We don’t know about you, but we can’t stop daydreaming of sunny afternoons in the fields, surrounded by our best mates, beer in hand, belting out the hits of our favourite bands!
So much so, that we’ve decided to put together a list of fifty unmissable moments at Kendal Calling 2023. From first-time headline sets to the wild creative cornucopia of Lost Eden, a treat for all five senses awaits in the Lakes this Summer. Without further ado, here’s a run down of the moments we’re most looking forward to…
50 UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS AT KENDAL CALLING 2023!
1. Boogie with Blossoms as they finally take their rightful place as headliners at Kendal Calling 2023! From classics like ‘Charlemagne’ through to ‘There’s A Reason Why’ – a run through of their greatest hits from a decade in the limelight awaits.
2. Speaking of moving your feet, kick off the party early doors with Nile Rodgers and CHIC as the disco pioneers and song writing maestro return to Lowther.
3. It’s our biggest headlining moment to date with Kasabian joining us in the Deer Park! Serge and the crew are seasoned veterans of the top of the bill, but this will be their first outing to the Lake District
4. Meander through the woods and explore the immersive world of Lost Eden, from mini micro venues to mesmerising art installations – a world of wonder awaits within our forest of mystery.
5. Mosh away in the final moments of the festival as Royal Blood will bring the weekend to a close with an epic and loud Sunday night finale!
6. He’s never gonna give you up, nor let you down! Rick Astley will be bringing the 80s hits to Kendal this Summer, and maybe we’ll even see him team up with his old friends for a few Smiths tunes…
7. A podcast? At a festival? Yes, this is no fraudulent slip. JaackMaate along with Robbie and Stevie will be hosting their Happy Hour in the Parklands tent on Friday afternoon!
8. Sink a stein or two in our Bavarian wonderland that is Oktoberfest! A great place to relax with your pals with the ambience of the Main Stage in the background.
9. Catch a folk superstar in the Woodlands! Newton Faulkner is heading into the woods this year with the treetop backdrop providing the perfect ambience for his uplifting back catalogue.
10. Explore the world with music from across the globe in Chai Wallah – whether it’s jazz, funk, hip hop, soul, ska, or reggae, you’ll find an array of different genres taking to the stage across the weekend.
11. Feel positively tiny while staring at GAIA. Our photo-realistic earth hung ethereally from the trees in Lost Eden will return, putting everything into perspective.
12. He’s back… Frank Turner returns! We’re so pleased to have an absolute Kendal legend join us this year. A huge headline set on Parklands awaits!
13. Spend the early hours in the rave cave as Glow takes over Parklands with Mike Skinner, Jaguar Skills, Paul Woolford and more taking to the decks.
14. Belt out Torn. Surely the biggest sing along of the weekend? All the way from Australia, Natalie Imbruglia is escaping to the Lakes and will be leading us all in hitting the high notes of her seminal noughties hit.
15. Let the kids loose while you relax with a nice cup of coffee! Kids Calling is back, looking after the next generation of Kendal Callers. With plenty to keep all ages entertained, from live theatre to craft workshops to inflatables – there are some core memories to be made.
16. Lose it to Confidence Man. We’re telling you now, this will be the act everyone is talking about all weekend – an infectious performance like no other awaits on Saturday afternoon!
17. Catch Jack Bauer! Kiefer Sutherland – yes, that Kiefer Sutherland will be performing in Parklands in what is set to be one of the most surreal moments of the weekend.
18. From one big name star to another – Paddy Considine will also take to the stage over the weekend, with his band Riding The Low due to bring their brand of indie rock to Parklands.
19. Watch the rise of Lottery Winners! After 2022’s raucous set, you lot flooded our comment sections to say you wanted them back – little did you know, we were already having the conversation! They’ll be taking a long overdue spot on our Main Stage this year.
20. Celebrate the music of the brilliant Fleetwood Mac with DJ extraordinaires Fleetmac Wood!
21. Laugh out loud in The Soapbox! Featuring some of the finest comedians from across the UK scene, we’re yet to reveal the line-up for our comedy hotspot, but we can promise some side-splitting moments from start to finish.
22. Pray for T-Shirt Weather as Circa Waves return to Kendal Calling with their festival ready anthems!
23. Rise and shine with the Happy Mondays! Nothing will shake off that hangover better than having a little dance with Shaun Ryder, Bez, Rowetta and the gang as they take an early slot on the Saturday afternoon…
24. Boogie the night away in our art deco discotheque as Desert Island Disco returns for round two of the grooviest beats you’ll find across site!
