A few weeks ago, Discovery Music successfully secured accreditation passes for Kendal Calling 2019 and I had the pleasure of covering the festival. This was a weekend of firsts for me… first time working in the press area of a festival, first time attending Kendal Calling and the first time camping at a festival (unless you count T in the Park 2014 but I was an invincible 18 year old then so it doesn’t really count). Despite the weather being a mix of thunder and lightening, torrential rain and a little windy - people's spirits remained high and the atmosphere was incredible. I got to see a lot of amazing bands over the three days, here's some of my main highlights...
FRIDAY
HELLO COSMOS
So this was a band, I actually came across a few days before the festival but as soon as I heard them I was really intrigued to see them live. A four-piece alternative rock band with a twist. Hello Cosmos have such a unique style that you wouldn’t have seen before.
The heavy bass, the edgy guitar riff that will instantly have you moving about, a violinist and poet lyricist. Each member of the band has their own incredible talent and when brought together works really well on stage. It was really exciting to see and instantly grips the crowd.
I just love the way lead singer, Ben writes his songs. A lot of his lyrics are just statements about anything and everything but when you hear them, it just really fits.
My favourite song has to be, ‘Raise the Dawn’ which just has one of the most intriguing guitar riffs to an intro I’ve ever heard. Take that with the lyrics: ‘Cause why the fuck would a guy with a guitar have something to say? I’m just a little bit tired of being spoken to by the uninspired' and you’ve got a bloody good rock song.
I got the chance to speak to Ben after the set (check out our Kendal podcast to hear it in full) and we had a really interesting conversation where you can just tell he has a genuine passion for music. They’ve got a really good thing going and I can’t wait to hear more from them over the next few months. A band certainly worth checking out!
KYLE FALCONER
Now I’ve been a fan of The View for as long as I can remember but never had the chance to see Kyle Falconer as a solo act so when I found out he was on the line up for Kendal – it was a definite! He just has this stage presence where the whole crowd is drawn to him.
Of course, most of the crowd hailed from Scotland which created an exciting atmosphere.
A lot of genuine fans there knowing every lyric to not only The View classics he performed but also songs from his debut solo album, ‘No Thank You’.
Opening with ‘Grace’ made the entire crowd erupt and it was clear what type of show this would be! It’s the type of set I crave at a festival - everyone on a high belting out every single song.
Kyle, himself is a really interesting character. I had the pleasure of interviewing him before the set and I just loved the energy I got from him. You can tell he works hard as with every set he seems to give his all – it’s great to see after being a fan of his work for years. He even treated the crowd to an acoustic version of my favourite View song, ‘How Long’ which just gave it that extra special touch. It was always going to be a little different seeing him without The View but his solo performance was definitely one of my highlights over the weekend!
CHIC AND NILE RODGERS
Never did I ever think that I would get the chance to see the legendary Nile Rodgers and Chic perform live and if I’m honest I’m still not over seeing them.
Not to exaggerate but I honestly would put it up there with one of the best moments of my life. It started about thirty minutes prior to the show, with the 70s disco playlist blaring throughout the crowd getting everyone hyped for the performance.
I’m still a little speechless about the performance as a whole – it was everything i ever imagined and more. Right from the moment Mr Nile Rodgers and Chic stepped on stage, the entire crowd just turned into one big dance show.
Every song they played, everyone around us was disco dancing and it was one of the best atmosphere’s I’ve ever witnessed in a crowd.
I think I felt every sort of emotion during that set especially when Nile Rodgers took a moment to tell the crowd about his previous battle with cancer which led to a slower version of ‘Get Lucky’. Dancing with strangers like you’d been pals for years, belting out classics such as ‘Le Freak’, ‘Everybody Dance’ and of course ending with ‘Good Times’ – what more could you want?
SATURDAY
RED RUM CLUB
First on the line up on the Saturday was Liverpool indie rock band, Red Rum Club. One of my favourite current band at the moment and seeing them live for the first time certainly exceeded expectations.
