British Sea Power close Kendal Calling with a memorable set

Sunday is another dry day, but the ground is still wet so the straw that we have to spread around acts as a good seat. Maurice Dickenson is waking up the crowd in the Kayled tent, whilst old schoolers EMF are in the Traffic stage, and an early airing of 'Unbelievable' pleases many. I head straight off to catch DJM from Leeds in the outdoor Cloud Club, who is up against DJ Yoda, a shame as he is an obvious influence. DJ Yoda is ok, with mixes of Beastie boys and Aerosmith, but DJM throws out the mixes ten times faster. Imagine snippets of the Jungle book theme, DJ Shadow and Lulu and you're nearly there.



British Sea Power are headlining the Main stage, which is adorned with bits of trees, as is the band. The combo of mud, straw and a lit candle made into a hat will stay with me for a long time. After those (their set started a little earlier) it is time for Digital.is,/b> in the Traffic tent, a lively electronic band with a good female vocalist.

I reckon a lot to this festival, it is close to Kendal, so you could drive out (if you are not stuck in the mud like we were) or get a taxi for supplies, though you should find everything you need inside (there is a campsite shop, and a couple of petrol garages on the dual carriageway the site sites next to). To say the site is close to a busy road not much traffic can be heard, though I was camped next to a generator all weekend.

The toilets, even with the mud, are getting cleaned (there are only one lot in the arena, another set would have been better, especially up near the main stage). The campsite ones were not cleaned as much as the cleaners could not get to them, but the festival is not that large. A lack of water taps is another big problem, the campsite has them (well I saw one) but the arena does not. Apart from that it is a well organised and friendly festival, and I hope it continues successfully for many years.

The intimacy of restricting it to 4000 punters is good for the vibe too (the festival sold out beforehand), though it has an increased capacity this time, so could expand again next year.

review by: Danielle Millea

photos by: Danielle Millea

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