Bluedot 2017 festival line up announced

The serene Cheshire countryside somewhere south of Manchester is a super spot for stargazing, especially if you are an astronomer at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Sadly for us regular folk most of the time we have to settle for a few fleeting views of footballers as they speed past in their Ferraris - that is until bluedot festival swings into town.

Last summer we were treated to spectacular shows from the likes of Jean-Michel Jarre and Public Service Broadcasting, and in between tweeting photos of the Lovell radio telescope and pretending to be bats, listened to inspiring talks from luminaries of the science world. But this year’s bluedot line up is even more stellar, with groundbreaking electro duo Orbital, veteran rockers Pixies and British indie band Alt-J lighting up the stage over the weekend.

Orbital fans will be extra chuffed to see their faves on the bill as they come off the back of a five-year break, and their out-of-this-world live show promises to be even more spectacular under the iconic Lovell telescope.

“Orbital’s return to the festival stage at bluedot will be an incredibly fitting spectacle and one not to be missed,” says festival director Ben Robinson, “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.”

Other acts who’ll be strumming, bleeping and digitally imprinting their 1s and 0s on you include Soulwax, Ezra Furman, The Boyfriends, Warpaint, and Squarepusher’s project Shobaleader One. Check out the full bluedot with Ovo Energy line up here.

As well as music, other special guests will be at hand to treat the science geek in you with talks on topics ranging from fake news, the dark web and Darth Vader’s helmet.

Bluedot festival is held at the Jodrell Bank Observatory from 7-9 July 2017, and full weekend camping tickets are now on sale now from £149.

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