Bass reverberates through the ground pulsating into my head as I sit, blissed out, cig in hand, under a glowing red cube – our agreed meeting point. Scanning the crowd in search of my friends, my eyes glaze over a sea of colourful lights and 90’s Kangol hats (mine included, lol) as everyone falls deeper into the collective groove.
My phone flashes: 5:35 pm
And then I see them – my silly bunch – skipping toward me, half-stumbling, all smiles. As if on cue, a man streaks past in a bright blue mankini, holding a huge pair of flippers, he shouts, “It is party time bitchesss!”. Welcome to Houghton Festival. Set around the sprawling lake of the vast Norfolk estate, Houghton has long been on my hit list – and for good reason. With its meticulously curated lineup and 24-hour license, Houghton is the ultimate haven for any seasoned raver. While the majority of UK dance festivals focus on big-name DJs, Houghton deviates. Alongside sets from top selectors like Ben UFO, Saoirse, Joy Orbison, Pangea, Gene on Earth and Shanti Celeste, the programme is full of cult favourites who scarcely perform in the country, let alone the countryside. This year included sets from Radioactive Man, Skee Mask, Dopplereffekt and Sochi Tereda to (quite literally) name a few.
Houghton knows its niche and nails it, delivering some of the best outdoor sound systems you’ll experience (believe me, they live up to the hype). It was the first festival I’ve attended with non-stop music, making time feel truly irrelevant. So, I tossed the schedule aside, let my senses take the lead, and lost track of time – discovering new artists and stumbling upon performances I’d been dying to see for years.
Here is how it went:
Thursday
Arriving at the festival, I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of it all – a quick five-minute walk to the campsite, far from the uphill slogs I’d endured at Boomtown over the last four years. With a can in hand and the camp gradually filling up, it felt like the weekend was set for a breeze.
However, when 5 pm hit and we first entered the area, it quickly became clear that this festival was anything but straightforward – no stage signs, no phone signal, just pure spontaneity. After a few hours of chasing sets (and inevitably missing them), I decided it
was time to surrender.
After grabbing some much-needed food to fuel up for the evening, we headed straight into the forest. Lost in Houghton’s seamlessly integrated decor, I became fully immersed in its natural surroundings. The stages, hidden among the trees and tucked into every nook of the forest, create a space where art, nature, and music coexist. The minimalist approach
strips away all distractions, leaving one singular focus: the music.
Deep in the heart of the forest, we stumbled upon Felix Dickenson at the famous 360 Earthling stage. Hugged in nature’s embrace, the 360 venue perfectly captured the spirit of Houghton, and with Dickenson’s infectious mix of modern disco and West Coast techno, it set the bar high for the rest of the weekend.
D Tiffany seamlessly bridged the gap from day to night at the Tatrum stage, where visually stunning retro TV screens flashed behind her as she wove together deep electronic and techno sounds.
To end the night, we caught Lukas Wigflex’s two-hour set, blending techno, house, electro, and bass with his unique experimental flair. The performance was held in The Warehouse, a repurposed barn transformed into a stunning audiovisual experience. Houghton’s usual natural vibe took on a dramatic new twist with powerful sound and a massive audio display
covering the entire wall behind the decks. I had what can only be described as a spiritual experience. Wigflex’s heavy basslines and his skillful mix of old and new left everyone in the barn feeling euphoric, confused and awestruck.
Friday
Waking up to the scorching sun and quickly escaping our oven of a tent, we napped outside. At noon, the bass from the area started booming right on cue. Knowing this would continue until 3 a.m. Monday, the excitement in the air was palpable.
After a much-needed breakfast sarnie, we headed to see Aba Shanti at The Pavilion stage, nestled in the heart of Houghton’s forest. The setting, albeit magical, was not for the faint-hearted. Dust clouds enveloped the stage, and the crowd swiftly equipped
themselves with bandanas and face masks. Despite the dust, Shanti’s sound system delivered deeply meditative dub and a powerful message of consciousness. The entire crowd was energised, as Shanti’s deep roots and reggae guided us through themes of unity, peace, and social justice.
