Thousands descend on Jodrell Bank in Cheshire for Bluedot

Bluedot takes over the world-famous observatory for its fifth renewal and for the first time since 2019 due to the covid pandemic.

Thousands of festival-goers began streaming through the doors on Thursday (July 21) in a bid to grab the prime camping spots, which come with free views of the stunning Lovell telescope.

The early arrivals grabbed the best camping spots with stunning views of the Lovell telescope

After record breaking temperatures earlier in the week, the beginning of the festival – which will see headline performances from the likes of Groove Armada and Björk – saw a return to a typical, wet British summer.

However, those that arrived at the site on Thursday, were treated to a stellar performance of ‘The Unfolding’ by Hannah Peel and Paraorchestra.

The Mercury Prize-nominated Peel teamed up with the Bristol-based orchestra, who describe themselves as the world’s first ensemble of virtuoso professional disabled and non-disabled musicians.

Hannah Peel and Paraorchestra open Bluedot

The Unfolding is the resulting album from their collaboration and was released in the spring – with the live performance seemingly taking it onto another stratosphere.

The opening night ended with the star of the show – the Lovell telescope panning around to act as a backdrop for some utterly stunning projections. There is no other festival with such a unique selling point as this.

Friday will see performances from Northwich’s own Tim Burgess, as well as East London’s Kojey Radical, space rock band Spiritualized as well as the wonderful Jane Weaver.

Groove Armada - who for nearly two decades have been established as one of the planet’s best loved and biggest selling dance acts – are the headline act.

They are bound to get the crowds dancing, whatever the weather.