And so it was, the final day of Kendal Calling 2025…
I honestly felt a bit gutted, as the weekend had been incredible so far, and I had high hopes for the last day – as until the headliners at least, it felt a bit more chilled out!
First up, to open up the main stage was Manchester band, M60…
Manchester’s M60 opening up the Main Stage – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
M60 really stepped up, and was an impressive start, even as one of the festival’s freshest faces – they drew in a good crowd for early on, whilst they seemed a little shy at first, after the first song, their personality really came out, as if the sharp guitar riffs, raw lyrics, and crowd response gave them a boost of confidence.
Frontman Matthew Morton spent the right amount of time talking to the audience in between songs, and giving them little insights into M60’s and their musics history, which was nicely done, and their performance got better from there.
Whilst I don’t actually know much of M60, they had me hooked, and I’ve since been listening to them a fair bit, it was their tight performance and relatable songs that got me, and it seemed to resonate particularly well with younger fans in the crowd too.
The chemistry between the band members was evident too – and I think that elevated their performance more – I could see them on a higher slot on The Parklands Stage in future years, as their set this year felt like a moment of arrival.
Definitely ones to watch.
FIND M60 ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X // ONLINE
Next up for us, it’s fair to say it’s a Kendal Calling staple, in the form of The Lancashire Hotpots…
The Lancashire Hot Pots on the Main Stage – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Now, I’m told, that for longtime attendees, The Lancashire Hotpots have become somewhat of a Kendal Calling Sunday tradition, dare I say it’s even sacred.
I was told to be prepared for witty banter with comedic storytelling, and crowd-pleasing folk-pop – and honestly? they delivered and had me in absolute stitches.
Their performance felt like a huge cross between a comedy gig, a community celebration and a daft disco – rather than just a festival set.
From the moment they walked onstage, donned in rainbow waistcoats, and golden attire – it was clear that this was going to be more of a party than a performance.
Now if you don’t already know, The Lancashire Hotpots have built their songs around everyday topics, think of your takeaways, supermarkets, and that gritty north-west culture, that had those not even from Lancashire singing along.ad the entire field singing along.
Lancashire Hot Pots fans in fancy dress havign a dance – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Fancy dress was clearly encouraged, with many in the audience arrived fully committed, pairing it with some questionable dancing and a huge conga line that formed within the crowd.
Their banter was also quick and hilarious – referring to Sunday headliners “The Prodigy” – frontman Bernard Fresher retorted “We met The Prodigy backstage, and they have informed us that we infact cannot do a version of their famous song, which we’d call ‘Smack My Chips Up'” – which got me.
My favourite song was “I Fear Ikea” (which at first is genuinely something I thought my Dad could have written) – with the lyric “I don’t want a bookcase called Billy or a table named Sven, It’s a good 10 mile walk if you just want a shelf” – that sent me into fits of laughter, along with many of the crowd.
There was a good mix with the crowd, mainly families, but also seemed to be groups of mates and a few solo festival-goers, just belting out lyrics and laughing at inside jokes with each other, which made it more special.
Young Lancashire Hot Pots fan Arthur and his family spreading the love of Chippy Teas at their Main Stage set – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
The Lancashire Hotpots didn’t just play to the crowd, they were the crowd, and if I could sum it up in a sentence, it would simply be inclusive, ridiculous, and deeply satisfying.
FIND THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Now onto a slightly different element that I didn’t expect to see myself be absorbed in… a tribute band…
Tribute band “Oasis Supernova” appeared to be a popular choice – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Not just any tribute band though, Oasis Supernova.
If you weren’t the lucky few that got Oasis tickets, this was the next best thing, or even if you did and you wanted to relive the music or get warmed up for your upcoming date – this was perfect.
You know what, I’m not massive on tribute acts personally, but they did surprise me, for the bit I did catch (which was actually outside the tent because it was so bloody busy!) it delivered a true tribute to Oasis – from the wardrobe to initiating Liam Gallagher’s swagger and attitude – they nailed it, and it wasn’t subtle or reinventive either.
