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Bluedot unveils huge lineup for ‘A Weekend In Outer Space’ festival in July

Aiming to bring the Jodrell Bank experience online after the popular festival was cancelled due to coronavirus, 'A Weekend In Outer Space' is free to view and will include music, science talks, culture and family shows.

The Manc The Manc - 20th July 2020

Elbow, Orbital and Daniel Avery will all star on the bill for a virtual weekend event hosted by science and music festival Bluedot.

The three-day, intergalactic-style showcase will also feature live performances from Roni Size, BCUC and Ana Matronic’s Deep Space Disco, as well as interviews and panels including Brian Cox, Ann Druyan and Jim al-Khalili.

Musician Tim Burgess will be joined by New Order, Metronomy and Ibibio Sound Machine for album listen-alongs, with immersive ‘journey to outer space’ and ‘return to Earth’ shows hosted by Henge.

Orbital

Aiming to take the Jodrell Bank experience online after the popular festival was cancelled due to coronavirus, ‘A Weekend In Outer Space’ is free to view and will include music, science talks, culture and family shows.

The event – which will take off on 24 July and run right through the weekend – is raising money for Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre; the award-winning science centre at the observatory which is currently closed.

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The Discovery Centre is part of The University of Manchester and a registered charity – attracting more 1.3 million visitors since 2011.

Over 85% of its income is generated from admission, gift shop and cafe sales – and fans can support the centre by contributing to the fundraiser online.

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Hugh Venables / Geograph

Bluedot 2020 has been postponed to July 2021, with Bjork, Groove Armada and Metronomy confirmed as headliners.

Discover more about ‘A Weekend In Outer Space’ on the official website.

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DJ Michael Bibi forced to pull out of Parklife following rare cancer diagnosis

Danny Jones Danny Jones Michael Bibi cancer Parklife tinnitus

DJ and producer Michael Bibi has sadly had to pull out of this weekend’s Parklife festival as well as cancel his upcoming shows after tragically being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

The London-based electronic artist was set to take the stage at Heaton Park on Sunday and had numerous other big festival gigs to play this month but following the heartbreaking announcement shared on his socials and confirmation by Parklife themselves, these shows have now been cancelled.

Writing on Instagram, Bibi said: “Hello world, writing this post is a hard one.. last week I was diagnosed with CNS Lymphoma. A very rare cancer that affects the brain & spine.

“Unfortunately, it’s moving fast and l to have to stay in hospital starting treatment immediately. Typing this message doesn’t quite seem real and I’m sorry for the bad news.”

The 32-year-old went on to close his message by adding, “I don’t know what lies ahead, I’m tired but I know I am strong and I won’t let this beat me. I will be back stronger for you all. Love Bibi.”

Bibi had already cancelled numerous shows just last month following ongoing tinnitus-related issues, including all of his USA tour dates as a related ear-ringing condition, but was unaware of the deeper underlying problem after doctors informed him it was “more of a neurological problem“.

While CNS lymphoma (sometimes called primary cerebral lymphoma) is a rare and aggressive form of cancer, it can be treated and even cured especially in younger cases; however, the survival rate is low and the disease can return after five to 10 years after the first diagnosis.

The comments underneath his post are filled with fellow artists like Steve Aoki, Peggy Gou, Tiesto, Disclosure and more expressing their sadness but offering their support to the hugely popular DJ following the news. Parklife Festival themselves put out their own heartfelt message too.

Parklife confirmed Michael Bibi will no longer be performing following his cancer diagnosis.

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Describing him as “an absolute superstar of dance music culture”, Bibi was set to play The Valley Stage — the second-biggest at the festival — in the same massive slot as fellow DJ, Skrillex, the following day.

The organisers went on to wish him a “safe and speedy recovery”, signing off by assuring him that “Manchester sends [their] love and support”. We certainly do.

Our thoughts are with Michael along with his friends and family at this difficult time.

Get well soon, Bibi.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Michael Bibi (via Instagram)/ Parklife (via Twitter)

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Lewis Capaldi cancels gigs to ‘rest and recover’ with loved ones after ‘struggling’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Lewis Capaldi has said in an emotional statement that he will be cancelling all of his upcoming commitments until his Glastonbury appearance.

The Scottish singer-songwriter said that he had been ‘struggling’ with the whirlwind promo tour for his newest album, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent.

He said that the last few months had been ‘full on both mentally and physically’ and he needed to take some time to rest and recover at home in Glasgow with his friends and family.

The apologetic message shared on social media apologised to fans who had already spent money on hotels and travel for the affected shows, which included an intimate gig in Leeds tonight, The Hoot reports.

Lewis, who is almost as well-known for his brilliant sense of humour as for his chart-topping music, announced that he wanted to be at his best for Glastonbury.

It means he has pulled out of his incredibly intimate show at The Wardrobe in Leeds, which was due to take place on Tuesday 6 June 2023.

Only ticket-holders for Reading & Leeds Festival, of which Lewis is a headliner, had access to tickets for the exclusive show this week.

Taking to Instagram, Lewis wrote: “Hi everyone, hope you’re well. This is a really difficult message, and one that hurts me a lot to have to type, but I’m really sorry to say that I’m going to have to cancel all commitments from now until I play Glastonbury on June 24th.

“It’s been such an incredible time leading into this new album, and seeing all of the support from everyone has been beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. That said, the last few months have been full on both mentally and physically, I haven’t been home properly since Christmas and at the moment I’m struggling to get to grips with it all.

“I need to take a moment to rest and recover, to be at my best and ready for Glastonbury and all of the other incredible shows coming up so that I’m able to continue doing what I love for a long time to come. I need to take these three weeks to be Lewis from Glasgow for a bit, spend some time with my family and friends and do normal life things that are an important part of me feeling better. I hope everyone understands.

“I know many of you will have spent money on travel or hotels, which I appreciate more than ever with how difficult things are economically at the moment, so I’m extremely sorry for the impact this will have. The fact you’re willing to come out and spend your time, money and love on these shows is beyond comprehension and I feel incredibly lucky.

“I’m getting all the help and support I need from the incredible people around me who I’m so grateful for.

“I take none of this for granted and can’t wait to be back doing it again. All my love Lewis x”

Featured image: Alexandra Gavillet

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