Kendal Calling, now in its 6th year, is Cumbria’s premier music festival. Having attended Kendal since the early days I have watched it grow into the success that it is today. Although Kendal Calling has grown in size somewhat it still maintains its independent vibe that festivals of the same size have lost over the years. 

Kendal Calling won Best Small Festival at the UK Festival Awards last year and I was curious to see if it was going to live up to the title in 2011.

We started our Kendal adventure by watching Riot Jazz Brass Band on the main stage then taking a wander around the site and admiring the art dotted all around the beautiful deer park. It was nice to notice that Kendal Calling had added more art this year and there was no shortage of activities to keep the younger festival goers happy, whilst the adults could visit the local beer tent and sample a print of Kendal’s own real ale KendALE Calling, safe in the knowledge that their children were being well looked after and kept amused by the many entertainers on site.

After enjoying a pint or two of KendALE calling we were drawn to the sounds coming from the main stage and watched a very impressive set by Oldham band The Whip who uplifted the crowd with their blend of electro rock, House of Pain were up next throwing out their classic back catalogue and sending the crowd into what looked like a field of jack in the boxes with their signature song ‘Jump Around’. As darkness fell Chase & Status graced the main stage and gave the crowd a very entertaining headline slot. We also noticed the band The Lancashire Hotpots raving in the crowd to the surprise of many Hotpot fans who raced over for dance and to have pictures taken with the band.

On Saturday we woke up very early as the midsummer sun was belting down on our tents, we decided to head into the arena to checkout the main stage and we were met by the delightful sounds of Alice Gold who performed an excellent set even though drummer was absent for her first few songs but she didn’t let this hinder her performance. As the arena started to fill up it was obvious it was the day for fancy dress with thousands of people dressed very creatively from everything from condom machines to herds of tigers.

 As the afternoon went on we decided to checkout the acts on the smaller stages and discovered some very talented artists including Mount Fabric, a moody rock band from Manchester in the Kaylied tent,and Olfar, a rock style folk band on the Calling Out stage. The Kendal Calling organisers have a good ear for showcasing new talent and the smaller stages is where this can be found, if you can drag yourself away from the main stage.

Sunday was upon us and it was the day everyone seemed to be waiting for, the day Blondie would headline the festival but before Blondie would perform to the excited crowd Kendal had some other music treats in store with performances from comedy band The Lancashire Hotpots, Frank Turner and The Levellers. As the sun started to set the Debbie Harry chants got louder and the homemade T-shirts and banners came out.

As Blondie made her entrance onto the main stage with big hair and oversized sunglasses the crowd went into a frenzy, chanting her name until she started her first songs  'Union' and 'Atomic'. The crowd lapped up all the classics and participated in the bands newer material singing along to every word, whilst a few over excited fans crowd surfed to the front to try and share the stage with Debbie.

After Blondie had wowed the crowd it was time for Craig Charles to close the festival as he has done for the last three years, marking the end of Kendal Calling for another year with his ‘Funk and Soul DJ Set’ the tent was packed and everyone boogied the night away to the diverse mix sounds from Marvin Gay, to funk and soul mashups including a soul version of Rage Against The Machines track ‘Killing In The Name’

Same time again next year? Without a doubt… Kendal Calling is Cumbria’s musical Jewel in the crown.