Bluedot festival is finally set to return next weekend after two years of cancellations.
The much-loved festival marries together the worlds of music and science and takes place at arguably the most beautiful location in the UK.
Some of the world’s biggest artists will be performing beneath the awesome sight of the 76-metre-wide Lovell Telescope, which will be lit up with projections as a huge digital artwork for the first time.
Bluedot will be back between 21 and 24 July for its fifth instalment.
Here’s everything you need to know about the massive festival near Greater Manchester.
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Who are the headliners?
Bjork and Metronomy will both headline Bluedot 2022. Credit: Supplied
This year, headliners at Bluedot will include Groove Armada (as part of the band’s final live tour), post-rockers Mogwai, and Metronomy.
In a UK festival exclusive, Bjork will perform a uniquely commissioned performance with the Halle Orchestra to close the festival.
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Bluedot’s now-traditional opening concert on the Thursday evening will see Mercury-nominated Hannah Peel and Paraochestra take to the stage.
Also confirmed on the bill are psychedelic space rockers Spiritualized, current chart-toppers Yard Act, Warp Records mainstay Squarepusher, multi-instrumentalist composer Anna Meredith, the legendary likes of A Certain Ratio and Tim Burgess, and techno producer and creator of the official theme for the 2023 Women’s World Cup Kelly Lee Owens.
Bluedot 2022’s science programme will welcome key speakers including Radio 4’s Jam Al-Khalili, British filmmaker David Olusoga, space scientist Monica Grady, and many more.
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Comedians such as Desiree Burch, Olga Koch, Robin Ince and Ahir Shah will also be making appearances as part of the culture programme.
How much are tickets?
Bluedot Festival. Credit: Lucas Sinclair
There are still some tickets available for Bluedot festival.
Last release weekend tickets for adults are £205.25 including booking fees (then it’s £87 for 11-15 year olds, and £27.50 for children aged between six and 10 years old).
If you want to add on early Thursday entry, it’s £31.90 for adults.
You can also add on access to the VIP Village for £110.00 including booking fees.
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Where is Bluedot festival and how do I get there?
Bluedot Festival. Credit: George Harrison
Bluedot takes place at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
If you’re making your own way there, you’ll need to use the postcode SK11 9DW.
There are also coach travel packages available with National Express from cities around the UK.
What are the gate times?
The weekend campsite will open from midday on Thursday 21 July for those with a Thursday add-on ticket. For everyone else, it will open from 9am on the Friday.
For Friday, Saturday and Sunday, gates to the festival will be open between 9am and 9pm.
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What’s the camping situation?
Bluedot Festival. Credit: Scott Salt
There are several camping options to choose from at Bluedot, and general weekend tickets include access to the standard camping site.
There are also a limited number of boutique campsites at The Colony, which are selling out quick – you can browse remaining availability at discoverthebluedot.com/accommodation.
Bluedot has included family-only areas within the standard campsite for those bringing children, and space for live-in vehicles.
Bluedot is a fully cashless festival across its bars, food stands, merchandise and other points of sale, in a bit to improve customer experience with faster service and shorter queue times.
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Unlike 2019, the festival won’t be operating a payment wristband system and will instead just be using standard payment methods.
That means all major credit and debit cards can be used, either as contactless or chip and pin, as well as wearable forms of payment like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Featured image: Lucas Sinclair
Audio
A ‘Primary School Bangers’ gig is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A night of non-stop, nostalgic primary school bangers is heading up to Manchester this year.
The event comes from viral sensation and Glastonbury festival favourite James B Partridge, who’ll be taking his incredibly silly event on the road in 2026.
Expect to hear all those hits that shaped your childhood, whether you were sat cross-legged on a carpet or one of the lucky ones who got to sit on a PE bench in assembly.
His usual setlist includes classics like Sing Hosanna, One More Step Along The World I Go, and When I Needed A Neighbour.
Primary School Bangers will be heading to the beautiful Albert Hall in Manchester in March, along with a run of dates across the UK.
He’s promising ‘classic school-day singalongs, heart-on-sleeve nostalgia, and the infectious joy that has made James a national favourite’.
Most recently, the teacher-turned-performer has been delighting audiences with his Big Christmas Assembly tour, playing to tens of thousands across the country.
James continues to teach primary school children during the week, then goes so far as to shut down the fields of Glastonbury with the crowds he pulls in.
He’s also had appearances on the likes of Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2, The One Show, and Songs of Praise: The Big School Assembly Singalong.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival reveals 2026 line-up across Greater Manchester grassroots venues
Daisy Jackson
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival has today revealed its line-up for this year’s event, which will feature some massive names performing at intimate grassroots venues in Greater Manchester.
This year’s inner-city music festival will take place between Wednesday 25 and Sunday 28 March, at venues including Band on the Wall, YES, and even the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.
And the headliners are huge, including Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, and BRIT Award Critics’ Choice winner Jacob Alon.
Ticket-holders will also have the chance to see DJ sets from the likes of Beth Ditto and Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam & Nathan Shepherd, Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night.
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “Independent grassroot venues are vital to the UK’s music ecosystem and at 6 Music, we’re proud to support what they do.
“So, it makes sense for the next evolution of the 6 Music Festival to take place in these special spaces, collaborating with new partners and celebrating Manchester’s incredible music legacy, as well as the next generation of artists.”
Nick Grimshaw says: “So excited to be back at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester. Bringing a whole host of excellent artists and showcasing them at grassroots venues – these independent spaces are increasingly under threat but are vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow, and truly flourish. I can’t wait!”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says: “Greater Manchester’s music scene has always been driven by its grassroots venues and independent spirit. They’re vital to nurturing new talent and keeping our cultural life vibrant.
“It’s fantastic to see the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival celebrating those spaces and shining a spotlight on the creativity that continues to flourish right across our city region.”
BBC 6 Music Festival line-up in full
Weds 25 March – BBC Introducing
TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Abdi at Band on the Wall from 7pm
Thursday 26 March
Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm
Friday 27 March
Bloc Party + The Horrors at Band on the Wall from 7pm
Yard Act + Sorry at YES from 7pm
Indie Forever club night with Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto + Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam + Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls at YES from midnight
Saturday 28 March
Courtney Barnett + Jacob Alon at Band on the Wall from 7pm
Lynks + Tiberius b at YES from 7pm
6 Music Festival and FaT OuT present Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS at Eccles Town Hall Ballroom from 3pm
Homobloc presents 6 Music’s Festival’s Closing Party with Olof Dreijer at YES from 11.30pm
The festival will extend to the BBC 6 Music broadcast schedule too, with some shows broadcast live from MediaCity and plenty of highlights shared from the festivalt oo.
All 6 Music and BBC Radio Manchester programmes will be available on BBC Sounds for 30 days after broadcast. Performances and DJ sets will be added to BBC Sounds during the festival.
Headliners will each present a four-part series of Artist in Residence, inviting listeners on a journey into their musical soul, in the lead-up to the festival (Bloc Party (9-12 Feb), Courtney Barnett (16-19 Feb), Kelly Lee Owens (2-5 Mar), The Horrors (9-12 Mar), Jacob Alon (16-19 Mar) and Yard Act (23-26 Mar)).
In addition, a new eight-part BBC Sounds podcast, The Rise and Fall of Madchester, presented by Steve Lamacq and Music & Cultural PR Creative, Alison Bell, will be available on BBC Sounds from 8am on Monday 16 March.
Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from www.bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival at 10am on Thursday 12 February.
Daisy Jackson -
20th July 2022 
