Kendal Calling, set in the picturesque Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District, has been a staple of the UK's festival scene since 2006. Known for its eclectic mix of music, family-friendly atmosphere, and vibrant arts scene, this festival has grown to accommodate up to 25,000 attendees, offering everything from luxury glamping options to an impressive array of food stalls. This year’s festival was a perfect blend of nostalgia, fresh talent, and a sense of community that left festival-goers eagerly anticipating next year. It is the mini-Glastonbury that everyone has grown to love.
Photo Credit: Kendal Calling + Tom Martin
Although we arrived on the Friday, the buzz around Declan McKenna, The Hunna, and Paul Heaton's performances from Thursday night was palpable and had set the tone for a promising weekend. McKenna’s energetic set, coupled with The Hunna’s infectious rock anthems and Heaton’s timeless hits, had everyone talking about the perfect start to Kendal Calling 2024.
The second day kicked off with childhood favourites Dick and Dom, who transformed the Parklands tent into a lively party zone with a crazy and brutal drum and bass remix of Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’. Though the set began rather early in the day, it went down a treat and we couldn’t have thought of a more entertaining way to start the day. Later, Dead Pony’s Punk energy electrified the crowd, followed by The Snuts’ spirited Indie Rock performance. The weather took a turn, with rain showers adding a somewhat dramatic backdrop to Keane’s nostalgic set, the dazzled ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ quartet brought a a chilled-out Indie masterclass, offering a journey through piano-led anthems like ‘Everybody’s Changing’ and ‘Bedshaped’. Definitely not a set for those who were in need of some heavier guitar wrenched music, but it was an early evening highlight.
Photo Credit: Kendal Calling + George Harrison
Catching the end of The Pigeon Detectives was a bonus, just in time for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Securing Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds was likely one of Kendal’s major attractions this year. Gallagher made a triumphant return, adhering to his recent approach of dividing his performance into two parts: the first showcasing his solo work, and the second dedicated to Oasis classics. While his solo material was impressively polished and captivating, it was the beloved hits like ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Little by Little’ and ‘Half The World Away’ that sparked the anticipated crowd sing-along. Noel’s set was nothing short of legendary, capped off by a cover of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, or shall we call it ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ as Noel dedicated it to Leeds Football Club, that had the crowd in raptures.
The night continued with an energetic DJ set by Dave Haslam at Tim Peaks Diner, and a mesmerising silent disco in the Eden Forest, where the floating earth installation and beautiful light show created an enchanting atmosphere, perfect to round off the first full day.
By Saturday morning, the festival fatigue was starting to kick in, with many nursing hangovers and seeking solace in the myriad food options available, or the infamous chicken and mushroom Pot Noodle. The weather was perfect and, after refuelling with free Coke Zeros and Lipton Ice Tea, we headed to the main stage for a fantastic set by comedian Russell Howard, whose jokes were a hit with the crowd. One thing Kendal excels at is scheduling comedians at just the right times. They manage to avoid clashes with major artists, providing a much-needed break from the relentless guitars and drums when your brain needs it most.
The day continued with a diverse lineup including queer icons The Untold Orchestra performing classic Pop hits, celebrating legends from Prince to Gossip and, of course, Diana Ross. The inclusive and joyous atmosphere brought together people of all ages for a lively boogie. The Parklands stage itself provided a stunning setting, adorned with eight-foot inflatable mushrooms, ten-foot face sculptures, and a forest cascading from the ceiling, making it a truly magical experience.
Heather Small’s high-energy dance hits set the stage, later followed by Sugababes from making a grand entrance and delivering a performance that could easily be crowned the best of the weekend. As the sun set, their flawless vocals and classic hits had everyone dancing and singing along. From the middle of the audience to the back, we were surrounded by 20-somethings reminiscing about their youth. We were actually surprised by how many Sugababes songs we knew, a sentiment echoed by those around us. The set could have gone on forever without a single complaint from anyone.
