On Air Now

No Words

10:00pm - 11:00pm

Now Playing

Michael Nyman

The Burning

INTERVIEW: Highest Point chief 'proud' of lineup for 2024 festival

Rich Dyer from Highest Point was a guest on The Fishy and Foggy Show with Paul Fisher

Highest Point chief Rich Dyer visited the Beyond Radio studio to speak out passionately about the festival just days before this year's event.

Rich, from organisers Skiddle, said he was "proud" of this year's line-up including Tom Odell, Busted and Sam Ryder, who will perform at the music and arts festival in Williamson Park, Lancaster, this weekend (May 10-12).

He had a message for people who are calling for rock superstar Liam Gallagher to headline Highest Point in future, saying "it's not going to happen" for cost reasons.

And Rich also had a great story about a local boy who will get the chance of a lifetime to DJ at this year's event.

LISTEN to Rich Dyer from Highest Point talking this week on Beyond Radio

"Busted are a great band and they're going to put on a great show," he told Paul Fisher on Tuesday night's The Fishy and Foggy Show on Beyond Radio.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. They are a proper band. They play proper instruments. You probably know most of the words. What is there not to love about that?"

Busted (pictured below) will headline Highest Point on Saturday.

"I know it's not Liam Gallagher, because Liam Gallagher costs over a million pounds, right? It's not going to happen, Lancaster. 

"We get a lot of that, why haven't you got these or that. Because we've got Busted, Tom Odell, Sam Ryder, we've got our line-up. I'm so proud. 

"I get a lot of messages. This is our festival that we love and we create. There are people, who are being very cut-throat and telling me (their) opinion, it can be quite upsetting. If you don't like what we're doing, just keep it to yourself. Go and see something else in Lancaster.

"We love the festival. The festival hasn't really made any money ever because it's a very expensive thing to do.

"In the middle of our plan, was the most disruptive thing to happen to society ever, apart from World War 2. That was Covid. That changed things up a bit. But our plan is progressing. 

"Yes we did book Richard Ashcroft (in 2022). Richard Ashcroft cost as much as the average house price in Morecambe, right? He was excellent.

"But if not enough people come and you lose a lot of money on that show, then you can't continue to do that, right? I'm yet to convince (the council) to put £10 on everyone's Council tax bill and let everyone in for free. We could do it that way."

Richard Ashcroft is pictured below performing at Highest Point 2022.

"I know some businesses will be quieter because of us (this weekend), but other businesses will be heaving," he said.

"I don't want to moan. We are buzzing to bring this festival to Lancaster every year. But it (needs) people behind it."

Rich also spoke about why there has been a change in the stages set-up in Williamson Park this year, the Lancaster Rocks tribute bands night on Sunday, and how a young local drum 'n' bass fan is getting his chance to actually DJ at the festival on Friday.

"Last year we had Turno, a great DJ," he said.

"While Turno was playing his new track, and this little lad was on his dad's shoulders, having the absolute rave of his life. The kid is called Chase.

"His dad sent a video to Turno and said thanks, it was the kid's first show. Turno was made up. He bought Chase some DJ kit, sent him it. Chase has been practicising all year and he's buzzing for it.

"If he's got the confidence to do it, then he's good enough for me. If that kid gets to play a proper stage, putting together the tunes that he's been practising and practising and practising, then good on him. If that kid goes on to make some decent records and make some decent shows, and we've just had a little part of that (that will be great)."

Read more: Highest Point festival stage times: all you need to know - Beyond Radio

Highest Point team 'excited' for sunny weekend as prep continues ahead of Lancaster festival - Beyond Radio

Beyond Radio at Highest Point festival: All you need to know - Beyond Radio

More from Local News

Recently Played Songs

  • 10:32pm

    The Burning

    Michael Nyman

    Download
  • 10:25pm

    Serenade For Winds; K. 361; 3rd Movement

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  • 10:22pm

    Main Title (From the original motion picture soundtrack to \"the Satanic Rites of Dracula\")

    John Cacavas

Up next on Beyond Radio