Every track was a singalong, but I think that’s what Oasis does for most anyway, and they had a decent setlist of their early 90’s classics to their biggets hits, and the audience (including the crowd outside!) didn’t miss a word.
Some fans at Kendal Calling renamed the little incline outside The Parklands Stage as a mini “Gallagher Hill” – made famous by the fans who saw the Heaton Park gigs in Manchester from the highest hill in the park.
I don’t think this was a performance aimed at critics, it was a bit of fun for britpop-fanatics and Oasis fans alike – and whilst Oasis Supernova may not be the real thing, but for a Sunday afternoon in the fields, it was pretty close.
FIND OASIS SUPERNOVA ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Next up, it was supposed to be Jason Manford for a little bit comedy, but it didn’t quite work out that way…
John Bishop on the Main Stage – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
That’s right – after a run of appendicitis – it was Liverpool’s own John Bishop that stood in, and what a set it was.
He really brought the main stage crowd to life with a different tone to the music we’d previously heard – he’s known for a mix of his warmth and razor-sharp timing and he certainly delivered on that – as his jokes, stories and quirks were more towards family antics (one about raising teenagers particularly seemed to chime with the parents in the crowd) from the observations of festival life (on the subject of trolleys, particularly dragging kids around in them – which along with camping chairs, has been the subject of debate for the Kendal’s Calling You Facebook group…) and you know what, it was taken in good spirit and landed with laughter and some nods of agreement in the crowd.
John Bishop after ranting about festival trolleys – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
He also took the opportunity to wish his friend Jason Manford well after his operation, but still reiterating “it’s an operation you’re meant to have when you’re 7, not 44..” – nothing like tough love ey?
There was a good crowd, more than I expected for comedy, it felt like more were drawn in, and it’s easy to see why, as John has a natural way of making everyone feel like part of the joke, at one point telling everyone to “put your hands in the air, pretend I’m a rockstar” – a pointless exercise but included everyone who wanted to – which was clever.
He also interacted and improvised with the audience with ease, and his sharp, dry delivery was a hit for many.
In a lineup stacked with big names and explosive music acts, John Bishop’s presence was a welcome and grounding addition.
FIND JOHN BISHOP ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X // ONLINE
Next up, was probably the worst kept secret of the entire weekend, the mysterious “Here’s Johnny”…
The tease on Kendal Calling Social Media for “Here’s Johnny” – Photo Credit: Kendal Calling via Facebook
So when I saw this initially I was baffled, but then the rumours started swirling – “It’s The Reytons!” many said – which was plausible, the Reytons frontman’s first name is infact Jonny (different spelling mind) and Freddie Halkon, who is linked to The Reytons had also played at this years festival, so it was possible.
Others said Johnny Marr, again, I think it was the Johnny link and then attention turned to the emojis at the bottom – with others taking the American flag as a nod to his stints in America.
But then I paid attention to the others, and worked it out – the emojis were a hidden message for “American Nights, English Mornings” – a song by Red Rum Club, further more to back it up, is that “Here’s Johnny” is a famous line from the film “The Shining” a film where “REDRUM” is written on the wall – as it’s backwards for “Murder” which is what the band is named after, and after a story by Red Rum Club on Instagram that said “We’re not doing anything on Sunday, honest.” – consider me convinced. (Proud of myself for working that out to be fair).
That’s right, “Here’s Johnny” – was infact Liverpool’s own Red Rum Club.
Joe Corby of Red Rum Club on the Parklands Stage – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Despite it being a rubbish secret, the band kicked off the set with the emoji-titled song on the original tease “American Nights, English Mornings” which set the mood for a set mix that was intimate, punchy, and the all the right flair.
Whilst I will stand by this – Red Rum Club is a main stage band – it was special to have what felt like an intimate experience and felt like it did when I saw them back in the small rooms of the o2 Academy in Sheffield and The Parish in Huddersfield back in 2021/2022 – it was felt rare and special.
