A mind blowing melting pot of science, music and wonder awaits those who travel to the Jodrell Bank Observatory for Bluedot 2017. With an out of this world line up to pick from, we've picked out the festival's five must see moments.

Last updated: 23rd Jun 2017

Originally published: 19th Jun 2017

Image: Bluedot (credit)

When it comes to sheer uniqueness, no festival out there can top Bluedot. Situated in the shadow of the mighty Jodrell Bank telescope in Cheshire, the festival site is an awesome spectacle in itself and that's before you add in some of planet earth's finest musicians and plenty of scientific workshops to keep all ages open mouthed in wonder.

Taking place between Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July, the festival has heaps of out of this world superstars on offer with headline acts including Orbital and Alt J, a bill that features the likes of Shura, Ezra Furman and Hawkwind (check out the full Bluedot lineup), along with a full prorgamme of lecturers in line for Dot talks where there is plenty to learn.

Last year's inaugural event was a resounding success and the festivals organisers have built on 20016's triumphs to create a 2017 event that delivers an out of this world festival experience. Ahead of the festival, we journeyed into the Bluedot Line up to deliver the five acts set to hit stratospheric heights this July.

Horsebeach

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Hitting the Orbit stage on Saturday, this sparkling Mancunian outfit will trip through their three album back catalogue to deliver jangly indie pop at its finest. With soaring choruses, intricate fretwork and delightful lyrics, the music Horsebeach produce is truly glorious and latest release Beauty and Sadness is a shining example of everything the group does well. Expect to be blown away by them as they deliver their immersive live show in the most fitting of settings.

Sheena Cruickshank

No trip to Bluedot would be complete without a moment to top up your scientific knowledge. Across the weekend there's a glut of seminars and talks which explore various topics about the amazing world science enables us to understand.

Manchester University's Immunology expert Dr Sheena Cruickshank is hosting a talk entitled 'Inside: You The Amazing and Horrible World of Parasites' on the Friday, which quite clearly from its title easily the best way to start any festival experience. Why wouldn't you want to know exactly what is going on inside you?

Jimmy Coultas

Hawkwind

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The undisputed creators of 'space rock', could there be a band more perfect for Bluedot Festival? Probably not. Forming in the late 1960s, the band went on to release their eponymous debut album in 1970, which was followed up on a year later before multiple band members left.  

After drafting in a certain Ian Kiliminster aka Lemmy, the band penned their most notable track 'Silver Machine' and the rest, as they say, is history. With Dave Brock representing as the only original member of the space rock outfit, their show at Bluedot is a a chance tos ee such a legendary outfit in action, with production values no doubt out of this world.

Warpaint

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Mainstays of the LA dream-pop scene, the four-piece will take to the iconic Lovell Stage on the Sunday of Bluedot. Warpaint have toured relentlessly since their hiatus-breaking third album Heads Up. The amazing telescope at Jodrell Bank will be the perfect backdrop to their glimmering lo-fi back catalogue.

Andrew Weatherall

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Widely considered as one of the best selectors in the industry, Weatherall is always guaranteed to deliver some sublime acid house and techno tomfoolery. The maestro's record collection is filled with obscure low tempo gems and a whole load of dancefloor-ready delights that are sure to take you to another planet. You can catch him spinning on the Sunday at Bluedot. 

Becca Frankland

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