Attractions

Main Stage | Glow Dance Tent | Kaylied | Calling Out | Soapbox | Real Ale Festival at the Holy Quail Pub

House Party | Fancy Dress | Happy Slap Boutique | Tim Peaks Diner | Solar Songsmith | Garden of Eden

Ladybird Childrens area | Riot Jazz | The Woods

MAIN STAGE

This truly stunning outdoor arena with it’s natural amphitheatre lined by ancient oak trees plays host to an array of handpicked international and current artists.

By day sit beneath the trees and soak up the sounds, by night be part of epic star lit headline performances.

This stage has played host to Blondie, The Streets, Chase & Status, Doves, The Cribs, House of Pain and Badly Drawn Boy to name a few.

GLOW DANCE TENT

 

Expect a diverse dance line-up bursting at the seams     with classic artists and red hot up and coming acts all with one thing in common - they k

now how to explode a crowd! Renowned DJs and live dance acts from the UK and around the globe will be making sure you’re dancing your socks off throughout the weekend.

Over the years we have staged Erol Alkan, Chase and Status, Nero, Adam Freeland,  Krafty Kuts, Skream, Beardyman and loads of other top disc jockeys and live button bashing electro monkeys.

KAYLIED

Cumbrain Dialect for Intoxicated.. and you will be by the music on offer!

Since it joined the festival as a new feature in 2008 the Kaylied stage has played host to some astounding names in folk, world and roots music. Mumford & Sons, Frank Turner and Michael Kiwanuka have all performed to intimate crowds in this venue. It's also the first festival stage Craig Charles erupted with his Funk & Soul magic so don't hesitate in checking out new artists.

In the daytime we welcome back Global Local bringing you the best emerging musical remix talent the UK has to offer. From Roma to rumba, Latin beats to Afro funk, new folk to no folk, basically the finest cutting-edge sounds which blend innovation and tradition.

www.globallocal.co.uk

Into the night it's time for more beats to move your feet to rural style. An actual Ceilidh will be taking place on Friday night courtesy of The Monster Ceilidh band, a first for Kendal Calling and quite literally a knees up!

 

CALLING OUT

New music, new music, more new music! A variety of styles and genres with one thing bringing them together - a thirst and energy for performing! This is the place to witness the most exciting new music from across the UK and internationally. 

Kendal Calling began through a thirst for supporting new music from the North West and Calling Out continues that passion by giving new acts a stage to really let loose musically and gain new fans. Be sure to check out as many fresh acts as you can. The past years have seen the stage play host to the likes of Wild Beasts, Pulled Apart By Horses, Dananananaykroyd, Fenech Soler and General Fiasco to name but a few.

SOAPBOX

A place for laughter, tomfoolery, the extraordinary and the eccentric. Be prepared to be surprised by a weekend full of sensory excitement featuring everything from stand up comedy, slam poetry to Salsa 

dancing. Over the years Soapbox has had Howard Marks telling us about how he kept Lion poo in hishouse, John Cooper clark regaling tales from his years as a punk poet and Charlie from The Love Police explaining just how he got arrested for thought crimes ahead of the Royal Wedding.

This year we will have a whole host of crazy performers, comedians and speakers lined up for you. A full announcement will be coming soon.

REAL ALE FESTIVAL AT THE HOLY QUAIL PUB

A festival within a festival and one for those who enjoy a good local pint. With over 14 ales on offer all brewed in the Lake District you can be sure to experience the true flavour of the hills and the valleys. We even have our own specially brewed Kendal Calling ale –  Kendale! Held onsite at our festival pub The Holy Quail, the real ale festival is supported and curated by CAMRA allowing revellers to sample some fine beers while soaking up the festival atmosphere.

THE HOUSEPARTY

Righto gang, here comes another three day house party in a field! It's going to be as crackers as ever - there'll be beds to jump on, wardrobes to grab from and a welcoming sofa whenever you fancy joining us. As the Guardian described it -  ‘A perfect night out, you’ll be dancing one minute and talking broken biscuits in the kitchen the next.’

The girls from Dance Lady Dance have lined up an extra special evening of glitter and glamour beneath the mirror ball. Sunday is going to be an extra special Sunday Service including a choir delivering some of your fave songs - Hip Hop karaoke? Why of course! Just like last year one lucky festival goer will become a DJ for an hour on Friday night so stay tuned and it could be you.

Every night will see a host of awesome DJs from all genres and Dave Haslam and Will Tramp will be along for their annual legendary sets. As always there'll be some extra special surprises - last year The LAs stopped by for an impromptu set, their first festival show in over a decade!

So, it's all back to ours again. Wipe your feet but don't worry if you spill something. In fact, take an ornament as a memento. It's an essential part of a night out at Kendal Calling and it's going to be as crackers as ever.

FANCY DRESS

 

This is where you're in charge! We were stunned by the amazing costumes that appeared last year for our theme of Beasts & Machines. You really did turn the Deer park into another world, just check the gallery for some hilarious outfits (Zoidberg being one of our favourites).

