Organisers of Lancaster’s Highest Point say it ‘isn’t the end’ after announcing the music and arts festival wouldn’t be taking place in 2025.
The annual event usually takes place in Williamson Park every May, and this year welcomed headline acts Busted and Tom Odell, as well as performances including from Eurovision star Sam Ryder, Gok Wan and Cat Burns, and a host of other acts and DJs, right across the park.
It ended on the Sunday with a Big Family Day Out event, which saw Beyond Radio host a day of entertainment on the main stage.
Bosses of the event say economic factors and increasing costs mean the festival simply cannot continue in its previous form, and they wouldn’t be proceeding with Highest Point next year.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Highest Point said: ‘’While this may not come as a surprise to some, it’s a decision we’ve come to after an incredible few years of events, navigating various challenges along the way. Each year, we’ve worked hard to deliver the best possible experience within our budget.
‘’However, with rising costs - including significant fees for artists - it has become increasingly difficult to sustain an event of this scale in Williamson Park. Unfortunately, it’s not feasible to continue losing money year after year without reassessing our approach.’’
‘’Highest Point has always been organised by a dedicated, small team from the local community. Unlike some larger music festivals, we do not have the backing of major booking power or receive funding based on self-reported figures.''
Above: Beyond Radio's Vanessa Ramsden interviews Sam Ryder at the 2024 Highest Point
‘’Our income relies solely on ticket sales and bar revenues, which, given the current climate, simply isn’t enough to break even.
‘’This isn’t the end for us; 2025 will just be a pause for the festival, and we look forward to what the future may hold.’’
Back in April, Rich Dyer (pictured above) from the organising team laid bare the costs of running the event, disclosing the bill for staging Highest Point was around £1.1 million, and in all the years it had been held, it had yet to break even.
Highest Point began in 2018, and headliners at previous Highest Point festivals have included the Kaiser Chiefs, Richard Ashcroft, Sister Sledge, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, James and Anne-Marie.
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