Kendal Calling

DJ Yoda and more added to Kendal Calling lineup

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New to the lineup is hip-hop turntablist and cut and paste pioneer DJ Yoda, explosive Leeds alt-rockers Dinosaur Pile Up, the genre straddling experimental pop of Hot Vestry, 13 piece Latin-Salsa-Boogaloo band Giddy Gringos, elusive duo and AV specialist, Nordic Giants, South Wales indie synth-pop band Man Without Country, Belgian five piece indie-rock group, Balthazar, … Read more

Kendal Calling Festival sells out in record time

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Kendal Calling festival has sold out a remarkable 11 weeks in advance of this year’s festival. Kendal Calling has sold out in each of its previous 8 years but this year’s sell out is the quickest yet, leaving the From The Fields team to thank those festival goers who have snapped up tickets to the winner of the UK Festival Awards Best Medium Sized Festival in 2013.
 
This year’s festival features act such as Suede, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Example, De La Soul, 2manydjs, Frightened Rabbit, Clean Bandit, Happy Mondays, Miles Kane, Jimi Goodwin, Gorgon City, Ella Eyre and hundreds of others over 3 days in the stunning Lake District, indisputably one of the most beautiful festival sites in the world.
 
Kendal Calling is one of the highlights of the festival calendar featuring the Kendal Calling Goes Beyond The Stars fancy dress theme, Tim Peaks Diner, a real ale festival, gourmet food, a dedicated children’s Ladybird Arena, a diverse array or markets, the Garden Of Eden healing area,Q and A’s, talks and much more.
 
Having broken the world record for the most people dressed as Superman in one place in 2014, this year Kendal Calling revelers will attempt to break the world record for the most people moonwalking at the same time.
 
Kendal Calling promoter Andy Smith comments – "We've sold out in record time…I'm in a transport of delight!"
 
LINE UP
 
Suede / Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls / Example
 
Happy Mondays /  De La Soul /  Miles Kane / 2ManyDjs (dj set) /  Tom Odell / Razorlight / Augustines / Jimi Goodwin / Frightened Rabbit / Simon and Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene (acoustic) Clean Bandit  / Newton Faulkner /  Athlete / Ella Eyre / Mr Scruff / Lewis Watson / Admiral Fallow / Reel Big Fish / The Heavy / Catfish & the Bottlemen / Rae Morris / Saint Raymond / Dub Pistols / Jess Glynne / Women's Hour /  Findlay / Breton / Josh Record / Black Rivers / Team Me / Norma Jean Martine / Mirror Signal / The Tea Street Band / Champs / Dario G (DJ set) / Lauren Aquilina / Lyger/ Big Sixes /  Etches /  Molly Warburton / Gypsy Hill / Smerins Anti-Social Club / Kimberly Anne / Amber Run / Gallery Circus / Lanterns on the Lake /  The Lucid Dream / Johnny Borrell & Zazou / The Lancashire Hotpots / Aquilo  / DJ Food, DJ Cheeba, DJ Moneyshot – Caught In the Middle of a 3 way mix /  Zion Train – Perch & Dubdadda / Reeps One / The Melodic / By The Rivers / Typesun / Will Varley / We Were Evergreen / Tantz / John Langon Band / Talisman / Will Tramp!  / Drop the Mustard DJs / Zutekh DJs /  English Disco Lovers / Herbal Sessions / Dub Central / Showhawk Duo / Urban Sabotage presents: Davos LIVE / Lisbon / The Membranes / Skutch Manos / Metisa / Colt 45 / MDNGHT / Berlin / Berlin / You / $ista $ista / WALK / Honeyfeet / Harlequin Marching Band / Skittles & Live Band / Cut Capers / Lauren Housley / René / Gypsies of Bohemia / Scatters the Funky Disco Pig / The Grand Old Ukes of Yorkshire / Treedrum / Riot Jazz Brass Band / The Dakota Jim Band / Taylor Jackson / Charlie Cooper / Thingumbob & The Thingumajogs / From A Window / Buffalo Brothers / The Big Easy & Swing Dance / Flamingus / Flavia / The Bear around Your Neck / Whiskey Moon Face / Felix Hagan & The Family / Too Much Love / Saluation Dub Collective / The EME / Dave Rybka / Xander Smith / Urban Folk Quartet / Mint Royale / Baggy Mondays / Dave Haslam / Black Cat DJs / Father Funk /  Gareth Brooks (XFM)  / King Eider / The Hummingbirds / Phoneys & the Freaks / Howling Rhythm DJs / Aaron Wright & Jacqui Abbott  / Kommix Kut / The Raged / Our Fold / Dub Sex / Mark Abbott / Fallback Productions / Sam P / Karl Yates / Northern Soul Dance Classes
 
