A celebration of space science, UFOs + music in the dark skies capital of the UK
Cosmic Frequenices is a grassroots festival that explores astrophysics, UFOs, sci-fi and music, asking the question ‘Are we alone in the Universe?’. The festival has emerged from the gravitational wave of the SKX Funkanauts and their fellow sonic voyagers. We are enthusiastic about space science, UFOs/ UAPs and art, and how the frontiers of knowledge expand when science meets fiction. We hope to make this an annual festival that grows bigger, more wonderful and more fun every year!
Hexham is an ancient, enchanted market town in Northumberland UK, nestled next to Hadrians Wall and the spectacular Northumberland National Park, England’s first International Dark Sky Park making it the perfect place to host a celebration of cosmic wonder!
Science + Music + UAPs + SETI + Space
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Science + Music + UAPs + SETI + Space *
19:00 - 23.00
The Frontal Lobe Space Bar at The Tannery: free entry
Hexham’s coolest pub The Tannery hosts a sci-themed cosplay party sure to be the talk of the galaxy! Test your human (or non-human!) intelligence with the Cosmic Quiz, win prizes for best space themed outfit and shake your moonbooties to DJs spinning the hottest trax from outer space!
SKX Funkanauts’ Murmurs From Earth video includes footage of one of their sensational live performances at The Tannery
Saturday 09 August
14:00 - 15.30
The History of Sci Fi Fx at Queens Hall: free entry
Former head of technology at BBC TV production Bill Garrett will give a talk on the history of sci-fi effects in the Queens Hall Arts Centre, alongside a unique collection of costumes, props & other gems from the classic days of TV & film sci-fi on loan from Neil Cole’s incredible Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in Allendale.
Cybermen! Part of the Dr Who collection in the Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in Allendale
19:00 - 21.30
Cosmic Talks: Forum Cinema Hexham: entry £18
In collaboration with Kielder Observatory and Forum Cinema Hexham, this immersive evening will blend live music, expert talks, and celestial visuals in a one-of-a-kind experience. The evening will feature thought-provoking talks from experts in Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), the science of the cosmos, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), interwoven with cosmic music performances by local space-funksters S.K.X Funkanauts. The event celebrates the intersection of art, science, and cosmic curiosity, bringing together music, science communicators, and stargazing communities.
Speakers:
Dr Beatriz Villarroel – Astrophysicist, SETI researcher | The search for alien signals
Ryan Sprague – Somewhere in the Skies podcast | UFOs and how encounters change lives
Steve Crabtree – Emmy Nominated filmmaker former Exec Producer BBC Sky at Night & Horizon | Where science fiction meets science fact
Dan Pye – Kielder Observatory | The wonders of the cosmos
21:30 - 22.30
Meet the stars: £20
After the Cosmic Talks, there will be A VIP Meet and Greet from 9.30 onwards in the Forum Cinema bar. This is your chance to meet our star speakers personally and ask your burning questions! Only 25 tickets available - hurry!
Sunday 10 August
16:30 - 18.30
Close Encounters of The Third Kind Forum Cinema Hexham: £6
Special Cosmic Frequencies screening of Spielberg’s 1977 classic movie of human encounters with UFOs and THEM, a perfect example of the blending of science fact, fiction and art. Spielberg used legendary UFO researcher Jacques Vallée as the model for Lacombe, the French scientist in the film. Fast forward to 2025, and Beatriz Villarroell is also working with Vallée and other scientists on the UFO problem, and they (and other scientists) have recently published a paper on the New Science of UAPs in the high impact journal Progress in Aerospace Space Sciences.
J. Allen Hynek, an American astronomer who also became a leading figure in UFO research, was also a consultant on the film, and the title comes from his Close Encounters Scale as a way to categorize different types of UFO sightings:
Close Encounters of the First Kind: Sighting of a UFO at close range (less than 500 feet).
Close Encounters of the Second Kind: A UFO at close range with physical effects (e.g., heat, electromagnetic interference).
Close Encounters of the Third Kind: A UFO at close range with the observation of animate beings.
Fun fact: Hynek actually makes a cameo appearance towards the end of the film, smoking a pipe at the landing site - see if you can spot him!
Contact the Mothership
If you want more info, participate in the festival, want to support us or have any queries, drop us a line!