Bluedot: A Weekend in Outer Space

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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Bluedot: A Weekend in Outer Space

24-26 July 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Bluedot
A Weekend in Outer Space
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Bluedot 2020, with its line-up of Björk, Metronomy and Groove Armada, has of course been postponed until next year, but the festival team aren’t leaving 2020 high and dry.

Whetting our appetites for next year’s festival, A Weekend In Outer Space will bring the Bluedot experience online with live music, science talks, culture and family shows, to be broadcast live from 24th – 26th July.

The three-day extravaganza will feature live performances from Orbital, Daniel Avery, Roni Size, BCUC, and Anna Matronic’s Deep Space Disco. There will also be two appearances from Bluedot favourites Henge, who are bookending the weekend with immersive ‘journey to outer space’ and ‘return to Earth’ shows.

Other musical offerings include a stream of Elbow’s 2012 headline set, and an afternoon of album listen-alongs with Tim Burgess, who’ll be joined live by the likes of New Order, Metronomy, and Ibibio Sound Machine.

There will also be live science talks, including Ann Druyan in conversation with Brian Cox and Robin Ince, Jim al-Khalili and Jill Tarter, and for the kids, a wealth of family-friendly shows including Clangers and Nordoff Robins.

The event is free, but there will be an option to donate to Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, the award-winning science centre at The Jodrell Bank Observatory. It generates over 85% of its income from admissions, educational visits, group bookings, and sales in the café and gift shop, all of which rely on doors being open – something which has not been possible in recent months.

Head to A Weekend in Outer Space’s dedicated website this weekend to tune in live.

Where to go near Bluedot: A Weekend in Outer Space

Chadderton Town Hall
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A Michelin star restaurant and homely 17th century inn in the Lake District, with food provided by esteemed chef Kevin Tickle.

Tangerine
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Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

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A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

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If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

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This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

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Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

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