Glow Dance Tent:
2manydj’s (dj set) / Andy C / Zane Lowe / James Zabiela / Gorgon City / Goldie / Dub Phizix & MC Strategy / Shadow Child / Friend Within / GQ / Lapsley / Ash Howell / My Neu Leng
 
BONDAX & FRIENDS presents
Bondax b2b MJ Cole, Karma Kid b2b Monki, Star Slinger b2b TCTS, Kartel b2b French Kiwi Juice
 
Woodlands
BIRD / Seattle Yacht Club / Love For Zero / Jakarta Club /  Evil Blizzard / The Templebys / The Pinstripe Pigeon Band / Fiona Clayton / The Lottery Winners / Jake & The Jellyfish / Ivan Campo / The Orchid Hunters / Nancy Kent / The Lumberjack Cowboy Heartbreak Trucking Co. / Arran George / Joe McCorriston / Alex Hulme / Mylittlebrother /Baksheesh / Ben Dyson / Gritty Britain
 
Thursday
Craig Charles Funk and Soul takeover

Example to headline Kendal Calling

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The Summer Festival Guide can reveal the third headliner announced for this years Lake District's Kendal Calling festival is none other than pop star and show man Example.

Bringing his energetic show to the stunning surrounds of the Lake District, Example will perform his massive hits such as ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’, ‘Kids Again’, ‘Kickstarts’, ‘Stay Awake’, ‘Won’t Go Quietly’, ‘Say Nothing’ and ‘All The Wrong Places’, the lead single from his new album ‘Live Life Living’ which will be released in June.  Example’s live shows are joyous affairs and this crowd pleasing set of sing-along anthems set to a crescendo of fireworks will live long in the memory.

Augustines are undoubtedly one of the best recording and live acts around, a band who have always been able to tap into the raw emotion of their personal experiences and channel it into cathartic, teary eyed but smiling, booze beaten rock and roll.  The band have just released their second, self titled album and with honest, passionate emotion dripping from every chord and lyric, this is a band who somehow sound massive and instantly accessibly whilst betraying no cynicism or pomposity.  They are a fitting headliner for the Calling Out stage.
 
Example and Augustines join a huge line-up of acts including headliners Suede and Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls and a veritable smorgasbord of incredible artists such as De La Soul, 2manydjs, Happy Mondays, Miles Kane, Zane Lowe, Clean Bandit, Frightened Rabbit, Jimi Goodwin, Gorgon City, Andy C, Bondax, Mr Scruff and many more.

Kendal Calling announce Jimi Goodwin plus over 60 more!

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Kendal Calling announces another massive set of artists that will grace the Lake District festival this year.  The Summer Festival Guide has the latest lineup additions which include Jimi Goodwin, Frightened Rabbit and more!
 
Jimi Goodwin makes a welcome return to Kendal Calling having headlined the festival with his band Doves in 2010.  Jimi’s new solo album ‘Odludek’ was released this week and is a remarkable record on which he plays almost all the instruments himself.  The record has met with much critical acclaim and Jimi’s set is destined to be a festival highlight.
 
Glasgow’s Frightened Rabbit bring ringing, resonant, skyscraping guitars and songs full of heartbreak whilst Simon and Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene will play an intimate acoustic set in the Woodlands.  The epic indie folk of Admiral Fallow finds a perfect home at the beautiful Kendal Calling site and Doves are further represented in a performance from Black Rivers which is made up of Jez and Andy from the band.  Lewis Watson is a 21 year old acoustic guitar troubadour who is destined for the big time. 
 
Norma Jean Martine’s rootsy, soulful, country music has seen her explode onto the folk scene while Team Me provide bouncy Norwegian indie-pop andThe Tea Street Band will have the crowds dancing, showing why they are one of the best live electronic acts in the UK.  Dario G will make a rare appearance with a DJ set of euphoric trance that has endured over two decades and Mirror Signal’s slick beats, captivating presence and soulful voice will highlight why this 19 year old appeared on so many ‘One’s To Watch’ lists for 2014. 
 
Champs melancholy folk-pop reflects the eerily forlorn nature of their seaside home in the Isle of Wight in contrast to Gypsy Hill who will perform a staggering set of gypsy / Balkan big beat and swing.  Kendal Calling is also thrilled to welcome the force of nature that is John Robb and his band The Membranes.
 
