If you ever need reminding that British festivals are the best in the world, just get yourself to Kendal Calling. Set in the lush, misty fields of Lowther Park, Cumbria, this year’s bash was an unforgettable blend of indie anthems, dancefloor bangers and pure northern soul. The BrewDog beer disappeared faster than a flamingo in a mosh pit, fireworks lit up the sky, and the crowd partied like it was their last weekend on Earth. With a stacked lineup and wild crowd energy, KC25 was the perfect cocktail of nostalgia and new memories.
The 7 Things We Loved About Kendal Calling 2025
1. The Wombats – Indie Kings of the North
The Wombats delivered a Friday evening set that reminded everyone exactly why they’ve been loved for nearly two decades. The crowd went wild for "Let’s Dance To Joy Division" and "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)" – every chorus belted out like a massive group therapy session. With inflatables bouncing across the audience, it was pure chaotic joy.
2. The Courteeners – Friday Night Fireworks
The Courteeners headlined Friday night with a swagger and northern charm only they can bring, blasting through "Are You In Love With A Notion?", "Not Nineteen Forever", and "What Took You So Long?" like indie rock royalty. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, Liam Fray and the lads threw in a cover of "It Must Be Love" – and while it’s a Labi Siffre original, the crowd roared along like it was Madness all the way. Stylish karaoke in heaven – sweaty, shouty, and full of love.
3. Twisted Time Machine’s ABBA Disco – Dancing Queens Unite
Friday night in a tent in the woods, Twisted Time Machine delivered nothing short of glorious chaos as thousands packed in for an all-out ABBA singalong. From "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" to "Dancing Queen", punters belted out every word like it was the Eurovision final. Sequins, glitter, and outrageous dance moves – the spirit of the 70s was alive and thriving.
4. The Pigeon Detectives – One of the world’s best ever frontmen
Saturday afternoon saw The Pigeon Detectives storm the main stage, with frontman Matt Bowman in full rock ‘n’ roll mode – swinging his mic like a lasso and lobbing beer like it was going out of fashion. He even paused mid-set to thank “Julie from Durham” for helping him get a taxi back to his hotel the night before – what a legend. Their set peaked with their debut banger "I Found Out", which sent the crowd into a bouncing frenzy.
5. Fatboy Slim – Big Beats Under the Stars
Saturday night was a masterclass in feel-good rave nostalgia as Fatboy Slim (aka the ever-smiling Norman Cook) lit up the fields with an epic headline set. Tracks like "Praise You", "The Rockafeller Skank" and "Gangster Trippin" turned the main stage into a giant dance party. But the real goosebumps moment came when he mashed up Born Slippy with Mr Brightside – a combo so euphoric it could end wars.
6. Shit Indie Disco – Saturday Night Chaos in the Parklands Tent
If you didn’t lose your voice in the Parklands tent on Saturday night, did you even go to Kendal? Liverpool’s Shit Indie Disco brought the house down with wall-to-wall indie anthems, crowd surfing, and pure unfiltered bedlam. Think glowsticks, pint-spillers, and everyone shouting the words to Chelsea Dagger like it was their national anthem.
7. The Prodigy – Sunday Night Carnage
The Prodigy closed out the weekend with a ferocious headline set that shook the very trees surrounding Lowther Park. Blazing through "No Good (Start The Dance)", "Firestarter" and "Out Of Space", they turned Sunday night into a techno-punk apocalypse – in the very best possible way. The energy was off the scale, and even after three days of partying, the crowd showed no signs of slowing down.
Kendal Calling 2025 – Final Thoughts
Kendal Calling 2025 proved once again why it's one of the UK’s most beloved festivals – small enough to feel personal, but big enough to deliver unforgettable moments. From indie legends to rave icons, secret sets to spontaneous singalongs, it was a weekend packed with music, madness and memories. Roll on KC2026 – we’ll see you down the front.
Published on 14 August 2025 by Duncan Whittaker & Clare Viner | Photo: Nick Brooker
