14-07-2025
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.'
