10 artists to check out at 2024’s Houghton Festival

Houghton Festival is fast approaching, and we very are excited to attend this year’s edition, to be held from August 8th to 11th at Houghton Hall in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

The 2024 lineup includes debuts by artists such as  Dopplereffekt, Mala, African Head Charge, Actress, Alabaster De Plume, Barker, Daniel Avery, Grace Sands, James Massiah, John Tejada with Reggie Watts, Or:la, Sherelle, Skee Mask, Serge (Clone),  and more. Alongside these newcomers, the event will also feature some familiar faces like Ricardo Villalobos, Actress (Live), Rhadoo, Sonja Moonear, Marie Davidson (Live), Ben U.F.O., Steffi, Terry Francis, tINI, Craig Richards, Mr. Scruff, Joy Orbison, Francesco Del Garda, Zip, Matthew Johnson (Live), Nicolas Lutz, and many others.

To increase the anticipation of this year’s Houghton Festival we have curated a list of must-see artists. For more info and tickets click here.

Read our 2023 review here.

1. Ben UFO.

Ben Thomson, better known as Ben UFO, is a DJ hailing from London and one of the founders of Hessle Audio. He launched his career on the pirate radio station Sub FM before moving on to host a show on Rinse FM. He regularly performs alongside his Hessle Audio co-founders, Pangaea and David Kennedy (Pearson Sound).

2. BINH

Binh brings an otherworldly approach to club music. Attending one of his sets, you can anticipate a blend of paranoid 130 BPM techno interwoven with eerie electro records, genres he champions alongside artists like Nicolas Lutz and his former Treatment collaborator, Onur Özer. His distinctive style is fueled by an insatiable passion for vinyl, with a penchant for unearthing forgotten gems from the 90s. Binh stands out as one of the pioneers of his DJ generation, celebrated for his devotion to this dynamic style which has also heavily influenced his recent productions.

3. Christian AB

Christian AB, a London native, was immersed in music from an early age, with vivid memories of his father spinning records spanning from disco to acid house, igniting his curiosity. Inspired by this early exposure, he embarked on a journey to build his own collection and pursue a career as a DJ. This journey has led him to renowned clubs worldwide, including fabric in his hometown, Space Ibiza, and Club Der Visionaere in Berlin, with notable stops across the US. His sets are characterized by a signature emotion, earning him opportunities to share the stage with esteemed artists like Raresh, Praslea, Rhadoo, Onur Ozer, and Mayaan Nidam, among others.

4. DJ Masda

Hailing from Shizuoka, Japan, DJ Masda was born and raised at the foot of Mt. Fuji. He began his musical journey in the ’90s, honing his skills spinning vinyl records. Over the years, Masda has delved deeper into the realms of house and techno, showcasing a meticulous approach to track selection and mixing. Renowned for seamlessly blending the old with the new, his sets resonate with audiences, earning him a reputation as one of the premier selectors in the Japanese underground scene. Catch him live or tune into his highly-regarded podcast mixes to experience his mastery firsthand.

5. Double Agent 7

Double Agent 7 is a DJ duo specializing in 50s blues and 60s R&B/soul floor-fillers, spinning exclusively on vinyl 45s. Their vinyl-only sets have rocked venues worldwide, from Berlin to Bangkok, Paris to Barcelona, and from Ho Chi Minh City to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. They’ve also graced the stages of numerous festivals, including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Lost Village, and many others.

6. Sansibar

Sansibar stands out as a unique cosmic producer. With a genre-defying sound, he has released music on esteemed labels such as Kalahari Oyster Cult, Natural Sciences, Émotsiya, Darknet, and Avoidance, solidifying his position as one of the most captivating talents in the European scene. His repertoire spans from floor-focused tracks blending electro, techno, house, jungle, and new beat, to immersive downtempo soundscapes and expansive lucid visions drenched in layers of daze and euphoria. Sansibar’s sonic landscape is a boundless multiverse of textures and rhythms, captivating listeners with its gravity-defying power of immersion.

7. Horse Meat Disco

Horse Meat Disco is synonymous with Sunday night revelry in London, credited with revitalizing the original dance music genre on the global stage. The four-member DJ collective comprising Luke Howard, Severino Panzetta, James Hillard, and Jim Stanton kicked off their disco escapades on New Year’s Day in 2004 at The Eagle in Vauxhall. Alongside their iconic equine neon logo (“Our Eiffel Tower”), their brand of respectful yet revisionist revelry has ushered in its own brand of futurism, reshaping the nightclub landscape in London. “We prioritize music above all else, with the revelry following suit,” they assert, emphasizing their unique approach to nightlife.

8. Mathew Jonson

Mathew Jonson is truly one of a kind. He has crafted one of the most unmistakable voices in electronic dance music: his tracks are instantly recognizable as his own. Yet, each track stands out uniquely, with no two sounding alike. His music embodies a rare blend of mass appeal and intricate musicality. With a profound understanding of the dance floor’s demands and the fundamental principles of house and techno, he has consistently defied conventions, infusing elements borrowed from electro to drum’n’bass. Jonson maintains exacting standards for sound and presentation. Whether on stage or in the studio, his commitment to analog equipment and live performance sets a high bar for electronic music, transcending the ease of digital composition with a hands-on approach that prioritizes authenticity and creativity.

9. Maybe Laura 

Maybe Laura, born in Lithuania, possesses a musical prowess and skillful command of the decks. Her advanced sounds and adept manipulations have garnered attention not only locally but internationally as well. She has graced the stages of renowned festivals like Houghton and Field Manoeuvres, where she undoubtedly gained numerous new fans. Laura’s journey to success extends beyond the realm of music. From excelling in gymnastics at the age of seven to mastering brass instruments, singing in local choirs, and participating in her hometown folklore group, she has embraced diverse artistic pursuits. Additionally, her involvement in a choreographic theatre project underscores her multifaceted talents. Across various genres spanning classical, jazz, contemporary, experimental, and modern, Laura’s passion for sound and motion has remained at the core of her artistic endeavors.

10. Moxie

Moxie stands as a formidable force in the realm of dance music, renowned for her iconic voice and revered as one of London’s most sought-after DJs and radio hosts. She remains a steadfast presence in clubs and festivals worldwide. Few artists have left as indelible a mark on their local scene as Alice Moxom, known by her acclaimed alias, Moxie. A true Londoner at heart, she has played a pivotal role in preserving her city’s grassroots dedication to dance music through her contributions to community radio, event organisation, and label A&R.

If you haven’t made your summer plans yet, we highly recommend grabbing your festival tickets before they sell out. Houghton Festival will be held from August 8th to 11th, just a few hours’ drive from London in Norfolk.  For more info click here.