Festival review: Kendal Calling 2011

Kendal Calling has come a long way from its sleepy roots as a 900 capacity affair. Year on year it seems to go from strength to strength, and 2011 was no exception.

13000 people descended on Lowther Deer Park for the 6th annual get-together in the beautiful Lake District countryside… And what a weekend it was!

Despite its growing popularity and size, you can’t help but wonder at the quaint setting and diminutive size of the arena. But never once did it feel “small”; the space is cleverly used to great effect, and in every direction you happen upon something else to while your time away, whilst still being close to the main attractions.

This year pulled no punches with a line up to rival even a “bigger” festival. Blondie, The Cribs and Chase & Status all headlined whilst crowd pullers Beardyman, The Whip, House of Pain, Nero and The Levellers stuck their two-penneth worth into a very attractive and eclectic line-up.

Having arrived in time for the big kick off on Friday, we congratulated ourselves on expeditious and expert tent erecting with an ice cold beer and some Riot Jazz Brass Band at the main stage, before partaking in the real ale tent (where you are reminded in typical Lake District Style, that lager is in fact for girls). The Calling Out Stage provided some much welcomed respite from the sun, as Bleach and Too Young To Love supplied a fitting soundtrack to the afternoon. A festival highlight came early in the weekend with London five-piece Stagecoach rocking out with their catchy and energetic rifts, cumulating in the memorable “Jonah Lomu”.

The draw of the main stage again proved too strong and we joined young and old alike to watch The Milk, Molotov Jukebox, and the ever impressive The Whip, who stormed the crowd with their unremitting and superb blend of rock and electro. The Oldham band were a perfect addition to the festival and had even the staunchest ‘pint holder’ dancing, whether they wanted to or not. Friday finished very hazily as House of Pain reeled off their classics, before Chase & Status did what they do best. The stalwarts of the festival kept the party going until the early hours at the Kaylied, Houseparty, and Glow Dance tents, whilst the long sun (and beer) fuelled day had taken its toll on others.

Saturday saw the traditional fancy dress day rear its sparkly and eccentric head, in the form of a “Beasts and Machines” theme. We kicked our day off watching the talented Alice Gold, whilst chilling out amongst gorillas, washing machines and robots (costumes, not hallucinations). To ease sore heads we were treated to an acoustic set from Tim Burgess and Mark Collins, as they played through the Charlatans’ repertoire. Olfar kept the relaxed theme going with a pleasurable performance on the Calling Out Stage, before Young Knives gave no thought to hangovers, and got the Saturday rocking out in earnest, with a batch of new songs. The energy kept going as a well-considered set list produced impressive new acts as Bear Driver, and The Minx. Over at the main stage, the rather cleanly shaven Beardyman wowed and amazed the festival with his human beat box tricks, awesomely interacting with the crowd by freestyling about people lucky enough to get a close up on the screens. As the day wore down, and the Duracell Bunnies and robots ran out of batteries, Echo and The Bunnymen threw out a nostalgic performance, before Wakefield lads The Cribs gave us a typically energetic and brilliant show.

The festival powered on for a third hot day which included sounds from Vintage Trouble, Fly With Vampires, Hugh Cornwall, The Levellers and to close the festival, 70’s rockers (and everyone’s Dad’s favourites) Blondie.

Kendal Calling certainly catered for all tastes, and despite it being a ‘small festival’, you could relive the same weekend five times over and enjoy a different experience each time. From Salsa dance classes to poetry recitals and comedy acts, there is something for everyone. Its family friendly atmosphere has earned itself countless clichéd comparisons to Glastonbury, and no wonder. Good on ya Kendal, and keep up the good work!

Words: Paul Robinson

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