Kendal Calling 2009
Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August 2009Lowther Estate, Kendal, East Cumbria, England MAP
£70 - SOLD OUT
Last updated: Mon 27th Jul 2009
Heavy and persistent overnight rain left many fearing the worst, but by the time Black Diamond Bay arrived on the main stage, the sun had come out and the mud was starting to dry out a little. Branding themselves as electro-folk, one could be forgiven for hating them immediately, but allow them this indiscretion and give them a chance - they're not bad. 'Peace' and 'Baby Doll Loose' are both reminiscent of Lamb's better work, and they manage to draw a respectable early morning crowd with their mellow, chill-out inducing sounds.
Televised Crimewave couldn't contrast more with Black Diamond Bay if they tried, and their We Are Calling Stage set was an incendiary half hour of pure rock n roll bliss which saw frontman Daniel Wilson split his time equally between stage and crowd, much to the delight of the fans. The Libertines-esque 'Listen and Repeat' was the highlight of the too short set, and fans of Doherty and company would do well to check this lot out.
Manchester four-piece The Answering Machine can always be relied upon to put on a great show, and today was no different. 'Oklahoma' and the nihilistic brilliance of 'Cliffer' are some of the best guitar pop songs your correspondent has heard this year, and in Martin Colclough they have a frontman with the potential to become one of the greats. It's no surprise that the tent filled rapidly for their mid-afternoon set, and this lot are definitely ones to watch.
DSC have recently been out on support duties for Twisted Wheel, the next band on the Main Stage, and one can only assume that the headliners on that tour were upstaged somewhat. A frankly awful band with absolutely nothing to recommend them, Twisted Wheel are like The Enemy without the songs, and when the only songs The Enemy have are Paul Weller's, that's not saying much.
Turner's earnest lyrical style and Billy Bragg-esque protest songs have slowly but surely gained him a small army of followers, and tonight they were treated to a crowd-pleasing set which included 'Love, Ire and Song' and the always rousing 'Ballad of Me and My Friends'. It was the perfect way to end the night, and this reviewer's undoubted highlight of the festival.
review by: Tommy Jackson
photos by: Tommy Jackson
Latest Updates
Kendal Calling Completes 2024 Line-Up
Over 100 acts taking to the stage
Over 100 acts taking to the stage
last updated: Fri 15th Mar 2024
Kendal Calling 2024
festival details
festival details
last updated: Fri 15th Mar 2024
Kendal Calling Festival 2023 - The Review
A 17th consecutive sell-out transforms the fields of Lowther Deer Park for another momentous weekend
A 17th consecutive sell-out transforms the fields of Lowther Deer Park for another momentous weekend
last updated: Wed 9th Aug 2023
Kendal Calling 2024 Tickets On Sale
Tickets on sale Thursday 3 August at 10AM
Tickets on sale Thursday 3 August at 10AM
last updated: Wed 2nd Aug 2023
Kendal Calling Launches Environmental Awareness Game
Festival goers encouraged to do their bit to help
Festival goers encouraged to do their bit to help
last updated: Sat 15th Jul 2023