42 pictures that give taste of a successful first night for this year's Lancaster Highest Point festival

By Debbie Butler

Published 12th May 2023, 16:12 GMT

Updated 15th May 2023, 16:33 GMT

Lancaster’s Highest Point Festival kicked off with a bang last night (May 11) in Williamson Park.

Headline act Hacienda Classical – featuring Nineties icon Bez from the Happy Mondays – wowed the crowd with an almost two-hour long set and finished to rapturous applause.

Our photographer Josh Brandwood captured these pictures of the opening night. We hope you enjoy them.

Click here to read how Bez from the Happy Mondays gave a Morecambe charity his backing.

You can see pictures from Friday and Saturday here

And if you went along to The Big Family Day Out, see if you can spot yourself in our pictures by clicking here

A member of the House Gospel Choir.

. Highest Point

A member of the House Gospel Choir. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hacienda Classical were Thursday's headline act.

. Highest Point

Hacienda Classical were Thursday's headline act. Photo: Josh Brandwood

These four are in the pink.

. Highest Point

These four are in the pink. Photo: Josh Brandwood

This group of friends are sitting comfortably.

. Highest Point

This group of friends are sitting comfortably. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Highest Point 2023 charity partner, St John's Hospice.

. Highest Point

Highest Point 2023 charity partner, St John's Hospice. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hacienda Classical had the wow factor.

. Highest Point

Hacienda Classical had the wow factor. Photo: Josh Brandwood

A member of the House Gospel Choir.

. Highest Point

A member of the House Gospel Choir. Photo: Josh Brandwood

House Gospel Choir in full swing.

. Highest Point

House Gospel Choir in full swing. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Enjoying the music at Highest Point.

. Highest Point

Enjoying the music at Highest Point. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hacienda Classical performers take a bow.

. Highest Point

Hacienda Classical performers take a bow. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Babatunde Aléshé filmed a segment for The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan at Highest Point on Thursday night.

. Highest Point

Babatunde Aléshé filmed a segment for The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan at Highest Point on Thursday night. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Happy festival goers.

. Highest Point

Happy festival goers. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hands in the air.

. Highest Point

Hands in the air. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Nineties icon Bez on stage at Highest Point.

. Highest Point

Nineties icon Bez on stage at Highest Point. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Feeling the love.

. Highest Point

Feeling the love. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hacienda Classical was a massive hit with the crowd.

. Highest Point

Hacienda Classical was a massive hit with the crowd. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hitting the high notes with the House Gospel Choir;.

. Highest Point

Hitting the high notes with the House Gospel Choir;. Photo: Josh Brandwood

House Gospel Choir.

. Highest Point

House Gospel Choir. Photo: Josh Brandwood

A member of the House Gospel Choir.

1. Highest Point

A member of the House Gospel Choir. Photo: Josh Brandwood

Hacienda Classical were Thursday's headline act.

2. Highest Point

Hacienda Classical were Thursday's headline act. Photo: Josh Brandwood

These four are in the pink.

3. Highest Point

These four are in the pink. Photo: Josh Brandwood

This group of friends are sitting comfortably.

4. Highest Point

This group of friends are sitting comfortably. Photo: Josh Brandwood