Kendal Calling Celebrates Successful 20th Anniversary

Kendal Calling celebrated its 20th anniversary over four mostly sunny days, July 31-Aug. 3, on the fields of Lowther Deer Park in England’s Lake District.

40,000 guests witnessed stellar headline sets from Kaiser Chiefs, The Courteeners, Fatboy Slim, and The Prodigy, who topped off a splendid bill that offered something for every taste, including Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Corella, Lottery Winners, The Wombats, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, and many others.

Pollstar was on site this year, and our highlights include Merseyside sensation The K’s, who celebrated their first UK number one album, Pretty On The Internet, during their main stage set on Friday; the Liverpudlian MT Jones, one the of UK’s most soulful vocalists right now, who crooned away on the scenic Woodlands stage; legendary folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne, who performed inside the Parkland Stage big top with a classic five-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements; and a simply beautiful Sunday main stage slot by The Last Dinner Party, who’ve been mesmerizing festival audiences with their incredible songs all summer.

On the Calling Out stage, rising stars from Wigan, The Lilacs, and IST IST delivered electric performances alongside a knockout set from The Big Moon, and other standout performances, including The Clause, Polly Money, Overpass, Master Peace, Divorce, and Alfie Templeman – all proof that Kendal Calling is a great place to discover some of the hottest new talent out there.

Liverpool legends Red Rum Club surprised fans with a secret set at Parklands, Maxïmo Park gave a surprise performance at Tim Peaks.

As it was Kendal Calling’s 20th anniversary, the theme was celebration. The many tents across the festival site all donned the decor of different holidays, from Christmas and Halloween, to St Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

The festival is already gearing up for next year, when it will return to Lowther Deer Park from July 30 to Aug. 2, 2026. Tickets go on sale from 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7.

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