Photo Credit: Kendal Calling + Tom Martin
With nearly an hour before Peace took the stage at the Calling Out stage, we stumbled upon An Dannsa Dub at the Chai Wallah stage. This six-piece live band fused the mystical energy and instruments of traditional Scottish music, sung entirely in Gaelic, with heavy, meditative basslines. It felt like we had discovered a new part of our brain as we found ourselves Irish dancing with strangers, throwing expensive pints in the air and pretending to know Gaelic — slightly drunken Scouse accents weren't too far off. Like many others, we were left in awe.
After all of that energy, we were riled up for our personal favourites, Peace. After a few comeback gigs, the brothers Harry and Sam Koisser were finally joined again by their original drummer, Dominic Boyce ‘Boycie’. The subtle interactions between the band and the the crowd was what truly made the gig what it was: a nostalgic celebration of live music and a reflection on the music many of Peace’s audience went through their teenage years listening to, including a very random performance of the bands 2015 hit ‘I’m A Girl’ which hasn’t been played in 7 years. Crowd participation didn’t end at the roaring echoes of every lyric, or the movement of mosh-pits amongst the crowd. The evening then wound down with a quirky typical Shit Indie Disco set, where an enthusiastic fan climbing a pillar became a memorable moment of the night.
Sunday morning was cold, but the abundance of coffee helped revive the festival-goers. This year, the fields of Lowther Deer Park were alive with thousands of people fully adopting the High Seas fancy dress theme, adorned in costumes ranging from life size lobsters to Ariel’s, pirates and other vibrant nautical characters.
The Lancashire Hotpots provided a hearty and very early dose of humour and local charm with their iconic 'Chippy Tea'. Megan Wyn, a 19-year-old Welsh star, captivated the early crowd with her stunning vocals, showcasing why she has been gaining a huge following and supporting major acts at large venues. Her songwriting is wise beyond her years, and her ability to consistently produce high-quality work, along with the bravery to completely rebrand, demonstrates a remarkable level of maturity and confidence. Megan proved to be a highlight of the day.
Royel Otis and Pale Waves sustained the festival's energy with their dynamic performances. A notable moment occurred when Pale Waves’ lead singer, Heather Baron-Gracie, declared, “One thing about our band is that we’re queer, I love gays” while holding up a lesbian flag given to her during the band's anthem, "She’s My Religion". Sunday's weather, marked by light drizzle, added a fitting touch to the festival's final day as everyone eagerly anticipated Gary Neville's back-to-back DJ set with Tim Burgess—quintessentially Kendal Calling.
Photo Credit: Kendal Calling + Tom Martin
Despite a somewhat gloomy day weather-wise, The Reytons’ energetic performance revitalised the crowd, getting everyone back on their feet. Lead singer Jonny Yerrell expressed his love for the festival and its vibrant music scene before launching into the iconic bars of ‘Kids Off the Estate’.
The weekend culminated with a soulful performance by Paolo Nutini, tasked with bringing Kendal Calling 2024 to an emphatic close. He delivered with hits like ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’, ‘Pencil Full Of Lead’ and the set-closer ‘Shine a Light’ which led into the traditional Kendal fireworks finale. Despite receiving mixed reviews recently, Paolo’s raw, intimate sound and emotionally resonant interactions with the audience made for the perfect ending. Attendees around us praised Nutini's set just before the fireworks, marking a perfect conclusion to an unforgettable festival.
Kendal Calling 2024 showcased exceptional festival organisation, effortlessly combining a diverse musical lineup with a welcoming atmosphere and activities suitable for all ages. The enchanting woodlands, vibrant stages, impressive food options, and family-friendly amenities highlighted why Kendal Calling has been a cherished event for nearly two decades. As the festival drew to a close, the mantra "Leave nothing but memories" rang true, leaving attendees with unforgettable experiences and eager anticipation for next year's festivities.
Words by Lucy Holden
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