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. Belt out the Oasis back catalogue on Friday night with Noel Gallagher! Returning for the first time in eight years – we’ve never been so excited to lose our voice.
2. Take part in the biggest acapella singalong as Paul Heaton brings ‘Caravan of Love’ to the fields alongside the ultimate set of bangers from The Housemartins and The Beautiful South.
3. 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 cornucopia of curiosity.
4. Jump in the mosh put as The Streets take over Saturday night! Expect carnage for ‘Fit But You Know It’!
5. Bring your loved ones close for heartwarming classics from Paolo Nutini but don’t forget your dancing shoes (or wellies!) as we’ll be pulling out all the moves for hits like ‘New Shoes’ and ‘Pencil Full of Lead’
6. Take yourself back to the halcyon days of the early 00s as Sugababes rattle through the pop anthems!
7. Find out just what happens when you combine a former England international with a britpop legend as the most intriguing booking of the weekend takes place. We are of course talking about Gary Neville going back to back with our pal Tim Burgess.
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. take in the views from the comfort of your campsite! The wonderful Lake District provides the most beautiful backdrop for our once a year adventure.
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. Get all psychedelic as Temples headline Saturday night in the Woodlands! Sure to be a very special set in amongst the trees.
13. Whether it’s drum and bass, all out electronic or funk and soul – party the night away under the upside down garden as GLOW takes over Parklands until the early hours with Shy FX, Phil Hartnoll from Orbital and Craig Charles.
14. All the way from down under, catch viral sensations Royel Otis! The hottest new band on the circuit – they’ve taken over TikTok with their cover of ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ but their own material is where they will truly blow you away.
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. Cure the Saturday morning hangover with laughter as Russell Howard opens the Main Stage!
17. Try not to completely lose it as Keane play ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ – the ‘Hopes & Fears’ legends celebrate 20 years of the iconic album with us on Friday night in the fields.
18. Take it back to playing the PS1 as The 900 play a set of covers from the Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack!
19. Spend Saturday evening among the trees to watch the Untold Orchestra perform the hits of all out legend, Stevie Wonder.
20. If you miss that one though, you can always catch the Orchestra taking on ABBA on the Main Stage or paying homage to Queer Icons in Parklands.
21. Sign up to sing with Barry from Eastenders as Shaun Williamson returns to host Barrioke – the world’s most mental karaoke session.
22. From one soap hero to another, Alan Fletcher will be taking to Parklands and for those of you who may be less familiar with that name – perhaps you might know him as Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbors!
23. Witness the next chapter in the long love affair between Lottery Winners and Kendal Calling as they take their rightful spot headlining Parklands – a stage they packed out in the early afternoon just two years prior!
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. Catch a classic in the resident cinema, from blockbusters to old school classics – expect something for everyone in The Picturehouse!
26. Look up! Revel in the tents as each on transports you to an entire different world – whether it’s Calling Out’s ever changing landscape, Soapbox’s circus or Parklands floral affair!
27. Top of the shop… 90! Take part in the most outrageous bingo session as Dabber’s Social Bingo takes over The Soapbox!
28. Get your cowboy boots out for the BRIT nominated country folk songstress, CMAT! We’ll be practicing our two step in advance.
29. 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!
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. 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!
32. Party the night away under the treetops 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. 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…
36. Catch a rising star in Calling Out! IDLES, 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!
37. 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?
38. 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.
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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!
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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!