What an incredible live band! For those who haven’t listened to them before – think a western Mediterranean style mixed with alternative rock. A style you probably won’t have heard before! They're six-piece band including a phenomenal trumpet player which adds that extra bit of uniqueness. It’s a certain style that not many bands can master but Red Rum Club definitely do. Their songs are catchy to listen to but seeing them live is a whole different story. Lead singer, Fran has an extraordinary voice that fits perfectly with the Red Rum Club’s sound and the way he controls the crowd is a natural talent.
Their set included a few of their latest singles, ‘Honey’, ‘Calexico’, ‘Angeline’ and of course the incredible, ‘Would You Rather Be Lonely?’. It’s an instant anthem and I can’t wait till it gets the true recognition it deserves! The guys are heading to Glasgow in a few months and I can’t recommend seeing them enough.
CASSIA
Trio indie pop band, Cassia are the ultimate festival band with their feel-good musical vibes. Their laid-back summer sound could be influenced from bands such as Vampire Weekend and Viola Beach.
They write the type of songs that can just instantly put you in a good mood and seeing how good they were live totally makes them the full package! It’s incredible how just three people in a band can create such exhilarating music.
I honestly couldn’t stop smiling when I was watching them as they just have this energy on stage that just grips you. Their set included songs such as ‘Replica’, ‘Small Spaces’ and my favourite, ‘Loosen Up’… all songs that I have had on repeat since!
That’s one of the reasons I love going to festivals, you get to discover some of the most amazing bands!
Cassia recently announced a Glasgow gig within their October tour in which I’m already counting down the days till I get to see them again!
SUNDAY
CHRIS GREIG AND THE MERCHANTS
Bathgate’s finest, Chris Greig and The Merchants opened up the Woodlands stage on the Sunday morning and what a great start to the last day it was. This was my first time seeing the band perform live so I was looking forward to seeing what all the hype was about.
Although they do have a different style to Cassia, their songs also have the ability to put you in a better mood!
Front man, Chris Greig has that likeable charm on stage in which he can connect with the crowd instantly.
The band do have a natural talent in which every member brings something unique to the stage. You can tell the band have a great relationship with each other which I think is really important as it shows when performing.
I was also really impressed with guitarist, Chris’s backing vocals… his voice collides naturally with front man, Chris’ creating this incredibly strong range of vocals on stage.
Their music itself is upbeat and catchy in which you’re guaranteed to leave the set still singing along to their songs!
A great opening set and I’m looking forward to seeing what else they have on store for us!
BILLY MITCHELL
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Dundee’s own Billy Mitchell so he was next on the list for people I just had to see! From the start to the finish, Billy had this charismatic appeal on stage creating this incredible atmosphere throughout the whole set. The crowd adored him. Every song he sang, there were people dancing and singing along – such a lovely atmosphere to witness and just shows the support he has from outside of Scotland! The highlight of the set for me was when he played, ‘Mother’. It’s one of those songs that makes you instantly want to get up and dance to. A well-rehearsed quality set that shows the level of professionalism Billy and the band have!
COURTEENERS
Courteeners are my absolute favourite band in the whole wide world so can you imagine the hype of ending such a great weekend with them closing the festival?! This was my 6th time seeing them live and they just seem to get better and better. From opening with ‘Notion’ to ending with ‘What Took You So Long?’ – the set list was just full of Courteeners classics. ‘The Opener’ had to be my favourite that night though – there’s just something about that song that makes me feel things. It’s just incredible. Liam Fray is just the man of all talents when it comes to song writing. Some of his lyrics are just so beautiful and can really help people get through tough times. Every time I do get to see them live, I just get so lost in their music. They have this ability to make me escape from reality when I’m listening to them so seeing them live is always really special. Their headlining set at Kendal was no different! There’s just no better feeling in the world than belting out your favourite songs with a crowd of people who share the same love for the band! A true experience that only true music lovers will understand. The best ending to the best weekend!
To conclude,my weekend at Kendal Calling simply couldn't have been better. The place just has this extraordinary atmosphere and I feel privileged to have been apart of it this year. Tickets are on sale for next year already and after this year's success I can imagine them going quickly so get yours now from the link below....
https://kendalcalling.ticketline.co.uk/
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