This year we will be inviting you to get dressed up again and we have a great theme in mind....... keep your eye's out for the announcement on this.

 

HAPPY SLAP BOUTIQUE

Happy Slap Boutique returns with an explosion of make up artists, actors, DJs, circus performers and other creative talents collaborating to make the best, most ridiculous party you have ever experienced. 

Throughout the day we'll be offering free costume and circus workshops as well as dazzling your eyes with sidesplitting performances and walk around theatre. During the sunny daytimes Happy Slap Boutique will also be offering festival make-up to spruce up your fancy dress and create a personlised look, unique every time. With professional make-up artists, we’ll be ready and waiting to transform your face, hair and body! 

When dark comes prepare to experience the bizarre and outrageous as we unleash a whole manner of mischievous surprises to keep you entertained. This is where our resident DJs (and secret guests) bring the night to life accompanied by fire performances, rave aerobics, burlesque (as you’ve never seen it before!) and much, much more! It’s always a surprise so come play and party at Happy Slap Boutique!

Check out the Happy Slap Boutique website and facebook page for more information!

TIM PEAKS DINER

Tim Peaks is the newest addition to what's going on at Kendal Calling and we think you're gonna love it. Starting life as a metaphysical/metaphorical (or virtual) diner on twitter and BBC 6Music, The Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess's created a virtual world of listening parties, tea  and happenings and he'll be setting up for real for three days of fun in the fileds. He'll be supplying the best in music, DJs, book readings, poetry and a place to enjoy a well deserved cuppa.

Taking up residence in a new part of the site, Tim Peaks will have something for everyone - a jukebox curated by Tim, some of his friends you might know and even some of you. There'll be chainsaw art, a giant mosaic that'll take shape over the 3 days. The man himself will be DJing and reading from his autobiography as well as curating events with some help from 6Music's Elizabeth Alker and City Life's Sarah Walters.

There'll be one of Tim's legendary listening parties. Going through each of The Charlatans' singles one by one - people listen around the world, he tweets, you can ask questions, and keep up with all the tweets on screen. Then, it all gets turned into a cartoon strip

http://proofspirit.co.uk/tim-peaks/

DJs, music, tea and sympathy from 10am to midnight. Now, let's get the kettle on ;p

SONGSMITH SOLAR

Striving to be as environmentally friendly as possible, Kendal Calling have booked Songsmith Solar Stage for this year’s event. Complete with eco friendly, quality soundsystems this stage is inspirational in it’s own right; not to mention the feast on fantastic artists who will play on it! Get set for some sun powered vibes from acoustic performers, leftfield poets, buskers and new age troubadours.

GARDEN OF EDEN

Lowther Deer Park is situated within Cumbria's Eden Valley so this really is the Garden of Eden. Place your wish on the Elysium tree “a place of ideal happiness” in the fields. Go for a massage, treat yourself to a therapy, try homeopathic treatments, or simply relax in an area of serenity away from the rest of the festival buzz whilst you prepare for another evening of indulgence.

 

THE VILLAGE GREEN

 

There is nothing better than finding a little common ground and meeting some new faces. You will find delicious treats to eat and a relaxed atmosphere anytime of day and by night a bustling vibe. The village green is located in the campsite and is open when the arena is closed. Songsmith Solar stage can be found in this area too.

 

 

 

KIDS AREA

At Kendal Calling and like to see all ages having fun together. Bring the kids along to enjoy workshops on percussion making and music; movement and mask making; and settle down for a bit of storytelling and puppetry. There will also be an array of games and activities throughout the day - and all of this is free!

LADYBIRD CHILDREN, TEENS & ALL THE FAMILY AREA

The Ladybird is delighted to return for its third year at kendal calling, and **WOW!!** This is set to be the most dazzling, most silly, most creative, biggest dollop of fun filled activities, workshop,s games and family focused entertainment we have ever brought to the wonderful fields of Lowther Deer Park!  New for this year we have a completely New programme of Drop in Crafty activities and great performance workshops, running all day long, being COMPLETELY FREE TO EVERYONE and requiring NO previous experience, this is the perfect place for anyone of any age to come and find a little creative journey to go on.   

As well as a great array of teen activities and workshops, We also have places for teenagers and young adults who want to come and help us tech the cabaret, work on the lighting and sound mixing stations, learn how to drum up a crowd by joining one of our walkabout theatre troupes, generally get involved in the important stuff, or even perform on our stage if they fancy a stint under the lights.

In the evening, when all the frantic antics of the day are done we have the Ladybird's Fantastic Family Friendly Cabaret, which gained a loyal following last year, with some families liking it so much they've been emailing us desperate to know what's coming up next!  All the entertainment throughout the evening until we close is FAMILY FOCUSED!  Designed to be accessible for the whole family, safe for kids but will have the parents rolling with laughter, you can happily spend the whole evening with us safe in the knowledge that you'll all have a fantastic time.  Watch this space for more info on what great acts are coming up!

The Woodland

Coming soon....

Riot Jazz

Coming soon....