Kendal Calling is just around the corner, and we could not be more excited for our annual pilgrimage to the Lake District. The festival has gone from strength-to-strength over the last decade, establishing itself as one of the best in the UK for both the artists it attracts and the atmosphere. We’ll be back in those fields from the 28th July as Lowther Deer Park plays host to Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Madness, and Rudimental, along with a fantastic undercard. Here’s why we can’t wait.
It’s Not Grim Up North
Once you get up to Cumbria, there aren’t many music festivals of this magnitude that can continue to grow and develop each year. As it transpires, Lowther Deer Park is the perfect setting for a festival. The main stage sits in a natural theatre and the other stages, including the wonderful Woodlands stage, are built around that. Some sites are merely an area to host music, but hat’s not the case here.
Old And New Mixed Perfectly
Kendal has always brought in some great established acts while mixing that nicely with new artists that you’ve been waiting to see. Madness remain a wonderful party band, while Peter Doherty and Noel Gallagher will bring the anthems.
Alongside that you’ve got some fantastic innovators and new acts from the likes of Everything Everything to Eagulls and Ghostpoet. The cliché rings true - there’s something here to please everyone.
The Woodlands Stage
Yeah we mentioned this earlier, but The Woodlands Stage is the area to be. A mixture of somewhere to unwind between the heavyweights and a genuine pull when the likes of Ibibio Sound Machine, New York Tourists, and The Lottery Winners take to the stage.
Last year we abandoned a predictable Kaiser Chiefs set for The Sunshine Underground over here and it was a highlight. And then there’s the silent disco.
Real Ale Tent
Because everybody gets sick of lager and wine out of a box. If you don’t drink real ale while sat on a hill in the sun, are you even at Kendal Calling?
Atmosphere
Stumbling over to the Chai Wallah to nurse your hangover. Noting that Ghandi’s Flip Flop is the best festival food you’ve ever had. Hearing your favourite song at the Silent Disco. The mudslide from 2014 at the main stage. Walking into a tent and finding an absolute gem you had no idea about previously. Talking to everyone you meet. Being back in those fields.
Kendall Calling takes place at Lowther Deer Park from the 28th to the 31st July. for more information and tickets, please consult the festival's official website.