2020 Announcement

As you are all painfully aware, on the morning of Thursday 8th August 2019 we were forced to bow to mother nature in the face of an unusually vicious storm. This year was to be the third in Houghton’s powerful and already well defined history. The strength of spirit created by the festival cancellation was a symbolic reminder of the integrity and resilience that exists within the electronic music community.

Given the unprecedented circumstances we had no alternative but to stop the event ahead of the impending storm. Safety and wellbeing are of utmost importance, there is no justification for risking human life. The festival simply could not happen… Obviously, the consequences were devastating for all concerned. Our greatest fear, given the unpredictability of British weather was that having cancelled the event the storm would not strike. Such was not the case, the storm was in fact far stronger than predicted, with ferocious winds realising incredibly dangerous speeds.

An enormous amount of work goes into the creation of Houghton and after many months of planning, preparation and subsequently building, the festival site was presented in all it’s glory. Suffice to say, dismantling it immediately after building it was indeed surreal. That said we are confident that the decisions made at a time of extreme challenge were utterly correct. We take great pride in our reputation and have made every effort to recover swiftly and with dignity. Understandably, the aftermath has been complicated but by navigating the cancellation process thoroughly and in a professional manner. We feel this extraordinary debacle has now reached a satisfactory conclusion and are delighted to announce that the festival will take place next summer.

Houghton 2020 will take place on the second weekend of August from Thursday 6th, until Sunday 9th.

Preference will be given to our loyal audience, via private pre-sale ticket links. These will be sent to everyone who had a ticket for this year’s show via email on Wednesday 9th October and will go live at midday. The repurchase of your allocated tickets will only be possible through these links. The links will be valid for one month only. After this period tickets will go on general sale.

This year each guest was due to be given a book upon arrival. The book is a further collaboration between us and our good friends Ransom Note, showcasing the creative values and personality behind the festival itself. Whilst originally intended as a gift, it seems appropriate that it should now be presented as a cultural offering. A lasting document for the festival that never happened. The 147 page book features long form interviews, illustrations, photography, think pieces, musical reflection and beyond.

With the help and cooperation of a network of independent record stores all ticket holders can collect a copy of the annual in person for free by simply presenting proof of the original ticket purchased through Resident Advisor. This offer will last for a period of 2 weeks from today:

+ Phonica, London
+ Rye Wax, London
+ Rubadub, Glasgow
+ Tribe Records, Leeds
+ Piccadilly Records, Manchester
+ Cafe Artum, Birmingham
+ Idle Hands, Bristol
+ The Love Inn, Bristol
+ Forever Records, Nottingham
+ Rough Trade, Nottingham
+ Contemporary, Nottingham
+ Montana, Nottingham

Anyone unable to get to a store can collect their book online by purchasing a record via Juno Records or alternatively via Ransom Note (50p charge goes to the Marcus Intalex Foundation). In addition to the book, the commemorative merchandise which would have been on sale this year is now available from the Houghton Web Store.

There are already high levels of anticipation for next year’s celebration, our collective excitement is held gently in suspension. With the benefit of a full dress rehearsal, we will return with an even greater sense of purpose.

The spirit of Houghton is stronger than ever.