[/wide]In 2011 and for the second year in a row Kendal Calling won the ‘Best Small Festival’ award category in the Live UK Music Awards, it’s not surprising why; set in an idyllic location and hidden away from mainstream life it’s a very special little festival indeed. This year’s festival proves bigger and better from start to finish, so forget about the humdrum of daily life and head to the fields for three days of pure bliss and excitement.
Set over two arenas there’s a plethora of music, entertainment and stunning scenery.
Bringing sounds to your ears are a mixed bag of delights, playing the Kaylied, the Calling Out and the main stages acts include Dizzee Rascal, James, Maximo Park as well as Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip. Also are the list are Ghostpoet, Lucy Rose, Vintage Trouble, Various Cruelties, Islet, Dodgy, King Charles and the Spring Offensive.
The Glow Dance Tent hosts acts including Benga, Andy C, Shy FX, Correspondents, Utah Saints and D/R/U/G/S. Nearby is the House Party, set up like a bedsit where anything goes be it hip-hop karaoke, mirror ball glitz and glamour or simply getting down and having a dance to tunes spun by Dave Haslam and Will Tramp.
Alongside this there’s the Riot Jazz tent, a place to chill and muse with a varying soundtrack to the occasion. The Happy Slap Boutique providing everything from circus acts, make-up artists, street performers and all manner of delights to get you in the festival spirit. As always there’s the fancy dress Saturday, this year’s theme is ‘Fairy Tales and Comic Books’, so think on, dress up and join the parade.
A new addition to 2012 is the Tim Peaks Diner. In a nutshell it’s The Charlatans front man, Tim Burgess’s own world, a place to relax, have a decent cuppa and enjoy poertry readings, the odd DJ set and Q&A’s from the likes of the man himself as well as Edwyn Collins, Nick Heyward and many more.
As always there’s a heap of tasty eats and drinks including the real ale festival at the Holy Quail Pub which boasts a range of proper ales for the discerning palate.
Kendal Calling isn’t just a festival; it’s a weekend of pure enjoyment.
We loved it in 2011; you can read about our experiences last year here.
Guess we’ll be ‘seeing you in the fields’ at http://www.kendalcalling.co.uk/
