Latest news with #KendalCalling
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Remembering Kendal Calling: the homegrown festival that's flourishing
THIS year marks the 20th anniversary of Kendal Calling, and we're looking back on the festival that put Cumbria on the music map. Charlotte Morrison-Larton and Lisa Jackson at the festival in 2015 (Image: Harry Atkinson) The music and arts event is held annually at Lowther Deer Park, with this year's beginning on July 31. It has grown from a two-day, 900 capacity festival in 2006 to a 40,000 capacity four-day extravaganza. Crowds gather ahead of Snoop Dogg performing on the main stage Kendal Calling has nine stages and has featured live performances from notable artists such as Blondie, Pendulum, Doves, Dizzee Rascal, James, Mumford & Sons, Calvin Harris and British Sea Power. Wigton group Aimee Kirkbride, Joanne Charters, Gary Armstrong, Trevor Charters, Becky Kirkbride and (front) Mark Armstrong In 2010 it was named the Best Small UK Festival at the UK Festival Awards, as voted by the public. It also won the industry award 'Best Small Festival' at the LIVE UK awards 2011. Laura Doggett performs on the Calling Out stage (Image: Newsquest) Kendal Calling was originally held in Abbot Hall Park overlooked by Kendal Castle. It had a capacity of 900 with a circus big top housing the majority of the performances. Friends from Appleby watch Less Than Jake perform on the main stage In 2007 it relocated to Grate Farm on the A591 on the outskirts of Kendal and saw an increased capacity of 2,000 with more stages added to accommodate additional artists. The following year saw the festival increase capacity again to 4,000 and extending to three days, with the winner of the Best Urban Act Dizzee Rascal flying in from Ibiza to perform on the opening Friday night only to fly back again straight after the show for a performance back on the island. Hens from Lancaster at Kendal Calling in 2015 In 2009 the festival relocated again, moving to its current home of Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, and raising its capacity to 6,000. The 20th anniversary festival has Courteeners, Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy and Kaiser Chiefs topping the bill. Other big names set to perform this year include Sophie Ellis Bextor, Travis, The Wombats, Frank Turner, Maximo Park, Corinne Bailey Rae and Jason Manford. Fans watch Grandmaster Flash perform in the Glow Tent (Image: Newsquest) Founder Andy Smith described Kendal Calling's growth as 'quite extraordinary'. He said: 'It's become a celebration for people who travel from all over and for the community we're deeply rooted in. Molly Warburton from Lancaster performs on the Woodlands Stage (Image: Newsquest) 'When we started, it was just a group of teenagers with this wild idea of bringing music and arts to the Lakes. 'Now, 20 years on, it's grown beyond anything we could have imagined. Record ticket sales have poured in and it's honestly humbling.'
North Wales Chronicle
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Gwynedd DJ, 10, releases Welsh dance track as debut single
Efan Electro, whose real name is Efan Henri, discovered his love of electronic music at just seven - since then, he's performed at Welsh festivals, even sharing the bill with Judge Jules. His debut track, Dyheadau, also uses the Welsh language - Efan hopes his music will help inspire other young artists to keep Welsh alive and relevant in new spaces. He said: 'I love DJing and producing music, and I want people to hear Welsh in dance tracks, too; not just rock and pop. 'It's my language, and it belongs in modern music as much as anywhere else.' The track has already started generating attention across social media, with early praise coming from fans of both Welsh music and electronic genres. Dyheadau, which means 'aspirations', is a dance track that reflects Efan's love of classic house and modern electro sounds. It is available to listen to now on Spotify and other major platforms. Efan has also been confirmed to perform at several UK festivals this summer, including Kendal Calling and Lakefest. In addition to live shows, Efan is currently developing his second single, which is expected to be released later this year. He continues to produce music from his home studio and is receiving mentorship from established figures in the UK dance scene. His work forms part of a wider movement by young Welsh artists using music as a way to promote cultural heritage through modern platforms.
