Kendal Calling 2012

[the salmon]

I was going to start this post with "I dont want to moan...but" then thought that was too negative!

So I will start with a positive, was a great weekend, highlights for me were Shed Seven, Admiral Fallows and without question the best set was a blinder for James with a couple of rarer tracks for the hardcore but plenty of the more well known tracks (Born of Frustration, Come Home, Tomorrow etc) as well as the obvious ones. Seeing them again next week at Stockton and can't wait.

Loved the real ale tent (though dizzy blonde always kept running out), and will be gutted to not have chilli for tea tonight.

As for moans, the toilets just echoes what others have said. What had me confused also were the loos out in the car park, there were 2 that were positioned right next to were the cleaning trucks seemed to park, yet they were hardly ever clean/empty. Its not like they couldnt get to them.

Alcohol into the campsite - despite a post (I am guessing from someone involved in organising the festival) saying you could have as many trips as you like for beer from your car, we were denied entry on the saturday with beer so had to resort to a number of trips just to smuggle in the odd can here and there. Really frustrating to be told it wouldn't be the case this year.

Last gripe was the entry process. I don't object to the idea of searching bags and ensuring no drugs or glass get in to the site, but arriving at 9:45 on Friday morning and not making it to the campsite until well past 12pm is beyond a joke. It looked worse later on in the day, surely there is a more efficient way to get people into the campsite? I expect a bit of a queue but that was a bit too much.

the rant is more in the hope it doesnt happen again in the future, I still had a very good weekend, and got away without any trouble this morning (though got home to find my boiler is broke which is delaying my post festival cleansing in the bath).

[MickeyMo]

Left early this morning after finding big pools of water in the tent about 6am! Either I had forgotten to zip the door properly or someone had tried to get in and realised there was nothing worth taking. It's a big family tent with a large living area - we were in one of the bedrooms so it hadn't affected our sleep.

I was initially disappointed on Friday (apologies to Ramragon for the moany texts!) as it was noticeably busier than the last two years yet there didn't seem to be any more camping space. We got in the Family Area after queuing for nearly three hours just to get in. I thought 9:30am was a reasonable time to get there but it appears not! I don't know if they were searching everyone initially and then decided to speed it up. There was confusion over the 'one alcohol trip' rule too. The steward in the car park said they had been told it was being enforced but we noticed people on second or third trips later in the day bringing in alcohol openly. The toilets seemed to be fewer and got pretty disgusting a lot sooner than previously. Thank god for Pootopia!

After wondering if I'd done the right thing on Friday I threw myself into it more after that and it was good to meet some of you. Thanks to Steve for the suncream he gave me on Saturday and I was stood next to Joy Division Oven Gloves (Mark?) in Tim's Diner for Edwyn Collins and Roddy Frame - we had a reminisce about music, which was fun.

Highlights

James

Lancashire Hotpots

Sound of Guns

Louis Barabbas

Stan's Magic Foot

As MickL said, seeing Edwyn, Roddy and Tim together was magical

Lowlights

The toilets obviously

The queuing on Friday to get in

The tents being practically on top of each other

The absence of the metal track along the main path through camping - it would have been useful this year.

I enjoyed Wind-Up Birds despite not knowing about them before. I missed plenty of acts I'd ideally have liked to see because of clashes with other acts but I suppose that's a testament to the quality of the bands they'd booked. Was it just me or was the crowd demographic noticeably younger this year? We really felt like old fogies at times!

Undecided about next year at the moment - if it's expanding much more I think the intimate feel will disappear.

Edited July 30, 2012 by MickeyMo

[amfy]

I posted that there was no problem getting alcohol in because that was my experience. I actually had no trouble getting alcohol into the arena either but I'm definitely not involved in the festival!

However, I did enough toilet sorting that I did start to feel like I was crew! I always like to be a toilet fairy and I worked some serious magic on some of those this weekend that others mightve believed were beyond help. I really shouldnt have to work that hard tho!

The toilets were pretty much the only gripe on a top weekend for me!