Levelled out, we spent the day basking in the sun and drinking tinnies around the stunning settings of the lake. The plan: R&R before the night began.
Wata Igarashi at Outburst set the night into motion. Fully enclosed in the forest (ngl it took me a whole day to stumble into this stage), Outburst’s natural woodland dome provides one of the most unique acoustic experiences I have ever had. With a smaller crowd compared to other stages, it creates an atmosphere that’s both secluded and completely
immersive. Hailing from Tokyo, Igarashi’s distinctive approach to techno, combining dark, driving basslines with evolving melodies, transported everyone into a state of pure European raving – a feeling usually reserved for outside the UK.
Next was Munich’s genre-blurring Skee Mask at The Warehouse. Having wanted to see him for years, this was truly a bucket list moment. Blending elements of techno, jungle, ambient and 140 dubstep, Skee Mask’s approach to blending created one of the best sets I have ever seen. Scanning the crowd, it was clear that everyone was completely locked in and he left us all speechless.
As night turned back into day, our final stop was the infamous Terminus stage, one of the festival’s two continuous 72-hour stages. Located near the campsite, this massive forested area features a lineup that’s kept under wraps, making it a rite of passage for all electronic music lovers. However, upon arrival, we were met with a three-hour queue. While many party-goers were happily setting up camp and gearing up for non-stop dancing, we decided to call it a night and hit the hay.
Saturday
In full recovery mode, we set out to unwind and explore what Houghton had to offer beyond the dance floor. We headed to The Orchard, situated by the lake, and found a tranquil retreat of yoga sessions and life drawing classes.
In a festival where sleep isn’t a priority, it was refreshing to see such a strong focus on well-being. You could spend your days enjoying sound baths, breathwork meditations, or even taking a scenic train ride around the grounds on a sculpture tour.
Next to The Orchard, The Pinter’s Stage provides a laid-back space to enjoy insightful interviews and thought-provoking poetry. For those seeking something truly extraordinary, the state-of-the-art Armadillo hosts eclectic performances throughout the day. Inside this striking structure, you’ll find cutting-edge sound and lighting systems that create one of Houghton’s most immersive experiences.
After spending the day exploring, we headed over to the Derren Smart Stage to catch the rare performance of the ever-beaming Japanese video game composer Soichi Terada.
Arguably Houghton’s main stage, Derren Smart offers a unique two-layered listening experience. One side features live performances, while the parallel stage opposite showcases DJs, creating an interplay between the two. If you lingered long enough, you’d find yourself caught in a continuous loop of shifting positions as the crowd moved back
and forth between live sets and DJ – it was pretty much two stages in one.
One of the weekend’s highlights, Terada had the entire crowd waving their arms in unison, performing synchronised dance moves and jumping on the spot. His charismatic presence on stage transformed the experience, leaving everyone feeling like they were part of the happiest video game in the world.
As the night struck we racked up the step count, catching acts like Daniel Avery, Craig Richards and Pangea all across the estate. As the sun began to rise, The Stallion Stage, the festival’s second 72-hour extravaganza, hosted The Ghost. By 7:30 a.m, the small tent
was packed, and those who stayed were rewarded with a vibrant mix of funky house and acid beats.
Sunday
With a blend of pure happiness and exhaustion, it was time for a shower and a Sunday morning relaxation in the hammocks, reflecting on the incredible music we had heard so far. We caught Reggie Watts at The Pinter’s Stage, where his humorous performance of beatboxing and DIY tunes had the crowd in fits of laughter. As the sun set on the final stretch, Moodymann took to the Derren Smart stage, delivering a selection of laid-back afro-house tracks that kept everyone’s spirits high.
For our last set of the weekend, we followed our ears and ended up at Outburst, just like true Houghton veterans. John Talabot’s rhythmic grooves and electrifying beats were the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable weekend. As the music faded and reality began to set in, we walked back to the campsite in reflective silence. We sat down, and exchanged glances, and the only question that lingered was: “Same time next year?”
Photography – Khroma Collective