25. Spice up your life! Need we say more? Melanie C will be providing the perfect set of bangers for a Saturday afternoon!
26. From one pop superstar to another – Example returns to Kendal Calling this year! Nearly ten years on from his incredible headline set, the legendary party-starter is back – warming us up nicely for Kasabian.
27. Top of the shop… 90! Take part in the most outrageous bingo session as Dabber’s Social Bingo takes over The Soapbox!
28. Head to Hollywood! Kick back, relax and unwind in The Picturehouse with a film or two – cult classics, big budget blockbusters and sing-along sensations are on the cards for ’23!
29. “Four naans? Four? That’s insane Jeremy!” – fans of the classic Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show rejoice! Now is your chance to prove your knowledge as Big Mad Andy hosts a quiz to remember in The Soapbox.
30. Score the perfect Instagram post! Our picturesque site is filled with those little moments, perfect for remembering a brilliant weekend in the fields.
31. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee in Tim Burgess’ Twin Peaks inspired lodge – Tim Peaks Diner is of course back for another round of the freshest new music, and even fresher brews!
32. Lose your voice singing the hits at our Woodlands Silent Disco!
33. Chow down on some of the finest grub around with incredible street food traders from across the country descending on the Lakes to delight your senses!
34. Wash all that down with some of the finest ales around – with a solid selection across all our bars including bespoke beverages brewed only for the weekend such as Kend’ale and our take on a German classic in Oktoberfest.
35. Feast your eyes on the spectacle of some of the most magical performers as our traditional parade cascades through the festival grounds – we’ll have plenty more to come on this once our theme is revealed!
36. Speaking of which… Leave your inhibitions at the wristband exchange and get into the festival spirit with our fancy dress theme! Keep your eyes glued to our socials in the coming weeks for more news on this…
37. Catch a rising star in Calling Out! IDLES, Slowthai, The 1975, Mumford and Sons and many more have made their way through this tent over the years before going on to headline festivals across the country – this is your chance to see some incredible acts before they hit the big time!
38. Sneak in a secret set at Tim Peaks Diner! Each year Tim Burgess manages to entice a few bands from across the bill to play to under a hundred people in his diner of dreams – past sets have included Blossoms, The Coral, The Libertines, Nile Rodgers, Edwyn Collins and more – who will join him this year?
39, Bring out your inner Dancing Queen at The ABBA Disco! A firm favourite from last year – our resident party palace plays host to set dedicated to the Swedish legends for the second year in a row.
40. If ABBA’s not quite your bag and you’d rather be banging your head to some of the biggest indie bangers, don’t you worry! We’ve got you covered! Baggy Mondays and Sh*t Indie Disco will be taking the reigns in Calling Out from 11pm spinning the indie classics until the early hours.
41. Bounce around as the heavily requested Reverend and The Makers give us a taste of their almost ska-infused take on the classic indie rock sound. Known for their wild live atmospheres, Rev & co are sure to whip the fields into a frenzy!
42. Elsewhere on the bill, The Enemy are set to join in the fun as part of their incredible live comeback, treating us to hits from across their storied career – we’re so excited to hear a crowd chanting ‘We’ll live and die in these towns!’ again.
43. Worth grabbing a Guinness as Irish ballad group The Mary Wallopers roll into the Lakes for what is sure to be one of the most unique sets of the weekend.
44. Get deep into the music as Tim Burgess’ Listening Parties leaps from Twitter into the real world, celebrating some of the legendary albums from acts playing across the weekend.
45. Baby’s first rave! There are no better party starters than Big Fish Little Fish to provide your little ones with their first ever rave experience as BFLF host a selection of special parties across the weekend in Soapbox.
46. For those of you who are a little older but still want to re-live your youth – we have the perfect pair for you! Dick & Dom will be heading back to Parklands to lead the biggest game of bogies you’ve ever seen while spinning a selection of their favourite bangers.
47. You may have heard him on BBC 6Music but for one weekend a year he takes to an entirely different (albeit fictional) radio station – tune into Chris Hawkins as he hosts an in-person radio show live from Tim Peaks!
48. Another radio superstar heading to Lowther this Summer is legend of the airwaves, Annie Mac! A special headline slot on Parklands is on the cards for one of the finest selectors to ever grace the decks.
49. Embrace your inner punk with The Murder Capital, Panic Shack, Deadletter, Jools and many more ready to blow your ears off throughout the weekend.
50. Explore! While there is plenty going on across the weekend – we’re only scratching the surface here – we encourage you all to wander round and discover those special moments that make Kendal Calling what it is. Sometimes, the most incredible and wonderous moments are happening in some of the quieter corners of the festival!
