Kendal Calling's doors opened at noon today for festival-goers to set up camp for this weekend’s sold-out festival, which promises to be bigger and more dazzling than ever.

Chase & Status, The Cribs and Blondie and will be headlining Cumbria's award winning event while there’s an extended list of quirky areas to explore.

Revellers heading to the Lowther Deer Park can enjoy a catalogue of jaw-dropping bands, from the electro beats unleashed by Chase & Status, tunes drummed out by folk-punk wizards Levellers, and a beatboxing masterpiece by Beardyman.

Organisers have planned a new treat this year with the introduction of the Monstrous Garden.

Teaming up with Arcadia – the masterminds behind Glastonbury's fantasy field – Kendal Calling promoters have created an undergrowth area where things are not always what they at first seem.

Ben Robinson, festival co-founder and director said: “We are ecstatic to be back on site and under way with the site build.

“We can’t wait to have everyone along for another weekend of great music and fun times.”

After the success of the first fancy dress day for its fifth birthday party last year organisers have come up with a theme of beasts and machines to keep the event going in 2011.

Cult indie heroes The Cribs say they are riding a ‘wave of excitement’ as they prepare for this weekend’s Kendal Calling festival. Bassist Gary Jarman said the band couldn’t wait to headline on Saturday night’s main stage – and the festival sounded like their ‘ideal sort of gig’.

“As soon as we got the call we were up for it. Through word of mouth we’ve heard great things about the crowds and the atmosphere at the festival and we like the fact it’s been set up independently.

"Some of our most loyal fans have been made in areas like Cumbria and we can’t wait to get back up north,” he said.

Jarman said Kendal crowds could also expect to get the first ever preview of their new material since ex-The Smiths guitarist Johhny Marr left the group.

“We’re recording in Switzerland this week so by Kendal Calling we could well have some new tracks to play.

"Our new material has got some of the most layered and sophisticated stuff on it but also it’s really primal and lo-fi so it’s going to be the best of both worlds,” the Wakefield-born star added.

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