New Order and Hot Chip announced for Bluedot Festival

Never mind propellant, bluedot’s launch was fuelled by science and culture - and the festival has rocketed in popularity ever since. After a stratospheric debut in 2016, the Jodrell Bank event returns for its fourth innings this summer (18-21 July) with the same mixture of late-night concerts, daytime family activities and talks from leading scientists. 

Joining Kraftwerk in leading this year’s music line-up are electro rockers New Order, who head up the bill on Sunday, while synth-pop outfit Hot Chip perform on Friday night. 

Thursday night, meanwhile, sees the Lovell Stage host an orchestral extravaganza as the acclaimed renowned Halle Orchestra presents Lift Off: a performance of specially selected sci-fi themes and music related to the moon, accompanied by unique big screen visuals.

Elsewhere on the line-up is electronic pioneer Jon Hopkins; Mercury-nominated poet, playwright and rapper Kate Tempest; alt-electro storyteller John Grant; Welsh psych wizard Gruff Rhys; Grammy-nominated producer Jennifer Lee aka TOKIMONSTA; and art-rocker Anna Calvi.

Also announced is the first all-female West African supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique, techno-dabke from Omar Souleyman - whose collaborators include Bjork and Caribou - and a DJ set from award-winning actor and activist Maxine Peake. 

There will also be late night parties with Attenborough Jungle Boogie; Tarantino Disco cutting-up classic soundtracks from the legendary director’s movies; and an AV rave mash-up of hits from the legendary Fleetmac Wood. 

bluedot has also announced the first names from its popular science and culture programme - this year centred on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. 

Key speakers include leading science, wildlife and natural history broadcaster Liz Bonnin and Professor of Disability Research Tom Shakespeare and women’s rights activist Dr Helen Pankhurst - as well as bluedot favourites physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili, spaceflight expert Dr Libby Jackson, TV presenter Dallas Campbell and the return of The Clangers celebrating their 50^th anniversary.

bluedot 2019 is the fourth chapter of the groundbreaking event, which has seen headline performances from the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Pixies, The Flaming Lips, Underworld and Jean-Michel Jarre, plus high-profile talks from Brian Cox, Alice Roberts and Richard Dawkins.

The full programme will be announced soon. Tickets will be available from 10am on Thursday 24 January at discoverthebluedot.com