Returning in 2020 to mark its 15th birthday, Kendal Calling is shaping up to be a true highlight of the festival summer with an unmissable weekend of entertainment for all ages. Packed with stunning headliners, the best in singalong favourites and a true festival experience nestled in the gorgeous Lake District. With the likes of headliners Foals, Stereophonics, Supergrass and Primal Scream already confirmed, more must-see names are set to leave their mark on a birthday party like no other this summer.
New Names Announced
Effortlessly cool and undeniably iconic, Goldfrapp have become an electric powerhouse lead by the distinct presence of Alison Goldfrapp herself. Across a nearly 20 year career, their immediate synth-pop sounds have pushed the boundaries of electronic music – with the likes of ‘Ride A White Horse’, ‘Ooh La La’ and ‘Number 1’ ready-made for big festival moments. Taking the stage at Kendal Calling this year, be ready to be drawn into an unfiltered world of swirling pop perfection.
Evolving into one of the most cherished Manchester bands of recent times, The Slow Readers Club are set to be a true highlight at this year’s Kendal Calling. After stepping in at the last minute to deliver a blistering set last year on the Calling Out Stage, the sheer demand to see their unbridled live show means their return for Kendal’s 15th birthday was inevitable.
Hailed by critics for their offbeat and eccentric indie style, Feet will bring their aptly titled debut album ‘What’s Inside Is More Than Just Ham?’ for a bonkers live party that needs to be seen to be believed, while Scottish indie blazers Retro Video Club will be putting their foot down with an amplified kick to Lowther Deer Park. With the likes of Stanleys, Marie White, Lindsay Munroe also announced today, Kendal Calling continues to add to a phenomenal lineup perfect for the festival summer and its 15th Birthday celebrations.
Ready for their debut appearance at Kendal Calling, Feet said:
“Kendal will be a nice one for sure, tenting in the wilderness always makes for a much more immersive experience than Reading’s Ramada Inn. Though it’s said to be easier to sleep in rural areas, Harry’s endless string of DofE anecdotes will see to that!”
Speaking about joining the bill, Retro Video Club said:
“Can’t wait to play the festival, we’ve seen how big the line up has been the last few years, and are delighted to be involved!”
Unmissable Takeovers
Buzzing with special takeovers and curated masterclasses, Kendal Calling has called upon some very special friends to help make its 15th birthday even greater. A fixture at the festival over the years, Frank Turner has helped co-curate a very special Xtra Mile Recordings Takeover, taking over The Woodlands Stage for a day packed with some of his and the label’s favourite artists. Including the previously revealed Skinny Lister, Sonic Boom Six, Ducking Punches and Brand New Friend, the earnest tales of Sean McGowan will be carving their own stories at this year’s festival – with Non Canon, Deux Furieuses and Guise also confirmed for the unique celebration you’ll only find at Kendal Calling.
Sean McGowan said:
“I’m well up for Kendall Calling this year. I’ve been wanting to tick it off my list for a while. Really excited to get in amongst it!”
Manchester’s Off-Axis will be taking over The Woodlands Stage for another day full of curated gems, lead by Kid Kapachi, whose set is bound to be an unstoppable tour-de-force of the infectious power that has seen Radio 1’s Jack Saunders tip them for huge things. Alongside the immediacy of False Advertising, Dakota Avenue, The Northern Threads and more – it’s a day full of discovering your next favourite band. Likewise, incredible music charity Brighter Sound will be curating their own day titled Both Sides Now – with stunning local talent such as Natalie McCool, Mali Hayes, Iora and Dilettante bringing their own sparks to proceedings. It ensures that at every turn, Kendal Calling is serving up the undeniable.
Introducing… Carneville!
Bringing the fun and games to new storied heights, Kendal Calling will be ushering in their 15th birthday celebrations with ‘Carneville’ – a new immersive funfair destination at the festival full of stages (including two new stages for 2020), traditional funfair games and rides alongside a cast of quirky characters and more across the new late-night area! Full of odd goings-on, expect all the favourites to make an appearance within Carneville, including Hook A Duck, the Coconut Shy, Helter Skelters, Merry-Go-Rounds and more – it combines that feeling of being at a classic funfair with that added Kendal twist. Full of surprise moments, a range of sideshows to witness and more, expect to get lost in the ‘Carneville’ and its twisted magic.
