GALLERY & VIDEO: Another sensational year for Kendal Calling festival (From The Westmorland Gazette)

GALLERY & VIDEO: Another sensational year for Kendal Calling festival

10:55am Monday 30th July 2012 in Shows and Festivals news By Daniel Orr, Reporter

JAMES brought the curtain down on another fantastic Kendal Calling festival with a magnificent display of their powers.

One of Manchester’s finest showcased their undeniable musical ability last night (Sunday) at Lowther Deer Park, in Eden, during a set which included Born Of Frustration, Johnny Yen, Come Home and Waltzing Along.

Earlier, lead singer Tim Booth said: “It’s a real pleasure to be here. We have been walking around the site and it’s a beautiful festival. We just want to add to it.”

Their set followed performances by Feeder and Inspiral Carpets and a thoroughly entertaining gig by The Lancashire Hotpots, who drew one of the biggest crowds of the weekend.

On Saturday, Dizzee Rascal had taken festival revellers to hip-hop heaven and back with a headline set that saw thousands of people bounce in unison.

The British rap-pop superstar wowed the crowd with a laser light show, fireworks and stomping versions of Fix Up, Look Sharp, Dance Wiv Me, Holiday and a storming Bonkers, which brought the gig to a close.

Over on the Calling Out stage though, arguably the best performance of the weekend was provided by Tribes, who debuted two new songs, Dancehall Master and Get Some Healing as well as playing tracks from their phenomenal debut Baby.

The sound of summer was provided by Dodgy, who had contacted festival organisers to ask to play because they had heard rave reviews from friends in the industry.

Fellow '90s indie hitmakers Shed Seven went down well, with a main stage set that featured Speakeasy and Chasing Rainbows.

And for people who sought to extend Saturday night into Sunday morning, there was the Glow Dance Tent where Toddla T's drum and bass was followed by a two-step set from Redlight and MC Dread.

The friendly and fun atmosphere at the festival was demonstrated by a fancy dress themed day, with many getting into the spirit of things by dressing up as everything from Batman to Dennis the Menace.

On Friday, headliners Maximo Park performed anthemic tracks like Velocity and Hips and Lips as the sun went down over Lowther Deer Park, in Eden.

Further highlights included a performance from drum and bass supremo Shy FX, while a surprise hit was the New York Brass Band, whose unique takes on classic tunes such as The Jackson 5’s I Want You Back thrilled the Riot Jazz tent.

A hugely popular addition to the festival this year was Tim Peaks Diner, the brainchild of legendary Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, where there were spine-tingling acoustic sets from Edwyn Collins, Roddy Frame, Nick Heyward and Mr Burgess himself, who later took part in a question and answer session led by Roy Wilkinson, brother of Kendal-born British Sea Power leaders Neil and Scott Wilkinson, who also read from his book on the band, Do It For Your Mum.

All in all, it was yet another triumphant year for arguably the most friendly and fun festival in the UK.