Returning from the 7th to 10th August at the Houghton Hall in Norfolk, Houghton Festival entered its ninth edition as one of the UK’s most exciting and thoughtfully curated music and arts experiences. Under the creative direction of DJ Craig Richards, the event offered a resounding celebration of underground electronic music, visual art, and community.
This year saw more debut performances than any other, with names like Aurora Halal, Jennifer Cardini and Objekt making their Houghton debut. These fresh faces joined a roster of returning artists such as Ricardo Villalobos, Ben UFO and Helena Hauff.
The second wave of announcements expanded the lineup even further with 80+ additional acts, including Joy Orbison, Saorise, Binh, Pearson Sound and Moxie.
Houghton’s immersive experience is rooted in its outstanding audio setup: every stage featured d&b audiotechnik sound systems, including 360-degree soundscapes in the Warehouse and pristine playback in woodland glades. The commitment to sound quality and attention to space set a high standard of listening throughout the site.
Meanwhile, the festival’s scenic 1,000-acre estate doubled as an open-air art gallery. Attendees explored works by celebrated sculptors like Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor, and Henry Moore intertwined with new multimedia commissions unveiled this year.
Houghton stands out with its intimate atmosphere; 13 stages tucked within woodland, lakesides, shipping-container nooks, and the enigmatic Terminus stage, where the music runs 24 hours a day.
Its rare 24-hour music license offers attendees a chance to immerse themselves in a weekend long musical journey that holds no boundaries.
Broke Magazine described it as “frequencies so transcendent, they’re nothing short of spiritual,” where attendees could reset in nature and let their ears guide them through spontaneous discovery.
Houghton 2025 delivered an artistic and sonic journey that truly epitomised the vision of Craig Richards’ festival: a refined, immersive retreat where sound, setting, and community fused seamlessly. With landmark debuts, returning heroes, world-class sound design, and a deeply creative landscape, it proved once again that Houghton is not just a festival, but a unique pilgrimage for art enthusiasts of all kinds.
