Photo © Jessica Newell
Kendal Calling is a relatively new festival, which is this year (it's 4th year) situated in Lowther Deer Park in...Well, not Kendal. Lowther deer park is a stones throw from Penrith... and 25 miles from Kendal.
The festival appealed with a low price (weekend with camping £70), a strong lineup, the promise of clean toilets, showers and Moorish Catering.
Sadly the showers and Moorish catering were never located and a message on the Kendal Calling website apologises for the state of the toilets on the Fri and Sat after they were let down by a contractor.
As with any good British festival there was mud, and plenty of it. Heavy rain on the Thursday before the festival meant last minute changes had to be made to the car parking arrangements. Unfortunately for the first coachload of the Friday, arriving at the other side of the site, it meant walking back and forth along a long path inside the park, continually getting told by security to go in the other direction. When the festival staff were aware they were extremely apologetic about the breakdown in communication and all 22 festival attendees were taken back up the path in buggies.
But it was certainly not all bad. The festival has a fantastic relaxed family atmosphere, and with under 12s getting in free it's not hard to see why there were so many small children in attendance. Face painting, Cumbrian Olympics, Kids area and real snow slope kept children (and big kids) more than entertained.
Photo © Jessica Newell
Photo © Jessica Newell
Photo © Jessica Newell
The food options in the arena area were varied and of a higher quality than found at most larger festivals. A good selection of international dishes and plenty of vegetarian, vegan and organic options were available.
The campsite itself is a spacious field with huge old trees. No worries about overcrowding here. An organic and fairtrade coffee stall provided delicious drinks and the option of muesli for breakfast. The campsite also hosted the Merchandise tent, welfare tent (for those suffering festival, and partying side affects) a small live music tent and a selection of other food and drink stalls.
The main stage was situated on the flat at the bottom of a hill. This meant that an excellent view could be had of the bands regardless of where you were stood. Headline sets came from The Streets, The Zutons and Ash.
Photo © Jessica Newell
Photo © Jessica Newell
Photo © Jessica Newell
Photo © Jessica Newell
The "We Are Calling" stage, the largest of the live music tents held host to Fight Like Apes, King Blues and Detroit Social Club amongst others.
The Kaylied folk stage presented acts both local and national, known and unknowns. The highlight being a set from Frank Turner (ex Million Dead). The small tent was packed to the rafters half an hour before his set was due to start and despite multiple technical problems, resulting in him having to borrow a guitar from the next band due on, his charm and good humour kept everyone waiting patiently in the tent. Clearly fans had travelled from far around for this set and I'm sure the singalong could be heard for far around out on the field.
Photo © Jessica Newell
And when the live music finished for the night the Traffic tent became a club with djs running through to 3am each morning.
The conclusion is that despite it's imperfections and little blips (the wristbands read
Kendall Calling) Kendal Calling is a fantastic small festival with great music and great mud, all set in stunning countryside. Really, what more could you want?!
