Festivals have long been cosmic experiences – havens of music and hedonism designed to whisk you away from reality for 72 hours. Of course, those mind-melting moments usually arrive at 6am in the dance tent rather than watching someone in a lab coat wielding a telescope. Not so in 2017. Blame Brian Cox, blame The Big Bang Theory, but music festivals have gone giddy for geekery. “It simply isn’t enough to put bands on in a field anymore,” says Paul Reed, general manager of the Association of Independent Festivals. “Anyone with money who wants to take a huge gamble can do that.” He says areas such as science are a natural step for experiential boutique festivals, which offer alternative activities alongside the music, and who are keen to broaden their audiences and offer them “a more cerebral experience”.

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