A favourite local event, one that we always implore everyone to go along to, that we always try to get along to ourselves too, is bluedot! Based around the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, the event captures our attention each year, with a spectacular line-up combining music, science, and the arts, in an out-of-this-world location. This year the billing includes the likes of Roisin Murphy, Pavement, Grace Jones, Annie Mac, Young Fathers, and so much more!
In case you’re going along, or you’re simply after discovering new artists that are on festival radars – particularly the expert, innovative minds behind bluedot – we’ve decided to pull together our plan of action – similar to what we did for Glastonbury.
Photography of Roisin Murphy by Manc Wanderer
We’ve naturally got our eyes set on catching Roisin Murphy’s performance, as the Friday night headliner. In May this year, she celebrated our 10th Anniversary with us, in preparation for her festival dates, so we already know that it’ll be a spectacular show featuring tonnes of outfit changes, disco, frivolity, mesmerising visuals, and much more, all curated and hosted by one of the biggest, best and brightest powerhouses of pop! Likewise, if Roisin is (understandably) your thing, you’re definitely going to want to be at the icon that is Grace Jones’ set in the Legends slot on Sunday evening. You’d be silly to miss it.
Looking back to the Friday you can join our friends from Sounds From The Other City as they DJ throughout the day, providing the very best selections for your afternoon musings. Another set of legends are Leftfield who bring the Orbit stage to life for a late-night performance that’s bound to be a visual marvel and truly get the weekend going. Earlier in the day too, Tom Rasmussen is an artist not to miss. He supported SELF ESTEEM at our venue earlier this year and very much caught our attention. Also, Roisin does slightly clash with an act that may be more of the post-punk lover’s choice – Black Country, New Road, are a group that we’ve wanted to see for such a long time. It’s going to be tricky to run between Lovell and Orbit!
Photography of Annie Mac by Kitty Handley
Saturday we’re truly getting into things with a truly delectable buffet of artists. We’ve been lucky enough to have Tinariwen grace our stage, as part of our line-up for Manchester Psych Fest, back in September last year and we were absolutely blown away by the collective’s guitar-driven style that combines traditional Tuareg and African music with Western rock music. Then looking at the evening onwards, there are the likes post-punk acts: leaf-clad Snapped Ankles and London-based (none leaf-clad) Sorry. Then there are, of course, two indie-rock stalwarts, The Go! Team and headliners Pavement, going back-to-back from the Orbit to the Lovell stage! Not to be missed off too are Dry Cleaning, who SOLD OUT our venue in February and we’re excited to catch them again, in amongst a bevy of similarly popular artists.
Photography of Young Fathers by Sinead Ferguson
Now, Sunday is quite the finale. With the aforementioned Grace Jones set as the headliner, none other than Annie Mac is closing the festival! Having headlined our venue for a SOLD OUT club night earlier this year, we know that Annie knows how to create an incredible atmosphere and bring the most loving, energetic energy to a crowd. Earlier in the day too, make sure to catch FAIR PLAY alumni aplenty: electronic wizards Scalping, post-punk powerhouse Big Joanie and pop high riser, Jessica Winter! Last but certainly not least, two jazz-infused artists that we’ll be right at the front for are Young Fathers (who SOLD OUT their gig here earlier this year) and KOKOROKO, who both present fusions of their own mastery.
Obviously, that’s not all bluedot has to offer, they’re just a selection of the acts catching our eye! You can find the full lineup and purchase tickets on their website.
