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If you notice a steady stream of backpack-clad, sleeping bag-laden Londoners fleeing the city this weekend, don’t worry, you’re not having Glastonbury PTSD. They’re all off to Houghton, the ultra-trendy 24-hour techno festival beloved by the metropolitan elite and, weirdly, Kate Middleton. If Margate is Shoreditch-on-Sea, Houghton is Hackneyshire.
One of the people trekking to the Norfolk countryside this weekend is Hannah Holland, a seminal London DJ who has held residencies in some of the city’s most esteemed clubs. A pivotal presence in London's alternative and queer scene, this weekend Holland is trading south London for the east of England, at a festival she describes as ‘beautifully curated.’ And don’t worry, it’s not just a work trip.
‘I partied all night in the woods after my set,’ she says, ‘I adored the lighting in the trees and the sound of the bass in the woodland, plus a lovely crowd.’
Last year was Holland’s first time at Houghton, but she’s thrilled to be returning to play the Tantrum stage at 8pm today, 8 August. She’s followed by a litany of exciting electronic acts across four days including Joy Orbison, Sherelle and Shy One, as well as the festival’s organiser and Fabric’s longest running resident, Craig Richards.
Aside from Houghton, Holland’s summer highlight so far has been, unsurprisingly, Glastonbury, where she played Genosys in the late night dance area Block 9 on the Saturday. ‘It felt like a real rave peak moment for me, and I was very ready for it,’ she says.
If you didn’t catch her then, maybe you’ve seen those picturesque TikToks doing the rounds of cable cars ascending above an open-air club in Canning Town while the sun sets in the background. That’ll be The Cause, a Holland club favourite. ‘The Adonis day parties at The Cause have been really magical, as always,’ she agrees.
When not busy DJing, Holland spends her summer Fridays hanging out at her bestie’s plant shop HAUS in Brixton Market, or at The Divine, Dalston’s new LGBTQ+ venue from the owners of The Glory. ‘There’s often an alternative drag show on, coinciding with grabbing some Turkish food from Mangal, and catching a movie at the Rio cinema,’ she says.
As for this weekend, well, that’ll be decidedly less chill. For a peek into what she’ll be playing at Houghton and beyond this festival season, Hannah Holland curates this week’s Friday night playlist. Find her five picks below.
FAFF - Heatstroke
SISTRIX - Pleasure Magnet
131bpm - Want More?
Trax Unit - Funky Bug
Byron Yeates & Brandi - Novena