Every year, Riot Jazz presents Interplanetary Pump Station take Kendal Callings theme and turns it on its head and this year is no different as they present Spaceship Earth.  With a wild variety of bands, ranging from their own Riot Jazz Brass Band, to rhythm ‘n’ blues, to cosmic disco and booty rattling dub, you’re guaranteed to have a great time as you escape into a world of hidden gems and more. One for the chin-scratchers and party fiends alike!
 
Kendal Calling festival is renowned for its expansive cultural offering, providing sustenance for the mind and body as an eclectic array ofperformance art, comedy and spoken word takes place over the weekend in the stunning surrounds of the Lake District.  As part of Kendal’s mix you’ll find gourmet food, a real ale festival, TIM PEAKS curated by TIM BURGESS, Q&A’s, talks, DJs, surprise sets, the dedicated children’s Ladybird Arena and much more. Kendal Calling is one of the UK’s best festivals and outstanding value at just £119 for the weekend.
 
New Artists Announced
Jimi Goodwin / Frightened Rabbit / Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene (acoustic) / Lewis Watson / Admiral Fallow / Black Rivers / Team Me / Norma Jean Martine / Mirror Signal / The Tea Street Band / Champs / Dario G (DJ set) / Lauren Aquilina / Lyger/ Big Sixes /  Etches /  Molly Warburton / Gypsy Hill / Smerins Anti-Social Club / John Langon Band / Talisman / Will Tramp!  / Drop the Mustard DJs / Zutekh DJs /  English Disco Lovers / Herbal Sessions / Dub Central / Showhawk Duo / Urban Sabotage presents: Davos LIVE / Lisbon / The Membranes / Skutch Manos / Metisa / Colt 45 / MDNGHT / Berlin / Berlin / You / $ista $ista / WALK / Honeyfeet / Harlequin Marching Band / Skittles & Live Band / Cut Capers / Lauren Housley / René / Gypsies of Bohemia / Scatters the Funky Disco Pig / The Grand Old Ukes of Yorkshire / Treedrum / Riot Jazz Brass Band / The Dakota Jim Band / Taylor Jackson / Charlie Cooper / Thingumbob & The Thingumajogs / From A Window / Buffalo Brothers / The Big Easy & Swing Dance / Flamingus / Flavia / The Bear around Your Neck / Whiskey Moon Face / Felix Hagan & The Family / Too Much Love / Saluation Dub Collective / The EME / Dave Rybka / Xander Smith

Suede and Frank Turner to headline Kendal Calling

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Set in the stunning surroundings of UK's Lake District, Kendal Calling return for 2014 with a bang!  The first lineup announcement features headliners Suede and Frank Turner.

Joining the headliners will be hip hop legends De La Soul, Miles Kane, Happy Mondays, 2manyDjs, Andy C, Radio One's Zane Lowe, Bondax, Goldie, Razorlight, Clean Bandit and many more.

2014’s first headliner Suede are one of the most revered British bands of the last 25 years with Brett Anderson and co racking up a host of much lauded indie singles and albums. After a hiatus the band returned in 2010 and released the critically and commercially acclaimed album ‘Bloodsports’ in 2013.  This is a band once again riding on the crest of wave and the first headliner to be announced with more due to follow imminently.
 
Frank Turner’s anthemic folk-punk has seen him rise to become one of the country’s biggest musical artists of the last few years, accruing a large and devoted following and placing him firmly at the forefront of the new guitar renaissance in the UK.  His five albums have given him an enviable body of work and Frank Turner is undoubtedly one of the most powerful live performers around. Frank has a real love affair with Kendal Calling having played twice before and has risen through the ranks to secure a well-deserved and much requested headline slot with his band The Sleeping Souls.
 
The much anticipated Hip Hop Legends slot this year goes to hip hop pioneers De La Soul. This slot is as much a part of Kendal Calling folklore as the fancy dress theme and the Real Ale tent and after last year’s blistering performance by Public Enemy the From The Fields team are delighted to have secured a more laid back performance from the daisy age, ‘3 Feet High and Rising’ legends who celebrate 25 years in the game in 2014.
 
Miles Kane is a man noted as much for his sharp suits and dress sense as his angular music and lyrics and this most modern of pop stars will make the short journey from Liverpool to the lakes.
 
Happy Mondays are Madchester royalty and in frontman Shaun Ryder possess and unlikely national treasure.  Their set will be a hugely anticipated affair as fans gather to hear seminal baggy anthems such as ‘Step On’, ‘Kinky Afro’, ‘Hallelujah’ and a host more as the Mondays baggy swagger engulfs the Lake District.
 
