In 2018, prog house icon Sasha took to the Memorial Stage on Friday. Bringing chill vibes reminiscent of relaxed Ibiza soundscapes, his set perfectly complemented the early summer evening. As the festival's first proper event, it couldn’t have asked for a better start.placeholder image
In 2018, prog house icon Sasha took to the Memorial Stage on Friday. Bringing chill vibes reminiscent of relaxed Ibiza soundscapes, his set perfectly complemented the early summer evening. As the festival's first proper event, it couldn’t have asked for a better start.

Highest Point: 13 pictures of brilliant crowds and acts including Richard Ashcroft, Rag'n'Bone Man and Sophie Ellis-Bextor from down the years

By Debbie Butler
Published 19th Apr 2023, 14:10 GMT
Updated 21st Apr 2023, 15:39 GMT

As the countdown begins to Lancaster’s much loved Highest Point, it’s the perfect time to take a look back at the festival’s best bits over the years.

Set in idyllic Williamson Park, Highest Point annual music festival unites ravers, families, indie kids and everyone in between to enjoy banging tunes over the weekend in May each year.

The festival’s 2023 line-up includes headliners Hacienda Classical, Anne-Marie and Bastille, plus the likes of Freya Ridings, Friendly Fires, Sigma, Sub Focus, Girls Don’t Sync and The Lottery Winners.

Highest Point Festival will take place from Thursday May 11 to Saturday May 13 2023 at Williamson Park in Lancaster. Tickets are available at https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/highest-point-festival/.

Meanwhile, to get you in the mood for this multi-genre haven let’s take a look at some of the festival's highlights over the years.

Following a wild drum and bass set by Wilkinson on a warm evening, all the stages at the Highest Point were closed. Except for The Dell. Crowds were wandering around asking if there were any other sets due to start before setting off in droves to catch Richy Ahmed for one last dance. It felt like the evening had peaked following Wilkinson’s immense set. Little did they know they’d be blown away one last time.

5. Richy Ahmed gifting ravers an incredible final dance on Friday in 2021

Following a wild drum and bass set by Wilkinson on a warm evening, all the stages at the Highest Point were closed. Except for The Dell. Crowds were wandering around asking if there were any other sets due to start before setting off in droves to catch Richy Ahmed for one last dance. It felt like the evening had peaked following Wilkinson’s immense set. Little did they know they’d be blown away one last time. Photo: Submit

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Just in front of the stately Ashton Memorial sits the Memorial Stage. And Basement Jaxx tore it up in 2022 with a DJ set full of certified bangers including a few of their own tunes. And with the stage directly below the memorial, the lights flickering up the building were simply stunning.

6. Basement Jaxx bringing the party to the Ashton Memorial stage

Just in front of the stately Ashton Memorial sits the Memorial Stage. And Basement Jaxx tore it up in 2022 with a DJ set full of certified bangers including a few of their own tunes. And with the stage directly below the memorial, the lights flickering up the building were simply stunning. Photo: Robin Zahler

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Hacienda Classical, who performed at the festival’s original one-off event in 2016, went on to headline the Sunday in 2018 bringing an incredible weekend to the perfect close. There wasn’t a single soul who wasn’t enthralled by the unrivalled sounds of yesteryear’s most iconic tracks. Hacienda Classical are back again for 2023.

7. Hacienda Classical bringing the throwback vibes

Hacienda Classical, who performed at the festival’s original one-off event in 2016, went on to headline the Sunday in 2018 bringing an incredible weekend to the perfect close. There wasn’t a single soul who wasn’t enthralled by the unrivalled sounds of yesteryear’s most iconic tracks. Hacienda Classical are back again for 2023. Photo: Submit

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Opening the 2022 edition with hit after hit after hit, Ashcroft’s iconic tracks had a sea of people waving their pints in the air as they perched on their mate's shoulders. Heads were thrown back as the crowd belted out every word with an unreal emotional crescendo that was Bittersweet Symphony. It was electric.

8. Richard Ashcroft’s indie masterclass

Opening the 2022 edition with hit after hit after hit, Ashcroft’s iconic tracks had a sea of people waving their pints in the air as they perched on their mate's shoulders. Heads were thrown back as the crowd belted out every word with an unreal emotional crescendo that was Bittersweet Symphony. It was electric. Photo: Submit

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