This weekend saw another hugely successful, sold-out year at Kendal Calling, with 40,000 festival-goers enjoying four days of live music and entertainment. The festival also hit an impressive milestone, with every tent either taken home or donated on site, leaving nothing but memories (and even a few tan lines).
Here’s how four days in the fields of Lowther Deer Park unfolded.
Thursday:
For those with Thursday tickets, arrival day offers more than just first dibs on the best camping spots. It’s a chance to get settled in, and enjoy a bonus night of music and entertainment, ready for the weekend.
But let me tell you, the trek from the car to the campsite is no joke, it really is a test of endurance and even relationships. Expect stuff to fly out of your tightly packed trolley across the bumpy, uneven grass, with hair covering your face and your back dripping with sweat. Booze strapped to trolleys, rucksacks filled to the brim, camping chairs, sleeping bags, and tents being carried up the hill and to the main entrance. Everyone is fighting their own battle, but when that festival wristband is slipped onto your wrist, it feels like a medal.
Depending on where you decide to camp, it’s not too far from the main entrance, to getting your tent set up. We walked about 10 minutes through the 24-hour party people campsite, through to Bracken Meadow, which was right next to the Co-Op shop. After 10 years of festivals, I prefer a decent night’s sleep, access to cold drinks and emergency snacks!
Once you’ve established your home for the next 4 nights, and said hello to your temporary neighbours, it’s time to crack open a well-deserved warm can and explore the festival grounds.
Kendal Calling’s layout means that you’ll get an instant panoramic view when you walk through to the main arena. The natural slope gives a stunning view of the main stage, so you’re always guaranteed a decent spot in the crowd.
The gates opened from 4pm, which gave plenty of time for a walk around before the music started. Thursday headliners were The Kooks and The Cribs, who both drew in massive crowds and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
We then headed over to Tim Peaks Diner to catch K-Estate and, honestly, it was one of the highlights of Thursday night. The place was absolutely bouncing. True to their Instagram bio’s promise of serving up “MCR party tunes for the masses”, they had the crowd singing and dancing through the whole set.
Everyone knows that Tim Peaks Diner is the place to be for a party, and Tim Burgess knows how to do just that. He delivered a class DJ set into the early hours of the morning in his trademark bucket hat, while dancing with fans.
Friday:
Like many others, my first stop on Friday morning was the Soap Opera showers. Stocked with shampoo and body wash, next to a getting ready station with hairdryers, straighteners, and mirrors. You have to time it right if you don’t fancy queuing for an hour though!
Heading over to the arena, we made use of our ‘Green Room’ wristbands, this is a ticket add-on which gives you access to a VIP area, with a dedicated bar, DJ tents, food trucks, and flushable toilets. You can grab a seat at the bar, have a break from the crowds and enjoy some shade.
As always, Kendal thrives on surprises. One of which came in the form of a shop selling and handing out Zyn products (if you know, you know). Upon entering, you had to meet with the ‘bossman’, who opened a secret door which led to a full-blown DJ set rave in the back.
The evening arrived and The Snuts brought a sea of Scottish flags to the main stage, while delivering an energetic set with fan favourites ‘Glasgow’, ‘Fatboy Slim’ and ‘Gloria’.
The sun continued to shine for The Vaccines. Having seen them earlier this year at an indoor venue, I think it’s fair to say they are absolutely a festival band. With tunes like ‘Wetsuit’, and ‘If You Wanna’ filling the atmosphere. Fans were jumping around with their pints, loving life.
Two Door Cinema Club brought it back to 2010 performing their debut album ‘Tourist History’ in full. I think we can all agree that indie bangers ‘Undercover Martyn’, ‘What You Know’ and ‘Something Good Can Work’ will never get old.
Saturday
Saturday began with a mission to find proper food.
We went with a tray of steak & ale pie, mash, peas and gravy from Barnaby Sykes for a bit of home comfort, all I can say is that I really hope they will be there again next year. We also heard plenty of good things about ‘Crumble Pots’, who were serving roast dinners in a pot, loaded fries, and desserts (not all at once).
The Untold Orchestra kicked off music on the main stage on Saturday with a celebration of Beatles classics. Families were dancing and singing along to songs that never seem to get old, or bring any less joy, as the years go by.
A wander through Lost Eden led us to the Calling Out stage, where Manchester band Pastel played to a packed-out tent. Their growing reputation was evident from the turn out and judging by the crowd reaction, they won over plenty of new fans.
Heading back over to the main stage, The Libertines brought an energetic set with classics ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’ and ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’. Pete Doherty and Carl Barat were in good form, dancing while playing and even sharing a hug before leaving the stage.
Saturday night presented a bit of a problem: Doves or Biffy Clyro?
My decision was tipped by the fact I had seen Doves before, and I definitely don’t have any regrets.
From the minute Biffy Clyro stormed onto the stage, the performance felt massive. Pyrotechnics lit up the sky, frontman Simon Neil was waving a flamethrower around while smiling like a maniac. Confetti, fireworks, flame cannons and flame throwers, the crowd were locked in. They brought the decibels, playing heavy riffs from ‘Mountains’, ‘Black Chandelier’ and a favourite of mine ‘Bubbles’.
After that, we headed to the Soapbox, where Bongos Bingo had the tent overflowing. Part rave, part game of bingo and even if you didn’t get a bingo ticket, it was still fun to be a part of.
Sunday
By Sunday, most of us were operating on lack of sleep and the campsite was feeling empty, it seemed most people had packed everything except their tents to make Monday’s departure a little more bearable (would strongly recommend).
After a quick trip to the Co-Op for cold fizzy drinks and some breakfast, it was time for the last day.
We headed to the arena for one last time, to enjoy music from Liverpool’s Red Rum Club, a 6-piece band who have a distinctive indie/rock sound. Definitely a perfect fit for a festival crowd.
Next up on the main stage was The Lathums, it’s easy to see how they have gone from playing small venues to landing a number one album in just a few years. They had the crowd singing along and dancing before Primal Scream and Wolf Alice rounded off the night.
As is tradition at Kendal, the weekend was brought to a close by a montage of photos and videos captured throughout the festival by the media team, shown on the big screens as fireworks lit up the sky. All around the arena, people were sharing emotional moments, hugging and cheering.
It’s clear to see why so many people return year after year and why Kendal Calling remains one of the UK’s most loved festivals. Will you be in the fields next year? I know I will!
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY SHANNON PILLING
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