Set at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, Bluedot unfolds beneath the massive Lovell Telescope, which completely defines the atmosphere. It’s not just a backdrop—it becomes part of the show, lighting up with visuals and turning the main stage into something almost otherworldly.

There’s a sense of space, of ideas, of people actually looking around rather than just charging between stages. It’s as much about science, exploration and creativity as it is about music, which gives it a very different tone from the start.

Even when the weather turned—heavy rain turning parts of the site into thick mud—the atmosphere never really dipped. That resilience says a lot about the crowd—it’s not a rowdy free-for-all, it’s a genuinely engaged, up-for-it audience.

Max Richter opened things in a completely different way to most festivals—backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, delivering something closer to a cinematic, almost meditative experience than a typical headline set.

Róisín Murphy brought the energy back up with a headline set full of character—part gig, part performance art. Constant outfit changes, huge personality, and a crowd fully locked in despite the rain.

Unfortunately, the overnight downpour forced organisers to close the site to new arrivals. Despite hoping to catch Grace Jones headlining the final night, it wasn’t to be.

Bluedot hasn’t returned since 2023, and it’s genuinely missed. It’s the kind of festival that offers something different—and hopefully, it finds its way back.