Kendal Calling 2025 A 20th Anniversary Celebration of Sound, Spirit, and The Prodigy in the Cumbrian Sun
- Tom Adam
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
Kendal Calling - Cumbria – 31st July - 3rd August 2025
IMAGES / WORDS TOM ADAM
Kendal Calling 2025 celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, set in a stunning location in the heart of Cumbria.
The festival kicked off on 31st July with a bang. On the main stage, Sophie Ellis-Bextor delivered a standout Thursday performance. Though not the headline act, she wowed the crowd with her new dance hits, iconic covers, and of course, Murder on the Dancefloor, which turned the fields near Penrith into a giant open-air disco. Her style and voice proved she’s still a pop icon who knows how to mesmerize a festival crowd.
Following her, the Kaiser Chiefs took the stage to celebrate 20 years of their legendary debut Employment. Returning to Kendal Calling after a decade, they brought energy, nostalgia, and massive singalongs — with Ruby and I Predict a Riot sounding like anthems of a generation. Ricky Wilson, charismatic as ever, gave a stellar closing to day one.
Day two began with sunshine after some overnight rain, as music fans emerged from tents to dive into the weekend vibe. A huge range of artists showcased diverse styles, so everyone found something to suit their taste. On the main stage, Fickle Friends, The Academic, and Corinne Bailey Rae created a warm, glowing atmosphere.
Crowds surged for The K’s, celebrating their first number one album. This band from Earlstown keeps improving with each set, gaining fans and proving they’ve got future headliner potential.
Next up, Merseyside’s own The Wombats delivered an indie-pop feast. The audience sang along to old classics like Kill the Director and Let’s Dance to Joy Division, as well as new tracks like Can’t Say No. By the evening, the crowd was primed for the headline act: Courteeners, fronted by Liam Fray, lit up the stage with tracks like Not Nineteen Forever and Are You In Love With A Notion?. It was a night of powerful emotions and euphoric memories.
Saturday, was drenched in sunshine and packed with musical legends.
From midday, artists like Finn Forster and Nina Nesbitt brought Americana, country and folk vibes to happy festivalgoers.
In the afternoon, The Pigeon Detectives rocked the crowd with an energetic performance that made up for missing last year’s edition. This West Yorkshire indie rock band was in top form — their joy in playing together was undeniable. Frontman Matt Bowman was an explosion of energy: jumping, running, flinging his mic, while fans went wild during Take Her Back and I’m Not Sorry. It was a nostalgic adrenaline rush.
Welsh breakout band Royston Club delivered an excellent set — full of raw emotion and catchy indie rock hooks.
Then came Reverend & The Makers and Lottery Winners. Jon McClure and crew gave us a blend of electro-indie and social commentary. Heavyweight Champion of the World hit like a manifesto, and Silence Is Talking turned into a communal singalong. As always, McClure’s witty rapport with the crowd added charm and depth.
Lottery Winners played from the heart — their show felt like a collective group hug. Letter to Myself and Worry brought both tears and smiles, while Jon McClure’s surprise guest appearance on You Again was a treat. Singer Tom Rylance spoke sincerely about mental health, creating a moment of connection and emotion.
After a quick break for drinks and loos, Scottish indie-rock legends Travis hit the stage. Not personally my thing — but thousands of music fans felt differently and sang every hit with joy.
And then… Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim transformed the festival field into a massive outdoor club. His set combined classics (Praise You, Right Here, Right Now) with modern remixes, sparking full-on dance fever. Lights, visuals, and energy made Saturday night a peak moment.
The final day began with classic English weather — rain arrived to announce its presence and test the crowd’s spirits. Luckily, by midday the sun returned, kicking off the last day with fresh energy.
Fans expecting to see Jason Manford were surprised with a last-minute fill-in by John Bishop, who stepped in for the ill comedian and brought good humour to weary festivalgoers chilling on blankets and chairs.
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls — true Kendal Calling veterans — followed. Having performed at most editions, Turner confessed it’s one of his all-time favourite festivals. His set was full of heart, rebellion, and gratitude. Songs like The Ballad of Me and My Friends and Photosynthesis sparked mass singalongs, and he closed the concert by crowd surfing, earning roaring cheers.
Time for something heavier: Skindred exploded onto the stage with their reggae-metal hybrid. Benji Webbe, wrapped in a faux-fur coat with a pink collar, lit up the field like a rock ‘n’ roll preacher. Fans bounced to the band’s biggest hits and even partied to covers of Van Halen and House of Pain. Personally, I think they should have performed right before Prodigy — but hey, I don’t make the line-up.
The Last Dinner Party, despite being relatively new, have stacked up awards: BRITs Rising Star 2024, BBC Sound of 2024, BRIT Awards Best New Artist 2025. Their baroque pop offered a moment of calm for fans who had just thrashed around to Skindred. The band wore Victorian- and myth-inspired costumes, mixing alt-rock with ornate pop arrangements. Not my style — and felt a little out of place between Skindred and Prodigy — but they did leave their mark.
And finally, the main event — the festival’s crown jewel: The Prodigy, ‘90s legends, lit up the main stage at Lowther Deer Park. Kicking off with Voodoo People, they instantly fired up the crowd. We heard all the hits: Firestarter, Omen, Poison, Smack My Bitch Up. Their performance was relentless, electric, and pulsing with charisma. Maxim and crew delivered an unforgettable finale packed with sound, lasers, and epic visuals.
Kendal Calling 2025 proved that after 20 years, it still surprises and unites people through the power of music.
Even though I focused on the main stage, special mention goes to acts on smaller stages. Luvcat, an alt-pop artist from Liverpool, stood out as original and refreshingly bold. Nieve Ella‘s performance in the Parklands tent was a true highlight — her authenticity, talent, and energy stole festivalgoers’ hearts. She’s definitely one to watch.
These shows were just a slice of what made this year’s festival magical.
Kendal Calling 2025 was full of contrasts, emotions, and musical variety — the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with family, friends, or solo. The diversity of stages and attractions ensures there’s something for everyone.
Thanks for an unforgettable edition — and here’s to the next one.
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