Metro
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
I went to a festival alone and realised going with friends is foolish
It was a summer evening in the Lake District and I was at Kendal Calling Festival, listening to a jam session in a music tent, when the battered old piano became free. As a lifelong keyboard player, I asked if I could have a go, then promptly took my place. Soon after, the crowd and I were belting out Robbie Williams and Billy Joel over the embers of a small fire pit, and I had a sudden realisation. This was the best time I'd ever had at a festival. True, I didn't have anyone I actually knew to share the moment with, because I was at this festival on my own, but it didn't matter. I was enjoying myself. So much so, in fact, that I would thoroughly recommend going solo and will be doing only this from now on. As a musical comedian, I have attended my fair share of festivals, sometimes working, sometimes in the audience, and nearly always with friends. On this occasion in 2023, however, I had been invited to perform at Kendal Calling. I was given an artist's pass for the weekend, and a plus one. All the friends I asked were busy, or already had weekend plans with their partners that didn't involve getting muddy in a field. And as I'd broken up with my girlfriend at the start of the year, options were limited. I didn't want to invite a casual acquaintance to sleep in a tent with me for three days – so, in the end, I set off to the Lake District on my own. As an experienced performer, I didn't need anyone to support me at the gig. But I did worry about the stigma of being alone at a festival. Comedians don't tend to have a big entourage, but it's rare for someone to be entirely on their own. Lugging my backpack and keyboard to the campsite entrance, those doubts became amplified: Was this a mistake? Were people going to stare? Would security laugh at this sad loner, this human personification of a microwave dinner for one? But it was only as I got to the main area that it finally hit me – no one cared that I was there by myself. Festivals are chaotic and everyone is doing something bizarre. Who's going to judge someone's social status if they've just had a dance-off in the rave tent with a stranger dressed as Deadpool? I was also quickly reminded of how friendly festival-goers are. One moment I'd be chatting to the person next to me about a folk singer, the next I was in the cinema tent discussing which food stall to go to next. And not once did anyone say anything about me being on my own. Sometimes people would split off, or I'd lose them, or I'd realise I was inadvertently third-wheeling a couple's weekend away and slip off myself. But instead of feeling left out, I loved the freedom of dipping in and out of conversations. Plus, I'm a naturally introverted person, so I was relieved to find once my social battery was drained I had no obligation to make conversation – I could make my excuses and move on. The other benefit to going solo was that I actually saw everything I wanted to see. With a group there's usually a lot more discussion about options and you'd have to make concessions about acts and activities. This time, on my own, I got to see them all. I had no arguments. I didn't leave my favourite acts early because someone was hungry. And I was safe from humiliation, as no one I knew saw me dancing to an oom-pah band. I had plenty of room in my tent and, near the end of the weekend, as I sat in the artists' area listening to Delights' 1989 on a loop, I even had the space to relax. Festivals should be an escape, and sitting on a tatty sofa in a field with the sunny Lake District in front of me, I truly felt at ease. It was like meditation, except with more artisan pizza stalls. You don't feel lonely when you're surrounded by friendly people who want you to feel as happy as they do. And somehow, on your own, you feel part of something bigger and the experience is more memorable. More Trending That's what playing that battered old piano taught me. When you're on your own, the unexpected can happen, allowing you to do what you really enjoy. So I'll be going to plenty more festivals alone, feeling more comfortable doing my own thing and starting up conversations with strangers than I ever had before. It'll mean time for reflection, and actually enjoying the festival without any group management. Is that selfish? Maybe. Will I enjoy it? Definitely. Is Deadpool man still dancing? We'll never know. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I was hoping for my rainbow baby but it was a molar pregnancy MORE: I lost my dad but he's still alive. Father's Day is depressing MORE: My dad was jailed for raping me – then he did it again
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kendal Calling issue tribute to 'genius' Brian Wilson
Kendal Calling has issued a tribute following the death of The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Wilson was the eldest and last surviving of the three musical brothers who formed the American rock band in 1961, alongside their cousin Mike Love and school friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys performed at the Cumbrian festival in 2017 alongside Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers and Franz Ferdinand. A spokesperson for Kendal Calling said on Instagram: 'We are very sad to hear the news of Brian Wilson's passing. 'Genius is a term often overused but not in this instance. Undoubtedly one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a master of his craft. 'We had the pleasure of hosting Brian in the Deer Park back in 2017 - it was one of those real 'pinch me' moments getting to see his name on a Kendal Calling poster.'
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Pixie Lott cradles her baby bump in green dress days after announcing second pregnancy live on stage
PREGNANT Pixie Lott proudly showed off her baby bump for the first time since announcing she's expecting her second child. The pop star, 34, surprised fans at the Mighty Hoopla festival in London at the weekend by sharing her happy news while performing on stage. Advertisement 6 Pregnant Pixie Lott held her burgeoning bump in a new photo shoot Credit: Instagram 6 The Voice Kids star dressed in an eye-catching 60s style Credit: Instagram 6 Pixie smiled as she held her son Albert, one Credit: Instagram Pixie, who is five months into her pregnancy, had plenty of energy as she danced around the stage and sang tracks from her new album, Encino, as well as old classics. Now, in a new photo shoot, she placed her hand on her tummy as she knelt in the grass wearing a floaty green mini dress. She wore 60s style shades, tied her blonde hair back and broke into a big smile as she was joined by son Albert, one. She and husband Oliver Cheshire, 36, revealed they call their son Bertie after celebrating his Christening in 2023. Advertisement READ MORE ON PIXIE LOTT Pixie sent her fans into a frenzy on Sunday when she declared: "I'm having another baby!" And she's not slowing down any time soon with performances scheduled at Foodies Festival, Kendal Calling and a Formula E race weekend in the coming months. The couple met at a Select Models event in 2010 - with Oliver popping the question in November 2016 . Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Last month Pixie Lott performs at the Six Nations rugby She told The Sun: "I have already been working on some new music. I don't want it to be as big a gap as it was before. "It was a really long time. It won't be as long this time. I am excited about some of the tracks already. "I love music documentaries, they are so fascinating. I love where you get to see the real behind the scenes stuff so I think that would be really fun to do." Advertisement 6 The singer made the announcement live at Mighty Hoopla Credit: Corinne Cumming 6 Pixie and Oliver married in 2022 Credit: Instagram 6 The couple got together in 2010 Credit: MEGA
