and interactive shows.
Said Professor Teresa Anderson MBE, Director of the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre: “We’re absolutely delighted to be planning the second bluedot festival here at Jodrell Bank this summer. It’s such a brilliant celebration of music, arts and culture – with a huge strand of real scientific authenticity through it all.
It’s unique not only in the UK but worldwide – a really special event. We’re very proud to be hosting it again and look forward to seeing everyone in July.”
Full weekend camping tickets are now on sale and start from £149 outright cost or a £27.33 payment plan.