[sam12betsy]

Just got in... Tried to catch up in the bar on Thurs but somehow found myself horribly drunk... Highlights for me were King Charles, Vintage Trouble and Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip. Lowlights were obviously the lack of roilets and the number of screamingly pilled up under 18s. Forgot to take photos and couldn't get any 3g or internet so am now hoping someone will post pics of us as Cheeses of Nazareth:))) same time next year????!!!

[sam12betsy]

Toilets! Lack of toilets!

[Flaminglippy]

Best weekend ever! Met some really lovely people...that includes you lot, but also the randoms. Did seem like a much younger crowd...but having said that as I said to my missus on the Sunday, I haven't seen a single knobhead.

Music highlights have to be...Wind-Up Birds, James, Inspirals, W.A.S, Dizzee (particularly enjoyable as there was a mother next me to trying to cover up 3 sets of young ears with only one pair of hands), Ghostpoet.

Loved the Woodland Stage and Tim Peaks...thought they were great additions.

The toilet situation was worse than last year but not horrendous...no issues at all in Emperors. I'm sure I read some somewhere it was due to the amount being taken up by the Olympics so theres not so many to go around?

Best conversation I had all weekend was with a random at the urinal...

Me : How nice is this, being able to have a slash in the open looking at that view?

Random : Sorry. I don't understand. I'm German

Me : German? How did you end up here?

Random : Was in Scotland. Started drinking whiskey...woke up here.

Now thats hardcore...

PS...Mick, stop this 'we might not be coming next year' nonsense!

Edited July 30, 2012 by Flaminglippy

[FestivalFriend]

loved it. but my complaints were:

the map was wrong, main stage pointing the wrong way, cube in completely the wrong place, scale not consistent.

pootopia is a bloody rip off! i was let to beleive it was porcelin toilets and thats the only reason I went, it's just a longdrop with a cup of sawdust I really can't see how they justified the £3 price.

half an hour gaps between acts on the main stage. surely they can do it a bit quicker?

lack of information announcements. why were the lightnig seeds not on? why was entry into the arena on friday delayed by an hour? whats this crack about not being able to get drink in after thursday? where was that mentioned?

and the good bits were:

dizzee rascal, maximo park, dan le sac & scroobius pip, jack beats, DJ Yoda, feeder, raphael attar, the house party tent, kebabylon, koppaberg everywhere, red roackstars, hole in the fence for getting drink in and the weather

[Flaminglippy]

You know what would be a good idea?? If the toilets had like a little flag or something that popped out the top when they were in use so you could see which ones wasn't. Half the time theres people queueing and theres empty bogs not being used...I know you have the little 'engaged' signs but you can't really see them at night unless you get right up close then lose your place in the queue.

[ramragon]

I might as well add a few more highlights an lowlights,

Highlights

new woodland area was perfect, nice little stage, nice secluded area, off the beaten track and rarely jam packed

tim peaks diner, good concept, unusual with some great drop in bands doing random sets

pootopia despite my initial thoughts on thursday and the lack of sawdust bin on thursday actually worked quite well.

band performances, pretty happy with who I saw, james,shed seven, tribes,dreadzone all excellent. Plus too many to mention

Lowlights

previous mentioned toilets

shower situation seemed stange at times, no hot water on friday till 11, several not working by dinneer time day 1

Open air urinals, if were gonna have them, maybes a bit of tarp around thems the way to go. I thought the bairns head was like something off the exorcist spinning around to avoid the array of nobs being shook ! An putting a hair braiding stall facing the grey fountains was maybes not the best planning ! Think she had a 20minute anatomy lesson whilst having her hair braided.

Felt a little uncomfortable in certain areas after dark as well. Maybes thats just my fault though and possibly not having a 12 year old out after midnight would easily have solved it. The young uns seem to run riot after the stages close !

All in all had a great time and would change very little, my daughter also loved it and is ready to go back already. Thanks to everyone we met and everyone who made it so easy for my daughter to be made to feel welcome.

And to jonjo, you missed todays fry up, ive had to bring stuff home !

[amfy]

I saw you Chesuses! We were only camped a few yards behind you, but unfortunately we didn't have a camera and I only got a couple of pics on my phone over the weekend so I don't have one of you. I thought it was inspired and it lifted my mood on Saturday when the weather seemed a little against us!