Within the ‘Carneville’, an eclectic world of special takeovers await – with Yam Riot returning in 2020 with curators bringing their own spin on proceedings. By day, BBC Introducing In Cumbria will be serving up some of the best in local emerging talent, with the likes of Delagrave, Flynt, Prowles, Hardwicke Circus and more confirmed across the weekend. By night, Yam Riot is destined to come alive with the sound of Earache Records. Fresh from curating stages at Glastonbury and Boomtown, they head to Kendal Calling with a no-nonsense bill of punk and heavy riffers – with the previously announced Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Massive Wagons, Hacktivist, Nova Twins and Black Futures amongst a ripping bill primed to shake Lowther Deer Park at its core.
Will Harris, vocalist and pianist for mylittlebrother, said:
“We can’t wait to get back to play Kendal Calling again. This will be our fifth time there and we’re always greeted by an amazing crowd. The line-up this year is something else!”
Jon Dawes, playing the Yam Riot stage at Kendal Calling 2020 said:
“I’m really happy to be part of this year and I’m looking forward to showing and playing my new material. It’ll be my first time ‘solo’, although I’ll be joined by a few others on-stage, having played at Kendal Calling drumming for Hexed Hands in 2011, through to Paper Cranes’ first big festival in 2013 and playing the Lakeside Sessions, to lastly playing with them in 2018 to a packed-out Yam Riot tent. It’s a fresh start with a new EP that I’ve been promoting, so there’s good things to look forward to this year – Kendal Calling being one of them!”
Just Yam Riot you say? Think again, with two new stages setting up shop within ‘Carneville’ this year at Kendal Calling, there’s a whole world within a world to discover. Want that glorious moment to kickback and singalong to some of the all-time greats? Well, The Funhouse might just be the place for you. The perfect space paying homage to the acts you thought you’d never see in Lowther Deer Park, expect to hear the likes of Rage Against The Machine (The Machine Rages On), Pulp (Pulp Friction), Oasis (Oasis Maybe), Daft Punk (Daft Funk Live), The Smiths (These Smiths) and more under one roof. Now that’s how to do a festival.
Laugh Out Loud Comedy With The Soapbox Stage
Side-splitting sights in the fields you say? That’s a guarantee, when the famed Soapbox stage returns to Kendal Calling this year with a hilarious programme of comedians cracking smiles throughout the weekend. Panel show titan Marcus Brigstocke will be making himself at home at Lowther Deer Park this year, with not just a peerless standup headline set to look forward to, but also bringing a very special The Early Edition alongside Andre Vincent – an adaptation of the acclaimed BBC show providing a sideways look at current affairs and the news at large to kickstart a stunning morning in the Lake District. Also topping the bill, one-liner maestro Gary Delaney will head to the Lake District this year for a set packed with more jokes a minute than the Lowther Deer Park has ever seen before. Breakthrough favourite Tez Ilyas will make his way to Kendal Calling this year, with performances across the weekend from Matt Reed, Jojo Sutherland, Elf Lyons, Mark Nelson, Daisy Earl, Rachel Jackson, Morgan Rees, Danny McLoughlin, Pete Otway and more! Complete with a special Main Stage appearance from Bill Bailey, it ensures Kendal Calling is delivering a comedy programme that’ll be filling the fields with laughter in no time.
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A peerless weekend full of every ingredient needed to make the perfect festival experience, Kendal Calling 2020 looks set to go down in the record books. Featuring headline performances from Foals, Stereophonics, Supergrass and Primal Scream, alongside a star-studded bill across the weekend including Blossoms, Craig David Presents TS5, The Kooks, Dizzee Rascal, You Me At Six, DMA’s, Johnny Marr, Sister Sledge, Shaggy, Pale Waves, The Zutons, The Magic Gang, Easy Life, Jade Bird, The Murder Capital and many more.
Set in the incredible setting of the Lake District’s Lowther Deer Park, this innovative, fan-focused, independent festival is renowned for more than just music with visitors enjoying four days of arts installations, comedy, cabaret, cinema, magic, kids’ entertainment, gourmet food and real ale all within the confines of what is surely the most beautiful festival site in the UK. Expect gaming delights at every turn, from retro arcade games, crazy challenges, legendary characters, the costume parade and retro sports day fun all setting up shop across the weekend.
A celebration of 15 spectacular years in the fields, looking back at the festival’s incredible history while looking ahead to an even brighter future – extraordinary ticket demand has been seen over the past month, with second release tickets now sold out and third tier tickets selling extremely fast. To avoid disappointment, head to www.kendalcalling.co.uk for more.