‘Microdot’ will be an official family event in the city centre

Famous science and music festival bluedot, which will take place at Jodrell Bank Observatory from 18-21 July, has teamed up with Manchester property company Bruntwood to host a free-to enter family event in the city centre beforehand.

‘Microdot’ is to be the official warm-up party to the Cheshire event and will take place at food, drink and retail destination Hatch - part of Circle Square on Manchester’s Oxford Road - on Saturday 15 June from midday until 11pm.

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DJ Paulette will play a set at Microdot

Music acts will include Cassetteboy and David Attenborough’s JungleBoogie, a dance party paying tribute to the UK’s most loved biologist, in a night full of nature visuals and genres spanning funk to disco. Other acts include DJ Paulette and Werkha, with more to be announced.

Kid-friendly entertainment from Space Rebel Princess, roaming performers, fun activities plus further family acts are to be revealed over the coming weeks.

As at bluedot itself, Microdot will feature 'DotTalks', curated by Jodrell Bank Observatory, featuring Tim O’Brien, Tana Joseph (Research Fellow at the Royal Society) and the Level Up Human podcast. Throughout the launch event, there’ll also be screenings of bluedot music performances from previous years.

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Microdot will be a pre-launch event to bluedot

Microdot will also be the first opportunity for the public to see the newly expanded Hatch as it trebles in size; evolving into the city’s biggest multipurpose village of dining, retail and entertainment, as well as creative workspace and social event spaces.

Activity will take place across Hatch’s new stage, social spaces and shipping container roof terraces; celebrating the warm up to bluedot, and a new era for Hatch and Bruntwood.

Bluedot returns to Jodrell Bank Observatory from 18-21 July with four days of music, science and cosmic culture: featuring music headliners Kraftwerk 3-D, NewOrder and Hot Chip; key science speakers Helen Sharman and James Burke; and more.


The full programme for Microdot will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Free Entry ‘priority access’ tickets are now available here