I should say my highlights were somehow ending up down near the front for Dizzy, with a load of small people who made me feel gigantic! When he ordered everyone to bounce, I was terrified I would trample them! Having said that, had a great time with them, and would argue with anyone who says this demographic (young hip hop RnB types) bring festivals down. It was quite a show, and yet again, I saw him against my better judgement, and still enjoyed it! We also then seriously enjoyed Dreadzone, who always, always seem to create the most gorgeous bubbly atmosphere at their gigs.

Music that was new to me on recommendations from you good people here - Admiral Fallow, King Charles & Wind Up Birds - all brilliant in very different ways, and it was great to get into some stuff I hadn't heard before. I also really enjoyed Spector who I knew very little of before the festival.

James were brilliant of course, and I loved that when my hat went flying, the crowd around me carried on looking when I gave up, and retrieved it for me! Thank you!

I liked the festival a lot - I think it has a nice vibe and people feel very ready to enjoy themselves rather than waiting to be impressed. We will be back.

[MickeyMo]

..

PS...Mick, stop this 'we might not be coming next year' nonsense!

[sam12betsy]

Glad to be of cheering up service Amfy:) x

[Andeeroo]

Enjoyable weekend. The journey was just too far for me to consider it next year but glad I made the effort this year. The 8-hour journey on Thursday meant Friday was a bit of a struggle but Saturday and Sunday were great.

Music Highlights:

Maximo Park, Hotpots, Dizzee, King Charles, Vintage Trouble, Random Impulse, The View, Beans on Toast. Mono LP's on the Friday in the houseparty.

Music Lowlights:

The 30-45 minutes of James I endured. We Are Scientists - disappointed again!, Twisted Wheel, Feeder.

General Highlights

As a first timer, and Glastonbury and Reading being my only other festivals:

The size - Going from the car to camp in about 5 minutes was a great feeling

Having plenty of room in the crowd was nice. Not feeling penned in and unable to move, plenty of room to move my feet!

Atmosphere - Everyone having a good time, didn't see much rowdiness or angst at all.

Range in the crowd - Plenty of variety with the type of people. Plenty of teens and 6th formers but that was nicely balanced with the oldies and the youngsters.

General Lowlights

It didn't feel like a 'music' festival to me. More like people who had come to get totally off their face and there happened to be some stages with bands playing.

Number of food stalls - seriously lacking, especially in the campsite when the arena was closed.

Organisation was disappointing. Little communication. Fortunately I knew the Lightning seeds was cancelled before we got there. Arena opening late on Friday. Still don't know why. I found the programme to be pretty pointless, especially for the smaller stages like the Houseparty. Times were totally different then scheduled.

Oh, and I found the toilets by the main stage to be absolutely fine! Well, not totally vile anywho! Maybe I was just luckily.

Basically, a great weekend in spite of the gripes. Enjoyed it, but shan't be returning!

Edited July 30, 2012 by billandben

[Joy division Oven Gloves]

Bit tired tonight..

Good to meet some of you guys and put faces to names, thanks Ramragon for grabbing me to meet Lippy, MickyMo and MickL (pity the rovers lost !!!).

I like how we've all got a real variety of best bits.

My Highlights, for what its worth:

Edwyn Collins, Roddy Frame and Time Burgess being magnificent in the Diner (doing Consolation Prize off Orange Juice's first album, I felt 18 again ! MickyMo will vouch the fact that I'm not !)

James, first time Ive seen em for 20 years, and they did a great 'full career' set, got down the front for old times sake and it was ace

King Charles, gets better every time I see him

Minny Pops, saw them twice, covered in dry ice in the House Party, doing their dour Factory kroutrock-noise set, with mad singer, then in the diner acoustically, still mad, but less scarey

Riot Jazz Brass Band and New York Brass Band

Inspirals

New stages The Woodlands and the Diner

The weather, it held up till last night !

Lowlights :

There seemed less toilets in the arena with a bigger crowd, big mistake.

We were allowed on the campervan field, with our car at the side of out tent, but toilets were pretty poor. 5 toilets for the whole field at one point.

