TRANSMISSION
bluedot to take a fallow year in 2024
When we set out on the journey that is bluedot we set out with a mission to create a unique experience – a combination of discovery, exploration and grand cosmic ideas that hadn’t previously existed, soundtracked by some of the finest musicians from across the planet and beyond. An opportunity once a year to explore new and unique collaborations between science, music and the arts, to be amongst like-minded adventurers, and to rediscover and celebrate our shared humanity.
Since launching in 2016, there have been six incredible bluedots filled with out-of-this-world highlights… Actual astronauts (!) in Helen Sharman and Tim Peake, the planet’s most beloved science broadcasters in Brian Cox, Jim Al-Khalili, Alice Roberts, Maggie Aderin-Pocock and James Burke, globally-adored music headliners in Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, Björk, Underworld, The Chemical Brothers, Grace Jones, Orbital and New Order, and early performances from Wet Leg, Self Esteem, Squid, Dream Wife and The Comet Is Coming long before they would become household names. Hannah Peel joined us in the afternoon at bluedot 2018 as Mary Casio, and come 2022 we were honoured to welcome her and Paraorchestra to headline the festival.
Truly a festival at the centre of the universe, we stayed up late to beam the sounds of bluedot off the moon in celebration of Apollo 11’s 50th anniversary, and brought the RRS David Attenbrough team to Mission Control via satellite. And when the sun had gone down, we partied with Andrew Weatherall, 2manydjs, Erol Alkan, Roni Size and Annie Mac, and turned the Lovell Telescope into a 76-metre spectacular, with special visual performances created in collaboration with Max Cooper, Roisin Murphy, Groove Armada, Mogwai, Grace Jones, Pavement, Illuminos, Daito Manebe, Jodrell Bank’s own Tim O’Brien and Brian Eno, whose 2016 collaboration won ‘Best Mind Blowing Spectacle’ at the Association of Independent Festivals Awards.
Underpinning bluedot’s mission is a sincere love and respect for the earth and environment we are lucky to be part of. However, at bluedot this July, that earth itself took a lot of strain. Experiencing the highest level of rainfall on the festival weekend since records began (records courtesy of Jodrell Bank’s own weather station!) we have patiently waited to see what the effects of this have been on the land itself. We have now sadly reached the judgement that the ground on which the bluedot universe is built desperately needs some time to recover; a period of rest during which the soil will recover and regenerate. We are, as Carl Sagan put it, in very bad trouble if we don’t understand the planet we’re trying to save.
We have therefore taken the decision for bluedot to have a fallow year in 2024.
We had grand ambitions for our 2024 edition, but are nonetheless excited for the future, buoyed by the Artemis mission to take humanity back to the moon for the first time in 56 years. We cannot wait to join in the excitement with you.
We would like to share a heartfelt thank you to our home of Jodrell Bank, the local community and Cheshire East Council, the artists, speakers and all festival staff for their support since day one, and especially in the most challenging moments of bluedot 2023.
“Let the past hold on to itself and let the present journey into the future”. – Douglas Adams
Our journey is not yet complete – we look forward to moving into the future with you.
From all at bluedot,
Thank you.
The bluedot experience
From the world’s best loved headliners beneath the legendary iconic Lovell Telescope to late-night electronica in Orbit, science Dot Talks in Mission Control and Star Pavilion, award-winning culture and comedy in Notes, family fun on the Big Bang Stage, and much, much more. Where else can you enjoy a beer and a science talk before heading to a legendary headliner, and losing yourself in an immersive art installation?
THE SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE, BENEATH THE ICONIC LOVELL TELESCOPE
Incredible live music and DJs are at the heart of the bluedot experience. Iconic headliners Grace Jones, Kraftwerk, Björk, The Chemical Brothers and New Order have appeared on the Lovell Stage beneath Jodrell Bank’s iconic Lovell Telescope, while Orbit is our home of cutting-edge electronic and dance music, with previous guests including Soulwax, Leftfield, Max Cooper, Kelly Lee Owens, Unkle and Andrew Weatherall. Following daytime performances from the newest of the intergalactic underground, by night Nebula transforms into the home of bluedot’s Late Night parties, curated by some of the most influential names in electronic music including Nyege Nyege and Mixmag, while Deep Space Disco hosts a variety of intergalactic delights for young adventurers with a whole host of family-friendly fun.
OBSERVE, EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT WITH ICONIC SCIENCE SPEAKERS AND CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCHERS
The ultimate weekend of science and exploration…
Enjoy keynote talks from the biggest names in space exploration, physics, biology and environmentalism, discuss the latest discoveries with scientists and researchers at our extensive science fair, and explore and experiment with hands-on science, workshops and much more!
Science comes to life at bluedot, with previous headline speakers like BBC Sky At Night’s Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris LIntott, Brian Cox, Helen Sharman, Tim Peake, European Space Agency’s Libby Jackson and Monica Grady filling our Mission Control arena, while across the site exhibitors, workshops and live shows bring science to families, with the likes of British Antarctic Survey, Chester Zoo and the University of Manchester hosting special sessions.
PREVIOUS BLUEDOTS
The Location
UNESCO World Heritage Sites aren’t often the home of music and science festivals… So this one’s pretty special. Explore five unique arenas beneath the awe-inspiring 76-metre Lovell Telescope, including immersive arts experiences in The Outer Space,
Travel and Accommodation
Jodrell Bank is just thirty minutes south of Manchester, and with coach packages available for direct travel to site you can easily join us from London, Liverpool and more. General camping is included in your weekend ticket, or you can upgrade to Boutique Accommodation – with options from pre-pitched unfurnished Dome Tents to luxury bell tents and Airstreams!
Vip Village
The VIP Village is the home of relaxation at bluedot, with a private viewing area of the main Lovell Stage and hosting an array of award-winning restaurants and chefs, alongside a host of VIP perks including premium toilets, covered seating and exclusive late night DJs.
