Norfolk: Craig Richard's Houghton Festival 2023 reviewed

It was a raver's paradise with belters blasting somewhere on the glorious Norfolk mansions grounds non-stop for 24 hours.

It may surprise many that Craig Richards's brainchild of a festival was even an occasion fit for royalty, with Kate Middleton said to have been spotted seen in the mix.

Mr Richards's kaleidoscopic creation was attentive to details, with the optimum sound quality and meticulously designed stages giving a personable and feral festival experience.

Festival creator Craig Richards (right) performed across a variety of stages over the weekend (Image: Khroma Collective)

The time whizzed by and I forgot my sense of time and place - blink and six hours of two stepping have passed. 

It was a hedonistic escape where the tame and structured outside world gave way to an atmosphere of love and energy among the crowd.

This was a festival that didn't sleep, where the wobbly tunes from the impeccable sound system radiated nothing but harmony and benevolence, which the mature and calm audience fed off.

Having been to Houghton in 2022, I knew what to expect, though only having been to Latitude - the most middle-class festival in the UK - this summer, I was not quite ready to have my mind blown to the extent that it was.

Smoke and colour explosions at Houghton (Image: Khroma Collective)

Harry Tomsett, 24, from Essex, who was at a rainy Houghton Festival in 2018 and a scorching hot edition last year, said this year's festival was "the best one yet".

He said: "At a time when we’re forever being told that partying isn’t what it used to be, Houghton once again proves that statement wrong.

"From late Thursday evening to the early hours of Monday morning a community of 10,000 revellers formed to enjoy the highest quality dance music that the world has to offer.

"Craig Richards personally curated lineup had something for all ranging from dub to Eeectro and all that was to offer in between.

"On Friday Romanian DJ Raresh played three hours of the finest party music.

"With every track and filter trick he ever increased the revellers' spirit to fever point - this was the best one yet."

Lasers dazzle the audiences at The Pavillion stage at Houghton 2023 (Image: Bruno Brown)

The lake was a thing of beauty for revellers to appreciate all weekend (Image: Khroma Collective)

READ MORE: My Houghton 2023 Festival preview 

Joel Kiernan, from Brixton, 24, was also returning for his third Houghton Festival.

He said: "Houghton is a truly magical place where the confines of structured society dissipate into music and laughter - a real-life fairytale."

Anastasija Jeremejeva, 25, was at Houghton for the first time.

She said: "I couldn’t fault it. The music, the crowd, the scenery - all were magical.

"It has a special aura, serving as a remarkable haven for pleasure seekers who adore both exceptional music and dancing amidst nature’s embrace."

Lights illuminate over the crowds of revellers at Houghton 2023 (Image: Bruno Brown)

There were many places to relax at Houghton (Image: Khroma Collective)

First-time festivalgoer and Norfolk resident James McGregor, 25, said: “I am so proud to know Norfolk can hold some of the most top-notch music in the scene so perfectly.

"When high-quality music merges with a like-minded crowd, magic is created.

"And Houghton managed to symbiotically form the perfect setting for a magical weekend, it was simply bonkers, a festival like no other.”

For me, the vision of this festival and its boundless potential, and Mr Richards' audacious vision, has consolidated it as the best festival the UK's dance scene has to offer.

And what is even more exciting is it truly feels as though this festival is just getting started.

READ MORE: 'The best one yet' - Mud, music and dancing in the drizzle at Latitude 2023

The lasers pictured in the Quarry at Houghton 2023 (Image: Bruno Brown)

Terminus - the stage tucked away behind the campsite at Houghton (Image: Khroma Collective)

A comparable event, Boomtown, near Winchester, is seven times as big as Houghton and has something to offer everyone. 

But it is perhaps too big and less focused on the music than Houghton.

While writing this review I've felt like the character Raoul Duke from the Johnny Depp movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

This is an event that revels in emotion and fun.

Get me back in the mix, please.

Houghton, until next year.

Review by Bruno Brown

The sunset pictured across the lake at the centre of Houghton Festival (Image: Bruno Brown)

The campsite skyline at night pictured at Houghton 2023 (Image: Bruno Brown)

The Earthling stage has a 360-degree sound system (Image: Khroma Collective)

The music was blaring somewhere across the festival at ALL times (Image: Khroma Collective)