Kendal Calling Reviews 8

Review: Kendal Calling (20th Anniversary)

Having attended Kendal Calling for several years, I found the 20th anniversary to be a major disappointment. Despite reaching such a milestone, it was clear that no real investment went into celebrating it – aside from a few bands shouting out “20 years.” This felt underwhelming and frankly, quite pathetic for an event of this size and reputation.

The lineup itself was, as always, fantastic, with brilliant performances across the stages. However, the corporate machine has now taken over. The festival is massively oversubscribed, and the main stage area is so overcrowded that it feels like being packed in like sardines. Some of the food outlets have also dropped in quality, although there are still many excellent vendors to be found.

What really struck me as sad was the old “living vehicle” field looked more like something from Squid Game, with rows of identical tents lined up like battery chicken huts. It lacked the charm and atmosphere that Kendal Calling once had. All caravans and motorhomes are a mile away down a massive hill, you are no where near now.

Overall: amazing bands, some good food, but an experience ruined by massive overcrowding, declining standards, and lack of genuine effort to mark the 20th anniversary. After years of attending, we won’t be returning.

Attended 2025 with our 2 kids 13 and 11. We stayed in Deer Lodge. Bit of a delay getting in but once in had the best time. Showers amazing , flushing toilets total bonus! Our accomodation was a luxury airdome and couldn’t fault it. Plenty time throughout the day showers were free. We also had a tent with hairdryers and straighteners.we also had a bar, food area and coffee. Having done my fair share of festival camping in general camping this was absolute luxury and worth the money.
We were a short uphill walk to the main arena which was fine for us. The festival itself was brilliant. Well laid out and great line up for us. Very family friendly and couldn’t fault it. Brilliant family memories made and will definitely return. Thanks Kendal Calling team!

I have spent most of the day in dialogue via email the the KC team.

Back in January, due to osteoarthritis in my hips, I applied for accessibility camping and parking, which I thought was approved (always read the full email, not just the heading, boys and girls ). It turns out that due to my access card not having the required information on it, it was only accessible parking that I had been granted, and not camping. NIGHTMARE.

Cue a meltdown on my part because since applying, due to my athritis I am currently recovering from hip replacement surgery and will be 9 weeks post op at the time of KC. Where will we camp? How will I get our gear from the car to the campsite if I'm on crutches? and a whole host of other things going through my head. (The accessible camping is next to the car park, so the Mrs and kids can manage the shorter distance, which is perfect)

The KC team has been brilliant today, even though the campsite is fully booked, they have given me a list of options for me to decide which works best and have tried to accommodate us as best as they can, replying to my emails almost instantly, and always with trying to give us the best festival experience in mind.

I may not have the perfect outcome, but at least I've been given options that could turn out to be just as good.

Thank you KC team

See you in the fields

Having sent a complaint by email straight after the festival ended in August 2024 I am still to get a response or acknowledgment. I have sent 2 further follow up complaints by email and also tried to reach out on “X”. Still nothing. Just be really careful if you take your children to this festival. I had my 6 year old with me. In the middle of the afternoon we headed over to the main stage where Russell Howard was performing. It was mid afternoon and suddenly over the speakers all we could hear was explicit content about sex, masturbation, dildos and other things (not appropriate for 6 year olds) alongside constant use of swear words including c#nt repeatedly. There was no warning about the set and it was mid afternoon. All I was looking for from Kendal Calling was an acknowledgment that they noted my concerns, but nothing. It’s like they don’t even think it’s an issue. It wasn’t that easy to walk away from either. I also had my 11 and 13 year old with me who had a better understanding of what he was saying which made it even worse.

We bought a live in vehicle ticket, when we arrived we were directed to area of two fields the first was full, so we were in the lower field. The map for kendal calling had live in vehicle and that's where we thought we were. It wasn't till we spoke to our neighbours that these fields weren't even on the kendal calling map and it took them 1 hour to go and collect there ticket. My husband had bad knees so we were re-assured that there was transport too and from theses fields. On friday we used the shuttle bus to take us into the venue and noted there was only one bus and this only went for a few hours and only three times aday. When we were in kendal calling there was lots to see and well organised except for men peeing any where they feel even though toilets were provided, this was disgusting and with children around. We came away early to make sure we caught the bus. So Sat we went for the shuttle bus and it had broken down. No transport. For a big venue I am very disappointed that you didn't think about putting aleast another three buses on to serve all the hundreds of people in the live in vehicle of site field. I also think with the festival being a family event you need to have security walking round and warning signs (saying they will be fined) in the venue to challenge those people urinating where they want. We left he venue early because there was no transport to take use to the festival and the distance would have been too far for my husband. We have put a complaint into kendal calling but we have had no reply.

DISGUSTING scam behaviour from this festival crew.
Bought ticket that said Thursday-Sunday on it clearly on the email confirmation and got to festival and declined entry unless I paid £40 for extra day ticket. After it specifies on the ticket Thursday - Sunday
Loads of others were in the same position.
Horrible scammy behaviour
Highly put me off returning in the future.

Deer Lodge booking, only 7 out of 20 showers worked called number on side, they said subbed out to Dr Loo? Great gin bar and food next door to each other. No signage for deer Lodge charging or pamper lounges, saw them on our way out! Main arena, not enough signage , very confusing for a lot of us us. Calling out tent and Yam tent, no signage to tell us? Basic stuff that should have been covered, let a great the festival down. Most staff were lovely though. Not sure if I'd attend again, wished had a site map on entry, all programs sold out, missed out on some good bands 😕