The Glow Tent is a haven for lovers of the very best in electronic music and the line-up for 2014 is the best yet.  David and Stephen Dewaele are famous worldwide as both Soulwax and2manydjs who's album "As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 1" completely revolutionized the dance music landscape in the early 2000s, for its imaginative mixture of artist and genres from all eras. 2manydj’s are widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative acts on the planet and their mash up mayhem will have Kendal Calling in raptures.
 
Other confirmed acts include RAM Records founder and drum & bass don Andy C, Radio 1’s new music head honcho Zane Lowe, electro duo and local heroes Bondax with and all-star cast of b2b sessions, Metalheadz royalty Goldie, MJ Cole and a host of other swashbuckling turntable evangelists.
Zane Lowe
 
Other confirmations include Razorlight with their arsenal of alternative anthems, Brits Critics Choice winner and keyboard pounding singer songwriter Tom Odell and recent number 1 singles acts and electronic collective Clean Bandit who are one of the most exciting breakthrough acts in the UK right now.  Newton Faulkner’s unique, percussive guitar playing and emotive songs are sure to provide one of the weekend’s biggest sing-alongs while Gorgon City get ready for your love and bring their booty shaking bass to the Lakes.
 
Other exciting acts confirmed to perform include indie stalwarts Athlete, breakthrough indie rockers Breton, Rudimental collaborator Ella Eyre, undefinable musical guru and champion tea drinker Mr Scruff.  Many more acts have been confirmed to play with hundreds more set to join them in August in arguably the most beautiful festival site in the UK. 
 
This year’s fancy dress theme is Kendal Calling Goes Beyond The Stars as the festival once again becomes a mecca for culture vultures and party people.
 
NEW for 2014 for Thursday night revellers, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club take over featuring a hand picked line up by Craig himself. Thursday will feature Chai Wallah’s and the Real Ale festival will be open for pre festival shenanigans!

Kendal Calling announce Outer Space fancy dress theme

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This years Kendal Calling have announced their theme for 2014 which will be Outer Space.  Expect the grounds of Lowther Deer Park to bhe transformed into a dazzing alien world!

Without giving away the festival's plans too much, festival-goers can beam themselves into the Calling Out tent after the bands go home to watch some of the best space films ever made and some that might surprise!  
 
Once again an attempt will be made to smash another world record. This year Kendal Calling hope to break the record for the largest moonwalk! No, we're not sending people into space!  Instead festival-goers should don their sparkly white gloves and embrace their inner MJ as they attempt to 'beat it.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
As always, Saturday will be fancy dress day and festival-goers are encouraged to suit up in keeping with the space theme, whether it be a character or object from across the galaxy such as Darth Vader, Spock, Barabella, Dr Who, Ziggy Stardust, Neil Armstrong, Captain Malcolm Reynolds, Michael Jackson or even a planet. Be as creative and as wacky as you like! In years gone by revellers have demonstrated brilliant ideas and imagination in designing and donning costumes transforming the ancient, tranquil Deer Park into a surreal, bouncing wonderland.  
 
As well as the overall space themed décor, Kendal Calling will once again have a wide variety of the very best music and performance art to excite, enlighten and entertain throughout the weekend. Keep an eye out for many more Kendal Calling announcements in the near future as this multi award winning festival continues to provide the perfect backdrop for a weekend of musical merriment in the fields.  
 

A Greener Festivals Festival Woods reach 1000 trees

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One year on and 1000 trees have been planted in the Festival Wood thanks to the generosity of the Festival Community.

The Festival Wood is an initiative set up by A Greener Festival in 2012 in partnership with the highly regarded charity Trees for Life. The project is to reforest the Caledonian highlands for its own sake to provide desperately needed natural habitat to support biodiversity and healthy ecological systems. Trees will not be felled for timber. 100% of the £5 per tree donations go to the project with no admin fees to A Greener Festival. 

A Greener Festival recently paid a visit to the Scottish Highlands, where they are planting the "Festival Wood" in Dundreggan.

Claire O'Neill and Helen Innes undertook the long journey north to plant some of the trees kindly donated this season. The most considerable donation this summer came from Electric Hotel, who donated £1 per phone charge at Shambala festival this summer. They were able to contribute 242 Trees which is fantastic!

Other donators this summer so far include Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Kendal Calling, Glastonbury Festival, ID&C, Hadra Trance Festival, Rockstar Services, Festival Mag, Et Voila Events and Peppermint Bars.