The band took full advantage of the low-key setting, there wasn’t a lot of space, but they still used it well, frontman Fran Doran using whatever he could to take advantage of it and realistically, it raised the bar as it was focused on the music and showmanship, something they all had plenty of.
Red Rum Club frontman Fran Doran on the Parklands Stage – Kendal Calling – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Other hits included in the set included “Kids Addicted”, “Hole in my Home” and “Vibrate” – but I was really pleased to hear “Angeline” in the set, a personal favourite I’d not heard for some time!
There felt to be alot freedom in the set, often extending the songs into a little jam or the odd longer riff, which was quite playful – but the crowd soaked it up and cheered it all on – and sang along to favourites like “Would you Rather be Lonely?” and “Eleanor” – but ended on “Vanilla” – which was the perfect finisher to what I would class as a short set.
I would of course like to see them high up on the main stage next year or year after… but we’ll see, won’t we?
FIND RED RUM CLUB ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X // ONLINE
And finally, the big finale and the main event for the Sunday, it was The Prodigy…
The Prodigy – Sunday Headliners on the Main Stage – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Kendal Calling
Now I won’t lie to you, The Prodigy aren’t my thing, apart from the obvious “Firestarter” – there weren’t many others that I knew of properly but regardless, I gave them a shot.
I didn’t have any doubt The Prodigy would end Kendal Calling 2025 with a bang, but also lasers, lights and everything else – it was very theatrical and got pulses going – there was a lot of force, not in a bad way – as the crowd seemed to soak it up.
From the first drop, alot of the crowd were there dancing, shouting, and losing themselves in what I can only describe as chaos in the crowd – particularly the middle – to which I believe Maxim kept calling “Righteous Motherf*ckers” and calling out positively.
There’s no doubt there was a big mix of classics and a sprinkle of their newer material – but like Fat Boy Slim, it felt more like a rave than anything (I know with Fat Boy Slim that is on purpose!) but of course on a different genre and scale – but whether or not that was the aim, I don’t know.
Prodigy Vocalist Maxim on the Main Stage – Kendal Calling 2025 – Photo Credit: Kendal Calling
That’s not to say it was bad, there was definitely some effort and cinematic staging effects, as well as lasers and big lighting, there was also plenty of pyro and strobe lights turning the atmospher into a bit of a rave rebellion.
Having witnessed the previous acts of the day – the Sunday daytime/evening definitely felt more relaxed, and I think The Prodigy were a bit misplaced – it was Sunday, the last night, a school night (even if you had booked it off!) and I thought things were calming down – and then The Prodigy rocked up.
If it were me, I’d have swapped the Courteeners and The Prodigy – have The Prodigy level up the energy on the Friday and have the Courteeners close on the Sunday, still with a party – but a bit more chilled out, but something you can still jump around and sing to.
That said – as the final song came to an end, there was a collective cheer, not just for The Prodigy, but for Kendal Calling 2025 in general and everyone knew it wasn’t over yet…
FIND THE PRODIGY ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X // ONLINE
And that brings Kendal Calling 2025 to an end – an epic way to celebrate their 20th Birthday, a killer line-up, some amazing food places, lots to do for all ages and genuinely good vibes all round.
Of course after the Prodigy’s exit, they wasted no time getting a montage on the big screens of the main stage, which saw the crowd all come together one last time – as the video played and fireworks erupted into the Cumbrian night sky.
A firework finale for Kendal Calling 2025 and their 20th Birthday – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
At the time of writing – Kendal Calling 2026 tickets are already on sale, and from what we can see, has already smashed 2025’s sales records! So next year, can we go bigger and better? I’m sure they can – the main thing I would improve on the traffic management for Monday morning exits (it was complete hell!) but not to dampen the overall weekend – it was a masterclass of a lineup, great times, great people and I hope to be back next year.
Watch this space!
FIND KENDAL CALLING ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X // ONLINE
READ MORE RGM FESTIVAL NEWS HERE