The camp fields all felt a bit 'last minute', but to be fair this was probably due to a late reshuffle cos of the weather.

The weather last night. Camp waterlogged this morning. I arrived home caked in mud due to pushing cars and vans up to the road (was a bit of a laugh though !)

The Soapbox just din't get me this year. Wandered in a few times and it didn't seem to have its usual 'crackle'

Overall, a brilliant weekend, we all loved it (with one or two minor chunters), and of course we'll be along next year

[Guest manc_al]

I can't believe noone reckons my Lancashire Flag waving along to the Hotpots was a highlight

As has been said, the toilets in the arena were a disgrace! Did anyone else feel utterly ripped off having to pay deposits for plastic cups and by the food stalls (£5 for a bloody pie can't be right!).

Emporer worked ok for me. Really helped having decent toilets with my daughter.

James were superb! Dizzee was better than expected and Dreadzone were also pretty good!

The festival has lost its family feel for me. The younger rowdier crowd together with the noticibly increased capacity made feel a bit more intense than relaxed.

I never thought I'd have said this.....but as a festival, Wickerman was better.

I think I'll be looking elsewhere next year.

[Flaminglippy]

Overall, a brilliant weekend, we all loved it (with one or two minor chunters), and of course we'll be along next year

[Paul ™]

Decent enough weekend, not sure I will make it a regular one I attend (last there in 2008)

Seen some decent acts, highlights include DJ Yoda, Utah Saints, Dreadzone and Beans On Toast.

I thought the layout probably needed tweaked abit.. seemed daft having a dead end at the Riot Jazz stage

Agree with most of the comments above with regards to negative points -

The security was non-existent in the campsite. Too many sitting about at the campsite entrance when not required, they should have been patrolling.

No patrols on the Thursday night at all, this is when most of the thefts occurred.. over 100 reported according to one security guard.

As mentioned, gaps in the fence where they opened up overflow field (which should have been more thought out).

No idea how many security were on shift at any time, but certainly looked thin on the ground where needed.

People were told I believe that they could take in alcohol after 1st entry, this wasn't the case and seen a lot of annoyed people at the campsite entrance.

Toilets were a disgrace, not enough and not serviced regular enough.

No decent cider, surely they could extend the Real KendAle festival bit to include some proper cider as £3.90 for a bottle of crappy Kopperberg is taking the piss.

Nice to put a few names to board names on the Thursday night

[Mr_Grump]

I'm limited to 2 festivals next year (1 as a punter, 1 as a worker) as I also want a good holiday abroad so am unsure where I'll be going (unless I decide to do benicassim where I can get sun & music at the same time!!).

I got the same feeling as billandben "....people who had come to get totally off their face and there happened to be some stages with bands playing....". Yeah, its about having a good time, but the people off their faces (including all age ranges & gender) really spoiled some sessions.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a drink or two, but it's supposed to be a music festival, not a beer festival with background music.

[halfpint]

The camp fields all felt a bit 'last minute', but to be fair this was probably due to a late reshuffle cos of the weather.

[ramragon]

Too early to start the 2013 thread yet??

[ramragon]

The festival has lost its family feel for me. The younger rowdier crowd together with the noticibly increased capacity made feel a bit more intense than relaxed.

I never thought I'd have said this.....but as a festival, Wickerman was better.

I think I'll be looking elsewhere next year.

[Flaminglippy]

Ha ha, theres enthusiasm, lets finish this one off first !

Who knows we might even get somewhere we can post some topics if theres a reshuffle ! With over 2500 posts in this thread you never know. That being said if we move in to the space recently vacated by t I can imagine the abuse !

[Billbones]

Brilliant weekend but security in quiet camp shit I spoke to one who thought he was robocop and he said he was gonna bum the "Thursday night rich picking robbers" then said about" 200 tents got robbed ,but keep It quiet so people don't panic" he then went to the next tent and said the same. Total cock , but king Charles,Hyde and beast ,the view ,ghost poet and James were class

[Billbones]

And shed 7

[stuwilky]

Hi Ramragon, aye that 'one trip' policy is a thing of the past and has been scrapped.