bluedot Festival announces Wayne Coyne in conversation with Professor Tim O’Brien

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne returns to bluedot festival for a meeting of science and musical minds with Professor Tim O’ Brien Associate Director at Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, and avid explorer of exploding stars later this month.
Bluedot Festival

The Flaming Lips headlined the first major music event at Jodrell Bank in 2011. Wayne was given a personal tour of the Control Room before performing a landmark show beneath the iconic Lovell Telescope, declaring it was “the greatest place to be on Planet Earth”. During the tour, Tim and Wayne discussed our understanding of the Universe, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and the possibility of alternative dimensions. This coming together of the worlds of music, space exploration and creativity is what now lies at the heart of the bluedot festival.

The festival, which takes place from 19-22 July has also announced a new Roots Stage, produced in partnership with Arts Council England and legendary Manchester venue Band on the Wall. Over three days, the Roots stage will feature stunning music from South Asia, some of the most exciting emerging urban jazz talents, and a programme of Afro-Caribbean grooves.

As well as headliners The Chemical Brothers, The Flaming Lips and Future Islandsother musical highlights include: Craig Charles headlining Mission Control with a Space Funk Odyssey set bespoke to bluedot; The Halle performing ‘Blue Planet in Concert’ on Thursday, debuting a new 4-day festival format (separate ticket needed); The Radiophonic Workshop delve into their truly iconic catalogue of pioneering electronica, as well as documenting the sounds of bluedot all weekend for a new work; plus Gary Numan, Little Dragon, George Fitzgerald Live, Alexis Taylor, Gilles Peterson, Nadine Shah, Hookworms and many more.

bluedot is dedicated to exploring the latest scientific discoveries from outer space and our planet, with a topical and important focus this year on sustainability. With DotTalks from world-class scientists and thinkers, including the award-winning evolutionist and outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, author and broadcaster Dallas Campbell, winner of BBC2’s ‘Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?’ Suzie Imber, plus Jodrell Bank’s own Teresa Anderson and Tim O’Brien, expect discussions around key issues such as sustainability, climate change and the exploration of space, with opportunities to ask the Big Questions of leading researchers. Backed up by an inclusive and exciting array of hands-on science experiments and explosive interactive shows, bluedot’s expansive science programme caters for the whole family.
Also new for 2018, PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, together with The New BBC Radiophonic Workshop, present the second annual Oram Awards celebrating innovation in music, sound and related technologies by the next generation of forward thinking women. The ceremony will take place at bluedot on Friday 20th July hosted by BBC Radio 3 and 6Music’s Elizabeth Alker.

Namd after BBC Radiophonic Workshop founding member Daphne Oram, The Oram Awards will see 2 winners receiving special commendations and PRS Foundation talent development bursaries of £1,500 each, and 4 winners each receiving talent development bursaries of £500 from PRS Foundation.

Full weekend camping tickets are still available and start from just £169, with entry for under 5’s free. Day Tickets available from £59.75. Thursday-only tickets, for Blue Planet In Concert with The Halle – are available from £29. Our boutique camping offers a vast and varied selection of luxury accommodation options for those who prefer an extra touch of comfort. For more information go to www.discoverthebluedot.com/tickets