This past weekend, The Manc Audio had the honour of going along to one of the North West’s biggest and, for our money, one of the UK’s best festivals in Kendal Calling 2023 and boy did we have an ace time — so, naturally, we wanted to put together a little review.
Spoilers: it was really, REALLY good. To quote the organisers themselves, “There was something very special in the air this year”. They weren’t wrong — you could feel it.
Nestled in a little valley behind the lush treelines of Lowther Deer Park near Penrith and the Lake District, Kendal Calling music and arts festival returned for 2023 quite literally bigger and better than ever, boasting a sellout crowd of 40,000 and some of the best names the weekend has ever hosted.
Started way back in 2006 with less than a thousand people attending, Kendal Calling has not only become Cumbria’s largest festival but a Great British favourite and after going along for the first time, it didn’t take us long to figure out why.
One of the most live music scenic settings you could hope for
Us busy Manc worker bees were still bustling away on Thursday, so we unfortunately couldn’t make it along to see the handful of artists who played the opening night but, luckily, we had a few friends who all went along to confirm it was just as wonderful as it looked.
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With the likes of Scouting for Girls, Gengahr and Black Honey getting things started before the legendary Nile Rodgers & Chic polished off a class first night, the hordes of gig-goers began trickling into the site and by the time we arrived on Friday, the party was in full swing.
As we battled our way up the big hill from our parking spot to the festival entrance (bring a trolley, guys — don’t be muppets like us), we got a second wind when we heard Example playing through the forest and raced to pitch our tent, crack that first tin and start enjoying ourselves.
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But even before we made it to where the music was, we couldn’t help but take in the gorgeous Cumbrian countryside dappled with every colour imaginable — and that was just people’s bucket hats. Seriously though, seeing the sea of tents, flags flying high, music lovers sharing booze and tunes and just generally having a good time was a real antidote after a long week.
Credit: Abbie JenningsCredit: George HarrisonCredit: Tom Martin
The Northerners showing everyone how it’s done
By the time we got into the festival proper, we couldn’t have asked for better timing and a warmer welcome than the wonderful sound of Wigan‘s very own, The Lathums, serenading the packed-out main stage. Dreamland stuff.
That felt like the case throughout the festival, in fact; every hour or so it felt like we were treated to either a Manc band or a nearby North West favourite on one of the nine stages. The crowd felt like it was largely comprised of people from the North too, which gave the whole weekend an added layer of familiarity.
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Be it the Happy Mondays, The Lottery Winners, Mel C or Reverend and the Makers, up-and-coming Manc artist Phoebe Green, the Kaiser Chiefs, Circa Waves or the one and only Rick Astley, just to name a few, there were countless Northern acts to enjoy and it came as no surprise that they smashed their slots harder than anyone.
It was only fitting that probably the biggest moment of the weekend came when the Mayor of Greater Manchester himself, Andy Burnham, surprised everyone on stage by introducing Blossoms for the headline set, celebrating the North and Stockport, specifically, on Saturday night.
Come rain or shine, the British festival spirit was unshakeable
Much to our delight, the sun was shining as well; in fact, we were treated to plenty of it throughout the weekend considering the forecast we were facing on the drive up, and you know what Brits are like when the sun is and they’ve had a beer or two.
Yes, the wind and rain eventually came and made it feel like a proper UK festival — people rushing around after flying tent pegs and trying not to slip on the increasingly muddy walk from the campsite to the arena simply becoming part of the routine — but it was genuinely all part of the fun.
As our new mates from Leigh said during their dynamite set on the main stage, “We don’t mind a bit of rain do we!?”. We didn’t, not one bit, especially when the lineup was stacked with so much talent.
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Putting our regional bias aside, some of our top picks would have to be post-punk outfit DEADLETTER, who were simply insane (we still have the bruises to prove it), the mighty Frank Turner — who joined The Lottery Winners on the main stage in a truly unforgettable moment — The Hunna and, of course, Kasabian because their Friday headline set was absolutely dynamite.
Kendal Calling after dark was quite the experience…
And then came the late-night DJ sets, after parties and all-round craziness that ensued after the headliners finished their respective slots at 11pm, which we’re pretty sure we’ll never be able to fully put into words, so that should give you enough of a hint.
One thing we loved about Kendal Calling 2023 so much was how mixed the crowd was, with people of all different ages and cultural backgrounds turning up to enjoy the festivities. There were so many young families there having the time of their lives and what a way to introduce kids to the festival scene.
However, if you didn’t have little ones to put to bed and fancied staying up until the early hours in a forest lit by neon, multi-coloured lanterns and, or raving in a tent to one of the most unique electronic sets we’ve ever heard by DJ Yoda, you could — it was all there for you.
There was even an acoustic guitarist called Matthew One Man recreating club classics with an acoustic guitar and loop pedal whilst a truly indescribable musical theatre company called the Rimski’s Yard performed around him and some bloke with a big afro shoved a firework up his arse. Yes, of course, we have video evidence:
The truth is, we probably didn’t even scratch the surface when it came to experiencing everything this festival had to offer but based on what we did get to see during our time at Kendal Calling 2023 left a huge impression and we know what we’ll be doing again this time next year.
