Kendal Calling - Siobhan spills the beans.

Set in the sunny and picturesque Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District, Kendal Calling returned for its 11th and arguably, best year on 28th to 31st July.

Tantamount to the festival's success is purely due to word of mouth and I have witnessed it grow rapidly each year.

Already saving for next years tickets many were not put off easily, even with the putrid aroma of compost toilets - which is still hot in my nostrils -  what organisers have lined up to beat this year, who knows but this was the one to beat.

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN

Catfish sets are synonymous for high energy, rowdy crowds and sing-alongs - their headline stage takeover was nothing less.

The Llandudno lads sauntered on stage to Dean Martin classic, Ain't that a Kick in the Head before Van McCann belted out tunes from both their albums, then left the crowd with Tyrants, certainly making a tough act for Rudimental to follow.

BLOSSOMS

Blossoms Facebook.

The Stockport five-piece kicked off the festival's weekend by completely filling up the Calling Out stage, leaving hundreds to listen the band from outside. Their completely new-wave tracks bewitched the crowds, causing a huge stir amongst people within and outside the tent, casting a spell upon the audience.

After an explosive twelve months, Blossoms returned to Kendal Calling, were set to release their debut album on August 5th to which the response has been phenomenal.

If the next year goes half as well, they could even headline the 12th year.

THE CHADELICS

Returning from last years performance, this local Cumbrian band went from the modest Woodlands stage to scoring daytime main stage slot.

Catching the attention of many passers-by, causing a stir, with their essence of Punk, the crowd swelled with each track and are definitely ones to watch for next year, let's hope its three years on the trot for The Chadelics.

MODERN MINDS

Deep in the woods of the Lost Eden, the Woodlands stage was where Brummie indie rockers Modern Minds could be found.

Voiced by the gravelling tones of Luke Pritchard, the band got the crowd dancing and singing along, covering The Stone Roses and even incorporating lines from Skepta's Shut Down to one of their own tracks.

THE HIVES

Fronted by Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, the Swedish band are most notable for their track Tick Tick Boom but played for just under an hour and there was no doubting Almqvist had the crowd eating out his hands.

One guy next to me said: “Everyone pack your bags, The Hives have shut the festival!”.


MADNESS

The Camden crowd pleasers drew in a demographic of all ages especially with the announcement of a new album. Can't Touch Us Now.

Playing through the classics, their encore included the likes of Nightboat to Cairo.

As the flashing lights dimmed, Suggs chanted “It was a party, it was a party, it was a proper proper proper proper party”, to the discordant utopian Ska music that Madness is infamous for.

NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS

Eagerly greeted by a sea of bucket hats, Noel rocked through Everybody’s on the Run before opening up a can of Oasis, dedicating “Half the World Away” to The Royle Family, which was co-created by Caroline Aherne who sadly passed away earlier on last month.

Banter with his fans continued in-between songs ending his set with the classic, Don’t Look Back in Anger.

The usually subdued Noel proclaimed he a good time, posting on instagram after his set:

Blimey..!!..Kendal Calling..!! That was pretty fucking good I must say. Didn't think Y-Not could be topped but Holy Shit Balls you did us all proud. FANK YOU. Picture by Big Shaz..x

A photo posted by Noel Gallagher (@themightyi) on Aug 1, 2016 at 3:44am PDT

Words Siobhan Corcoran