A Greener Festival donate one tree per festival that applies to its awards internationally. So far this year that makes over 50 trees.

O’Neill, Co Founder of A Greener Festival, said “Although this is a carbon positive activity, we don’t see it as an “offset scheme”. This is a reforestation project for the festival industry and all of us to give something back, and to have a long term beneficial impact on the ecosystem that our lives depend upon.”

There is still a month left of planting and all festivals, suppliers, organisers and individuals are invited to donate what they can to the commendable cause!

To donate and for more information www.agreenerfestival.com/festival-wood

Kendal Calling 2013 Review

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Penrith, home to Kendal Calling, in its 8th year this small boutique festival transports you into a fantasy playground. Expect house parties, fancy dress, entertainers and an array of hidden gems that will brighten up the beautiful surronding’s that is Cumbria, the Lake District.

Spread across 8 areas – main stage, glow tent, calling out, chai wallah, house party, riot jazz, woodlands, jagermesiter, and songsmith solar, there is plenty of music and activities to chose from.
The site itself is conveniently laid out, and considering the size of the small size of the festival, it offers a wide varitey of activities to chose from. For families with young children, there is a ladybird kids area where parenets can relax whilst the kids have fun, and if ale is your chosen tipple, head straight to the ale tent where you will find a selection of local ales.
The main stage on Friday saw the likes of Clean Bandit, Willy Moon, Public Enemy and Basement Jaxx take to the stage whilst The Lightning Seeds played an acoustic set in the calling out tent, shortly followed by Theme Park. And if dance music is more your thing then head straight to the glow tent, where you were treated to music by Artwork, Jackmaster, Bondax, Oneman and Dismantle spinning tunes into the early hours of the morning.
Public Enemy provided an energetic performance that had the crowd jumping in unison. Flava Flav was last to make an appearance onto the 10 strong band line up, and he’s energy and stage presence was worth the wait. Working the crowd and jumping around, he entertained and the crowd followed pursuit. At one point he asked the photographers to stay for an extra song as he didn’t want them to miss out on the next performance. A hard act to follow, but Basement Jaxx were next on the bill, closing the main stage on friday, The brightly colourful dance duo walked onto the stage and blew the audience away. Playing an array of feel good anthems such as Romeo, Where’s Your Head At, Oh My Gosh and Rendevous along with special guests Vula Malinga and lisa Kekaula, a perfect ending to a sun kissed evening.
Public Enemy @ Kendal Calling
Saturday’s line up included Mickey P Kerr, Dutch Uncles, The Twang, The D.O.T, Ash, I am Kloot, The Charlatans, Dub Pistols and British Sea Power gracing the stages in the heavy down poor. Mickey P Kerr provided the audience with an entertaining set, including a track called Banned from Morrisons that had everyone joining in with the chorus and it wasn’t long before everyone was in fits of laughter.
Ash @ Kendal Calling
Ash played a mixture of old classics and some tracks from their latest album that got everyone in the mood for the evenings headliner, The Charlatans. Playing a string of hits including The Only One I Know, One to Another, My Beautiful Friend, Tellin’ Stories and North Country Boy. An impressive set from a legendary band who proved why the main stage belonged to them and rocked the crowd into a frenzy.
By Sunday a lot of revellers had left the site due to the heavy rain, but the majority of people stuck it out in anticipation for seeing some iconic artists including the legendary Primal Scream. But before the nights headliners, a great selection of bands were on offer, including the witty Beans on Toast, who sang about sex, drugs, Tesco’s and politics. Entertaining the crowd, he had everyone in fits of laughter. Irish newcomers Kodaline took to the main stage to provide audiences with a selection of songs including High Hopes, to be shortly followed by The Mystery Jets.
The iconic and infamous Johnny Marr made an entrance onto the main stage and second song in he sang The Smiths classic Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, followed by I Fought the Law and Bigmouth Strikes Again.
The amazing bluesman Seasick Steve wowed the crowds with his personalised guitars and soulful voice, whilst The 1975 had the teenage girls screaming for more. And as the sun settled over Lowther Deer Park Primal Scream made a late entrance onto the main stage. Singing their classic hits including Movin’ On Up, Loaded, Jailbird and Rocks, they entertained and closed the festival in style.
If you’re looking for a small family friendly festival then head to Kendal Calling, it offers everything you can expect from a festival with a fancy dress theme on Saturday. Let your fun side out and join in the fun!
Photos by Olivia Frayman from Kendal Calling are here