10 to see at Kendal Calling
- By Craig Jones -
- Jul 16, 2012
From its infamous house party to the annual Saturday fancy dress theme, throughout Kendal Calling’s seven year existence, the Lake District festival, which is taking place at the beautiful Lowther Deer Park between July 27th and 29th, has amassed a huge fanbase of famous faces.
Each year performers, who have previously included Blondie, Frank Turner, Hugh Cornwell, Ash, Calvin Harris and The Zuttons, have been taken by the quaint charm of the 150 acre woodland site which is abundant with flags, quirky events and northern attitude.
Tim Burgess from The Charlatans said: “It’s unlike any other festival and is one of the highlights of the summer.”
Kendal Calling again boasts a highly impressive line up, sure to leave revellers rejoicing, and here are the top 10 acts to catch at this year’s festival:
10. Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show
Red Dwarf star Craig Charles will be the DJ at Chai Wallahs on Sunday evening playing a varied mix of soul and funk to help festival goers chill out and let loose on the final day of Kendal Calling. The Sci Fi star, who will be seen in a new series of the iconic TV show in the Autumn, will be certain to deliver an out of this world set.
9. Dodgy
The reformed trio, Nigel Clark, Mathew Priest and Andy Miller, who released their first album in 11 years, the critically acclaimed ‘Stand Upright in a Cool Place’, at the beginning of 2012 are playing Kendal Calling’s main stage on Saturday. They’ll be blaring out hits ‘Staying Out for The Summer’, ‘If You’re Thinking of Me’ and iconic anthem ‘Good Enough’.
8. The View
The same jeans Dundee Indie troupe lead by Kyle Falconer will be showcasing hits ‘Face for the Radio’, ‘Shock Horror’ and of course their stand out anthem ‘Same Jeans’ on the main stage on Saturday.
7. The Travelling Band
Manchester indie folk collective, The Travelling Band, will be playing Kendal Calling’s main stage on Saturday. The collective, who are currently working on their latest album, a follow up to 2011’s Screaming is Something’ will be bringing their unique melodies and addictive folk to the peak district bellowing memorable tracks such as ‘Battlescars’ and ‘Horizon Me and You’.
6. Feeder
Welsh alternative rockers Feeder will be blaring out their extensive back catalogue on the last night of the festival on Kendal Calling’s main stage. Grant Nicholas and the boys will be reminding the revellers about CD players as they power out anthem ‘Buck Rogers’.
5. We Are Scientists
Californian indie rockers We Are Scientists, who have previously appeared at Leeds and Reading Festivals, will be taking to the main stage on Sunday to perform anthems ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’ and ‘The Great Escape’ including many others.
4. The Lightning Seeds
The experienced scouse alternative rockers, lead by Ian Broudie, will be getting the crowd into a nostalgic frenzy with hits ‘Lucky You’, ‘Life of Riley’, ‘Pure’ and ‘Change’. Following an average performance by the England team at Euro 2012 calls for ‘Three Lions’ are likely to be few and far between.
3. Dizzee Rascal
A firm favourite of Kendal Calling’s is returning hero Dizzee Rascal who’ll be performing on the festival’s main stage on Saturday evening. The bonkers rapper will be sure to get revellers moving with hits ‘Dance Wiv Me’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Fix Up, Look Sharp’.
2. Maximo Park
The Geordie troupe lead by singer Paul Smith who released new album ‘The National Health’ earlier this year are taking to Kendal Calling’s main stage on the opening night of the festival and are certain to get the crowd into a great spirit. The five-piece, who have been on the festival organisers’ wanted list for many years, are sure to perform classics from their Mercury Prize nominated debut album ‘A Certain Trigger’.
1. James
The Manchester Britpop favourites, who reformed in 2007, will be drawing a great weekend of music and fun to a close on the main stage on Sunday evening. The band who formed in 1982 and have sold more than 25 million albums will get festival goers into good voice as they belt out anthems ‘She’s a Star’ and ‘Sit Down’.
By Craig Jones. Tweets at @cjjournalist
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