Set 20 miles south of Manchester in the Cheshire landscape, Live from Jodrell Bank is arguably the UK’s most diverse and imaginative setting for a live music event. Throughout the day visitors will take part in experiments and workshops delving into the undiscovered and the obscure; exploring space research and examining the stars; whilst having free access to the newly, redeveloped and magnificent visitor centre. As night falls, the site will be transformed into a musical fervour with this mind-blowing and totally unique show.
Saturday’s Transmission 001 features The Flaming Lips who will bring their space-influenced alternative and ground-breaking rock music to the site. Hailing from Oklahoma City and founded by the eclectic Wayne Coyne, the band have been named as one of the 50 Bands to See Before You Die (Q Magazine). Famed for their elaborate live shows featuring costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands and frontman Wayne Coynes’ signature man-sized bubble, The Flaming Lips are the perfect partner to the backdrop of the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world.
Adding to the eccentricity, British Sea Power bring to the table a promise of intensity and the spectacular with a live performance of their epic rock music. No stranger to astronomy with their Lights Out track created in support of the Dark Skies campaign, the performance is set to ricochet across the entire telescope site. BSP are no strangers to performing in weird and wonderful venues. Whether in a tiny pub in Sussex, the Jersey Opera House, the National History Museum or a church up in the Arctic Circle, Jodrell Bank will certainly add to their impressive catalogue of locations. They even recently embarked on a boat on the River Thames to perform and support the British Wave Power campaign.
Chicago based OK Go are renowned for their infectious songs, inventive videos, surprising live shows and forward-thinking back-end, making them arguably the world’s most bleeding edge independent outfit. Expect the unexpected given the show stopping performances the band are fast becoming famous for.
With diverse influences from Janis Joplin to Alicia Keys, Alice Gold makes the kind of blues tinged indie pop that is infectiously foot tapping. Working with producer Dan Carey, a man whose produce credits include La Roux, Franz Ferdinand, Lily Allen and Kylie, Gold’s debut album, Seven Rainbows is destined to a smash.
The giant Lovell Telescope, playing host to Live from Jodrell Bank, has been quietly probing the depths of space since 1957 being the largest and most powerful radio telescope in the world when it was built. This combined with the fervour of The Flaming Lips, the charm of British Sea Power and the unlimited possibilities from OK Go, Transmission 001 is set to place Jodrell Bank firmly on the map as arguably the most unique and spectacular live show in the UK in 2011.
Kendal Calling co-promoter Andy Smith comments, “We’re a big fan of the unusual and the unique and by combining the incredible venue of Jodrell Bank and an amazing live performance by The Flaming Lips, this is going to undoubtedly be one of their most memorable shows. British Sea Power and OKGO are the perfect accompaniment atmospheric and thrilling performances in equal measure. Roll on July!”