Music festival is cancelled amid ‘sexual assault’ allegations against its director – who faced a backlash for deleted ‘apology’ which led to acts pulling out of show
- HighRise Festival was set to take place from September 8-11 in Cambridgeshire
- Guy Hughes faced a backlash over apology following sexual assault allegations
A music festival has been cancelled amid sexual assault allegations against its director – who then faced a backlash for his deleted apology in which he described consent in relationships as a ‘grey area’.
The inaugural HighRise Festival was set to take place between September 8-11 at Grange Farm in Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire – the same site where the famous Secret Garden Party is held.
However, after several artists pulled out of the four-day camping festival in response to HighRise chief Guy Hughes’ apology, the festival has been cancelled with ticket holders given just two months notice.
Hughes’ 732-word apology, which has since been deleted, saw the festival boss admit to ‘misjudging a matter of consent’, while he also called on society as a whole to be more open about discussing ‘boundaries, desires and fantasies’.
One DJ, who wished to stay anonymous, told MailOnline: ‘I wasn’t going to pull out based on rumours, but when he put out the statement, it confirms it. I can’t condone that behaviour.’
MailOnline attempted to contact Guy Hughes and HighRise Festival multiple times but neither responded.
A UK festival has been cancelled after its organiser Guy Hughes (pictured) was accused of sexual assault before he apologised in a controversial statement where he described consent in relationships as a ‘grey area’
HighRise festival finally announced that it had cancelled the event after several acts pulled out amid sexual assault allegations made against its founder Guy Hughes
HighRise Festival was set to take place between September 8-11 at Grange Farm in Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire – the same site where the famous Secret Garden Party is held. Pictured is the lineup
Online music magazine Resident Advisor reports that Hughes said there were ‘parts of that post that I regret or would reword’.
Outraged ticket holders demanded their money back in the wake of the festival – which promised 23 stages, swimming lakes and boutique camping – falling apart in its first year.
Iration Steppas, Aba Shanti-I, Sinai Sound System and Channel One Sound System were among the artists to drop out.
Amid the sustained pressure to break their silence, the company finally confirmed the festival had been cancelled on Instagram.
‘Due to unforeseen circumstances HighRise Festival 2023 is cancelled,’ it said.
‘Our sincerest apologies go out to all the artists, traders, volunteers, crew and ticket holders who were looking forward to the festival as much as we were.’
They offered to provide refunds or a straight swap for a Secret Garden Party ticket.
In his apology, Hughes had also confessed to giving up alcohol and urged others to do the same and speak to female friends to avoid ‘blurred lines’ in relationships.
Addressing HighRise Festival ticket holders, Hughes said: ‘As there is a lot of conversation around myself and the topic of sexual assault I wanted to take the time to address it and provide some clarity on the situation.
‘I believe… that consent can become a grey area and as a society we need to have more open conversations on this to prevent this from occurring and to allow continuous security in the relationships we are involved in throughout.
He added: ‘For myself personally these experiences have encouraged myself to stop drinking alcohol for an extended period which I would highly recommend to everyone.
Hughes (pictured right) faced a major backlash over his apology statement and later deleted it
Part of Guy Hughes’ 732-word apology which he deleted after receiving a major backlash for it
‘As well as this I have spoken to many close female friends in an attempt to really understand steps I can take to ensure that my future relationships have no blurred lines, and discovered how to really take the time to create a safe, honest and open dialogue space that benefits everyone involved.’
Just four weeks ago, Hughes had posted a video on the festival’s Instagram page excitedly announcing that they had been granted a licence to host up to 20,000 revellers in September. He previously described the festival as the ‘largest project of my life’.
The festival announced that ticket prices would be dropped from £125 to £85 for 24 hours in celebration of the news before they were increased to £150 and £199 for the final release.
But just days later, multiple artists started to pull out of the festival, alluding to ‘allegations of sexual assault’.
One group said: ‘Due to a lack of action from the director of High Rise festival, and subsequent censoring of comments regarding allegations of sexual assault; we have decided to pull out of performing at High Rise Festival later this year.’
A second added: ‘Just a quick one guys -I will not be playing at high rise festival this year in the light of recent events. I’m sure you all understand the reasoning behind this decision.
A third posted: ‘Hey guys, just letting you know I’ve chosen to step back from playing at High Rise Festival due to certain circumstances. I trust you can all appreciate why I’ve made this decision. Thanks x’
Another added: ‘Well then.. f**k high rise festival, was actually looking forward to it until I heard about what happened. Glad everyone pulled out and its been cancelled really!’
HighRise Festival have alluded to the festival being cancelled by posting: ‘We’re in the process of arranging refunds’
Ticket holders flooded the comments section to demand refunds following the allegations and apology
And a fifth artist said in response to Hughes’ apology: ‘I have been struggling to voice what I want to as there is so much to say. But the statement made last night showed more than ignorance, it was disgusting.
‘I pulled my name from the festival months ago due to the incident spoken about and stayed quiet to protect a close friend.
They added: ‘The words used in the statement made by HighRise are so deeply shocking.
‘Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter it has been difficult to know how or if to communicate this publicly.’
Hughes finished his apology by saying: ‘I hope that anyone reading this will take some time to discuss this matter with their friends and further educate themselves so that the amazing women in our lives will never feel disrespected or find themselves in situations that could be avoided by having a simple conversation.
‘I am deeply sorry for my lack of communication to everyone and I understand and recognise that ultimately communication is essential for all things to be made possible.
‘This world is about people and people are what makes it so beautiful. I wish I had listened to everyone around me more but out of ignorance and being caught up in the idea that speaking the truth would cause more issues has led me to this position. Life will forever be my teacher.’
When Hughes announced the launch of HighRise festival, he said: ‘After 10 years of running events across the country I’m finally completing my dream of launching an independent and grassroots festival in the UK!!
‘This is also the most terrifying project I’ve ever worked on as we are not taking any external funding or sponsorship.
‘This time next year we’ll either have our own festival or I’ll be bald & broke and asking for change on Stokes Croft haha, let see what happens.’
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