Music festival Kendal Calling has revealed its headliners for 2025 as it celebrates its 20th birthday.
Courteeners, Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy and Kaiser Chiefs top the bill at the four-day festival at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith from July 31 to August 3.
Tickets for Kendal Calling went on sale in August and over 70% have been sold.
Courteeners made waves with their unforgettable 2019 Kendal Calling debut, captivating the crowd as frontman Liam Fray led the band through a set packed with their biggest anthems.
Now, with the release of their latest album, Pink Cactus Café, Courteeners are set to return next summer to celebrate Kendal’s 20th anniversary. Known for hits like Not Nineteen Forever and Are You In Love With A Notion, frontman Liam said: “Our set in 2019 was electric and was, so I’m told, one of the biggest singalongs Kendal Calling has ever witnessed.
“So it goes without saying that we can’t wait to get back on the main stage, playing to 40,000 of you lovely lot. And as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve got 20 years of Kendal to celebrate, too. It’s going to be massive.”
Fatboy Slim is a pioneer of dance music on a global scale. His infectious beats and unique style have heavily influenced electronic music since the 1990s, and continue to do so to this day. With tracks like Praise You, Right Here, Right Now, and The Rockafeller Skank, Fatboy Slim has honed a sound which is uniquely him.
Today, Fatboy Slim remains a force to be reckoned with, renowned for his legendary DJ sets which have attracted crowds in their hundreds of thousands the world over.
The Prodigy join the line up as headliners for 2025. They’re one of the most influential electro groups ever to emerge from the UK, known and loved for their heady techno punk sound and iconic tracks such as Firestarter and Breathe.
Their breakthrough album, The Fat of the Land, became a global phenomenon, cementing The Prodigy’s status as trailblazers in the electronic music scene.
The band continues to tour to this day, driven by Howlett and long-time member Maxim, reigniting their longstanding and loyal fanbase and introducing their sound to fresh ears and audiences.
Also topping the bill are Kaiser Chiefs, the Leeds indie rockers who formed in 2000 and quickly rose to fame with their anthemic hits.
Fronted by Ricky Wilson, their biggest hits over the years have included the massive I Predict a Riot, Everyday I Love You Less and Less and Ruby.
The band has continued to grow and evolve over the years, exploring new sounds whilst maintaining their trademark lively stage presence which fans know and love. The set is a celebration of 20 years of Employment.
Elsewhere on the line-up, The Last Dinner Party make their Kendal debut following a smash year, named BRITs Rising Star 2024 and scoring a #1 debut album with Prelude to Ecstasy. They’re joined on the bill by legendary Scottish rockers Travis with anthems including Why Does It Always Rain on Me? plus very special guest and long-time part of the Kendal family, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls who’ll bring folk-punk charm to the stage, complete with his storytelling lyricism.
Frank said: “I first played Kendal Calling all the way back in 2009, and they’ve had me back five times, and now again for 2025, so I think they must like me. Which is a relief, because I bloody love them; the quintessential independent UK festival, great vibes, great people, great music, year after year. I’m beyond flattered to be there for the 20th instalment; long may they reign.”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor also heads to Kendal Calling to perform her catchiest numbers including Murder on the Dancefloor. Skindred will crank up the energy serving up a hefty dose of reggae-metal. Indie favourites Maximo Park, Kendal legends The Lottery Winners, and indie icons Scouting for Girls will provide the ultimate soundtrack to the festival. Singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae is set to bring a pinch of soul with timeless hits while comedian Jason Manford will deliver the laughs, making this festival a celebration of both music and entertainment for all to enjoy.
Thom Rylance, of The Lottery Winners, said: “Kendal Calling was our first proper festival, many years ago. And I think we’ve played it every year since. Except maybe one year, and I’m sure everybody said that was the worst year in history. I’ve had some of my most emotionally overwhelming moments of pride on stages in that field. Core memories I’ll never forget. The first festival that ever took a chance on our band, for that we’re forever grateful. Weird to say a festival feels like a homecoming show, I know, but it really does.”
Rising rockers The K’s, Reverend & The Makers, and The Pigeon Detectives promise life-affirming performances, and pop icon Daniel Bedingfield and Pixie Lott certain to bring their unforgettable chart topping hits to the stage.
Again, Tim Burgess teams up with the Royal Northern College of Music Orchestra for a truly unique set, and Inspiral Carpets are set to add a nostalgic vibe.
Alfie Templeman, The Big Moon, The Royston Club, and Nieve Ella, will showcase their breakout sounds alongside veteran favourites Lindisfarne, The Skints, and of course Sports Team making this year’s festival a true celebration of all kinds of musical styles and genres.
And Kendal Calling’s late-night offerings include Mr Scruff, DJ Yoda and local act Lowes.
Andy Smith, Kendal Calling co-founder said: “I can’t quite believe that we’re about to celebrate twenty years of Kendal Calling.
“From humble beginnings welcoming 900 party goers to Kendal’s Abbot Hall, to an astonishing 40,000 of you who turn out every year to revel in the sheer joy and excitement of the perfect party, a glorious gathering in the fields of Lowther Deer Park – wow.
“Reflecting on the journey so far, the moments made and the community created, it really is quite emotional and remarkably special. It’s also the perfect excuse for our biggest party to date! Let’s come together to celebrate 20 marvellous years, joined by headliners Courteeners, Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy, Kaiser Chiefs and so many more.
“These are some of my favourite acts ever and I was thinking just last night, it might be Halloween but it feels like Christmas! I’m so excited to see you all next summer in the place we love to call home – the fields.”
Kendal Calling started out as a 900-capacity gathering at Abbot Hall Park in Kendal and organisers managed to nab Pendulum and Kendal-born British Sea Power for the first-ever line-up.
In 2007 the festival moved to Grate Farm, before settling into its home of Lowther Deer Park in 2009. Over the past two decades, the festival has hosted acts from Mumford & Sons to Kasabian, Blondie to Nile Rodgers & Chic, evolving into one of the UK’s most beloved summer events.
Pre-sale tickets for Kendal Calling’s 20th adventure are on sale from 10am on Saturday November 2, with general on sale from 10am on Monday November 4.
