The Chemical Brothers are playing at an observatory in the summer

Bluedot Festival returns for an experimental weekend at Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire from July 19 to 22.

Fittingly with the scientific theme, The Chemical Brothers have been confirmed to headline the weekend, alongside The Flaming Lips and Future Islands, in the shadow of the Lovell Telescope.

Extending to four days for the first time, Bluedot's opening night will see the Halle Orchestra perform live against a backdrop of footage from the original Blue Planet television series.

Also playing across the weekend include The Orb, Little Dragon, Roni Size: 'New Forms' Live, Booka Shade, Adrian Sherwood, Gary Numan and Gilles Peterson.

Ben Robinson, the Bluedot festival director, said: “Heading into our third year we really wanted to go above and beyond and we’re absolutely delighted to announce Blue Planet in Concert for our new Thursday night opening.

“Our mission is to not only erode the boundaries between science, culture, art and technology but to also highlight the beauty and fragility of our planet Earth, and what a better way to achieve this by opening proceedings with such a remarkable and enlightening spectacle. It’s going to be truly incredible and a real festival highlight.

"To be able to offer to these curious minds the return of The Flaming Lips is one thing but to set the stage for The Chemical Brothers to showcase their innovative and ever evolving artistry as both musical innovators and purveyors of world class light and visual stage productions is a true honour and will be a weekend not to miss. The full line-up of musical acts for this year is truly spectacular with so many innovators and diverse sounds and shows throughout the weekend.”

Also at the festival there will be live science experiments, talks held by world-class scientists and Q&A sessions with the world's leading researchers.

Weekend camping tickets are going for £159 upfront or £34.80 on a payment plan.

For more info head over here and see the full list of artists.

The Chemical BrothersThe Flaming LipsFuture IslandsBlue Planet LivePublic Service BroadcastingGary NumanLittle DragonRoni Size: New Forms LiveGilles PetersonUnkleBooka ShadeThe OrbAdrian SherwoodMad ProfessorAlexis TaylorNadine ShahHookwormsBalojiVesselsLost HorizonsLangham Research CentreAndy Smith’s Reach Up Disco WonderlandHuman After All (A Tribute To Daft Punk)Will TrampTo Kill A KingWarm DigitsSnapped AnklesPark HotelAkdkHengeFuture Get DownHusky LoopsPink KinkJw RidleyPearl CityFEHMSpeakmansoundSpace Cassette TakeoverAge Of GlassBarberosTalos 400