10 things we learnt at Kendal Calling
- By Craig Jones -
- Aug 01, 2012
Set in the picturesque fields of the beautifully idyllic Lowther Deer Park, in the Lake District, Kendal Calling was three fantastic days of fun, cheer and great music. Here are 10 things we discovered during this year’s festival:
10. The wait for chips and gravy is worth it
As a fully fledged northerner currently plying his trade down south it was fantastic to have an opportunity to savour chips and gravy, a fine cuisine you simply can’t find below Manchester. At Kendal Calling’s pie stall the gravy proved so popular with the masses that it sold out on Friday night, so a repeat visit was required on Saturday evening to be able to feast on the tasty goodness.
9. Bring pants not Swiss Army Cutlery
When a campmate packs a stove which doesn’t work, a neck pouch and a Swiss Army Cutlery set but fails to bring any trousers, leaving them having to wear a tight pair of Umbro shorts which Kevin Keegan would have been proud of in the 1980s, they are sure to be in for a ribbing of epic proportions all weekend.
8. The Travelling Band are destined for big things
Alternative folk group The Travelling Band wowed crowds with a splendid set on the festival’s main stage early on Saturday afternoon, giving a polished performance which included tracks ‘Sundial’ and ‘Battlescars’. The performance acted as further fuel for a growing fire, the Manchester troupe are becoming more than just ones to watch.
7. Fancy dress was friendly fun
Kendal Calling has a unique and quirky vibe which owes a great amount to its popular annual Saturday fancy dress. This year’s theme was comic book favourites and fairytale characters, which saw the expected appearances by Superman and Batman but notable nods need to go to the revellers who came as SuperTed and his companion Spotty. It was amazing to see every other person in sight remove the shackles of normality and become their favourite alter ego for the day. For anyone planning to pay a trip to next year’s festival the fancy dress is thoroughly recommended, a great way to immerse yourself with the fun of the festival.
6. The Houseparty just never stops
Kendal Calling’s infamous House Party is deservedly a firm favourite with merrymakers homed in a tent with sofas and stools which had great sets coming from some of the country’s most acclaimed DJs including Hacienda legend Dave Haslam. There was something for all tastes from those seeking hardcore dubstep to revellers drawn to the odd guilty pleasures of an 80s mega mix.
5. Feeder can still inspire the youth
Grant Nicholas and the boys may have been on the scene for nearly 20 years but their uncanny knack of getting the teenage raving still remains. The CD player, player, player, player (you get the idea) band drew a huge crowd to the main stage on Sunday evening getting this generation’s younguns jumping up and down to the iconic ‘Buck Rogers’ as well as ‘Just a Day’ and ‘We are The People’ amongst many others from their extensive back catalogue. Oh to be young again.
4. Making an instant impression
It’s always flattering when someone nails you to a tee within 10 seconds of meeting them. While offering little to no help while my tent was being pitched an observant neighbour remarked ‘this guy is so lazy but he looks pretty cool’ which at the end of the day is surely all that matters. Anyway, not quite pulling my weight must have made a decent impression as these friendly neighbours even started cooking food for me. Either they valued my patter or just felt I’d perish if they didn’t feed me.
3. Mr Rascal got Kendal going bonkers
Fresh from playing at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London Dizzee Rascal fixed up and still looked just as sharp, as he hotfooted it up to Lowther Deer Park for some manic madness in the fields on Saturday night. As a firm favourite of the festival Dizzee Rascal got the crowd going bonkers as he returned to the Kendal Calling in the twinkling moonlight.
2. There’s no need to sit down when James are around
Alternative rockers James gave an intense performance, showing they’ve still got it. During Kendal Calling’s great finale on Sunday night Tim Booth, who could have easily have attended Saturday’s fancy dress as The Hood from Thunderbirds, cut the ever charismatic front man with his crazy dancing and crisp vocals coming together to produce an electric set which got the crowd whaling hits such as ‘Come Home’, ‘Laid’ and of course ‘Sit Down’.
1. Kendal Calling is simply unique
With a range of music to cater for the ears of many, fabulous fairground attractions, children’s workshops, quirky tents and even the odd deer or two to be spotted Kendal Calling is an amazing tonic suitable for the tastes of old and young which thoroughly deserves the accolades it’s been bestowed in recent years. The festival has undoubted character, epitomised by huge bass bands wondering around the grounds, attracting renowned stars, up and coming artists and quirky vendors to the site. All that remains to be said is see you in the fields next year.
Image from Kendal Calling on Facebook
By Craig Jones. Tweets at @cjjournalist
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