Bastille at AO Arena – A night of nostalgic throwbacks
Dec Kelly
A night like this – when Bastille took to the stage at the AO Arena – reminds you exactly why live music matters.
It felt like travelling back to our early teens – windows down, speakers up, yelling Bastille lyrics like our lives depended on it. That familiar rush came flooding back the moment we stepped into the legendary AO Arena.
And honestly, the whole experience, from securing tickets through AXS to walking into one of Manchester’s best venues, was seamless and stress-free, setting the tone perfectly for the night.
The band opened with a classic from their debut album Bad Blood. A single orange beam flickered across the stage, almost like a fire dancing in the dark, creating an intimate calm before the storm. Dan Smith’s slow, acoustic rendition of ‘Things We Lost in the Fire’ pulled the entire crowd into silence. It was raw, emotional, and the perfect way to kick off a night dedicated to the anthems that shaped a decade.
From there, the pace picked up. The show unfolded like a living scrapbook of Bastille’s 15 years of music, skipping through albums and eras with effortless precision. Every transition felt like rediscovering a memory of songs we’d forgotten we loved, songs we never stopped playing, and songs that hit harder live than they ever could through headphones. It was a rollercoaster of indie brilliance, nostalgia, and the kind of energy only Bastille can create.
Credit: Bastille at the AO Arena in Manchester
One of the biggest highlights of the night was the VS. (Other People’s Heartache) segment. We genuinely don’t talk enough about what a masterpiece that project is. The band stripped back their setup as two DJ decks rolled out centre stage, transforming the arena into a full-blown Bastille club experience. It was unexpected, refreshing, and showed off the band’s ability to bend genres without ever losing their identity. The lighting, the bass, the crowd reaction everything came together to create a completely different vibe, proving just how dynamic and experimental Bastille can be.
And then came ‘Pompeii’ and ‘Happier’ , two songs that feel almost woven into modern music culture at this point. Hearing thousands of voices echo those choruses back at Dan Smith was genuinely spine-tingling. It’s moments like that when you realise how much Bastille’s music has grown, evolved, and connected with fans over the years. Their audience now spans generations, and you could feel that unity in the room of parents with teens, old fans, new fans, and everyone in between, all sharing the same unforgettable moment.
What also stood out was the atmosphere. There’s something special about AO Arena: the acoustics, the crowd energy, the lights that sweep across the entire venue. Every detail enhances the performance, making even the quietest moments feel grand and the biggest hits feel monumental.
And honestly, the whole experience was made so much easier by AXS. Keeping track of gigs, managing tickets, and discovering upcoming shows is all right there in the app. No stress, no scrambling, just tap, book, go. It’s the perfect way to make sure you’re always one step ahead and never miss out on seeing your favourite artists live.
Last night wasn’t just a concert, it was a reminder of why we fell in love with Bastille in the first place. A celebration of their past, a showcase of their growth, and a promise that they’re not done surprising us yet.
And if this tour is anything to go by, your next best memory might be only one AXS tap away.
Lorde at AO Arena, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more essential info
Daisy Jackson
Lorde is performing a huge gig at the AO Arena in Manchester this week, as part of her Ultrasound World Tour.
The New Zealand-born singer burst onto the music scene at the tender ages of 16 with her smash-hit single Royals, way back in 2013.
Since then, she’s gone on to break several records with the releases of her four studio albums, and scooped up a handful of GRAMMYs and BRIT awards along the way too.
As well as her gig at the AO Arena here in Manchester, Lorde will also be calling at major UK cities including London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
The tour comes hot off the heels of the release of her latest album, Virgin, which once again topped the Official UK Album Charts.
If you’re heading to see Lorde at the AO Arena, here’s everything you need to know.
Lorde UK tour dates
15 November – AO Arena, Manchester
16 November – The O2, London
17 November – The O2, London
19 November – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
20 November – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Who is supporting Lorde at the AO Arena?
Experimental musician and producer Blood Orange, otherwise known as Devonte Hynes, will be the main support act for Lorde in Manchester.
The British musician has worked with the likes of Florence and the Machine, Mac Miller, Kylie Minogue, and – of course – Lorde, and will be warming up the crowds ready for our headliner.
Also taking the stage before Lorde will be electronic and indie pop star Jim-E Stack, whose solo releases have featured everyone from Bon Iver to Charli XCX.
Tickets for Lorde’s gig in Manchester
Credit: Thistle Brown
At the time of writing, there are just a handful of random tickets left for Lorde’s gig.
These are priced between £48.60 and £161.30.
Otherwise, your best bet is to look at resale tickets from a reputable site.
Stage times for Lorde at AO Arena Manchester
The AO Arena hasn’t yet confirmed the exact stage times for Lorde, but has said that doors will open from 6pm with a start time of around 7pm.
At other shows, Lorde has typically arrived on stage at around 9pm.
You can roughly expect stage times to be as follows:
Doors 6pm
Jim E-Stack 7pm
Blood Orange 8pm
Lorde 9pm
Keep an eye on the AO Arena’s socials for the latest.
Danny Jones -
31st July 2023 
