After an exhausting 6 hour drive, Kendal Calling gave me a welcome that instantly perked me up!

The friendliness of those attending and those working there was almost tangible, although I have to admit a little sadness that I was there working alone. Why? because my children would've absolutely loved it. I even sent a postcard home to my children (yes there was a little postbox) from the Hazel Bee stall to make them laugh!   There really was so much to do, and what I particularly liked was the activities and acts aimed at children were not patronising.  In fact I think some adults enjoyed them more than the children!  One band that brought out the kid in you were Thingumabob & The Thingumajigs.  It would take a cold-hearted person to not smile at a whole tent of people, young and old, doing the moves to their song ‘Sound of The Monkeys’.

Nobody takes themselves too seriously, especially the guy in the Borat costume who did a great job of entertaining the crowd waiting for Scroobius Pip…something that did not go un-noted by the spoken word artist. It was the first time I'd seen Scroobius play solo, it was slightly heavier and fantastic for getting people going, he really does have an excellent rapport with people.  If I hadn't have had my camera with me I'd have been right in there at the front for a mosh.

I’ll admit my bias here...I am a fan of Maxïmo Park, especially live, and as expected they put on a fantastic act.  Paul Smith over the years has grown in confidence (the wiggles are getting a bit cheekier), a little more chat, pant splitting jumps as always, but most importantly those lyrics mean something when he sings them. The perfect mixture of the old favourites and some from the new album including the next single ‘The Undercurrents’, which was personally great to hear live on stage for the first time. It really felt as if Maxïmo Park  were very much at home in Kendal, Tom English the drummer was missing as he had become a dad the day before, although the parents of Keyboardist Lukas Wooller were in the crowd celebrating their anniversary! There were a few sound issues but they didn't deter from the enjoyment rest assured.

It dawned on me very quickly that I was camped in the party area. This was due to being treated to many an acoustic session by my neighbours, compounding a great atmosphere in the whole campsite. It could have done however with more food vendors, the queues in the morning for teas and breakfasts were the longest I've encountered in many festivals. More places for phone charging would also have been quite handy, but those are my only downers in fairness.

After a damp start to Saturday, Little Roy brought us the sunshine accompanied by a mixture of his own work and some wonderful reggae Nirvana covers - just the thing to get the many superheroes in the crowd dancing!  His version of ‘Polly’ has to be heard...

The various DJ areas were magnetic…I often found myself wandering between the, irresistibly drawn to the sound of Hi Ho SIlver lining (in the case of Sailor Jerry) or some Josh Wink.

Tucked away in the corner near the woodland you found The Tim Peaks Diner...something rather special indeed. Here we had proper Yorkshire Tea in proper china cups and some of Tim Burgess' very own cereal Totes Amazeballs.  All profits went to the inspiring David Lynch Foundation.

I was very lucky to catch (albeit through the window, it was packed)  Tim, Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera and Edwyn Collins perform together in the diner.  The entire diner (and those outside) were mesmerised, and judging by the beaming faces on exit left very happy indeed.

Following the path past the kissing gate, a Gruffalo, and a Spiderman or two, I found myself at the woodland stage in an enchanting clearing in the woods.  This was a really special addition to the festival, giving me the pleasure of going back later Saturday night to see Dexter Dextrous and the Fingersmiths for the second time that day.  A very energetic ska and funk band from Leeds with very contagious enthusiasm.

Dizzee Rascal headlined Saturday night, fresh from the Olympic Ceremony, pumping out an explosive set making the entire field go bonkers...this I’m sure was the intention.

I ended my stay checking out Dreadzone in Chai Wallahs which was just the perfect end.  I came away (despite the long trek from Essex) hoping to return as soon as possible with my family in tow!  

Review & Photographs by Tracy Morter
www.tracymorter.com