Lewis Capaldi, Wolf Alice, and Rag’n’Bone Man, Standon Calling 2019 was set to be the strongest year yet. Drawing in a wide mix of festival-goers and families, this inclusive festival focused on having something for everyone – from pub quizzes to fancy dress to kid’s play areas.
Buoyed up by this energy of inclusivity, the crowd was barely moved by the unpredictable rain showers and unseasonal chills–even that one guy who fell face first into the mud kept a grin on his face.
Friday saw singer-songwriter Emily Burns opening up the main stage with her catchy and heart-felt tunes making it clear she’s one to watch, followed by Kawala and The Japanese House, while over on the Laundry Meadows stage, fans were given a taste of the heavier side of music with the likes of Saint Agnes and Idles. The glorious sunny day ended with a massive gathering at the main stage for Brit award winning Rag ‘N’ Bone Man.
Contender for highlight of the festival was actually an early Saturday act. Elvana had everyone eating out of their hands by just a few songs in. Eyebrows certainly raised at first – as a pink-clad Elvis impersonator informed the crowd that they would be covering Nirvana classics but any doubts quickly vanished, as Elvana made this strange collab seem absolutely logical.
On absolute top form was Kate Nash; she threw herself into her live performance with all of the gusto of someone who is both passionate about what they do and has some shit to say. Her stomping set was watched by a heaving crowd following her every move in her stunning bright pink… dressing gown? A captivating show all round as Kate Nash has fully come into her element of pop with a full punk attitude behind it.
Here’s a thing— Lewis Capaldi is hilarious. Arguably, we’d watch him just do the talking bits and still have a great time, but he was here to play music and by god he delivered. The roar from the massive crowd, screaming back his songs at him (amidst a few hysterical ‘I love you, Lewis’s) was overwhelming in what up until that point had seemed a comparatively tame affair. Playing every hit you’d expect, he enchanted the masses with both his wit and song, which is all anyone can ask for really.
Review by Chloe Mayo.
Check out more images from Standon Calling in the gallery below.
Early bird tickets for Standon Calling 2020 are on sale now from the Standon Calling website.