Kendal Calling has won the Festival of the Year award at the Northern Music Awards.

The Northern Music Awards, presented by music therapy charity Nordoff & Robbins were hosted by Chris Hawkins at The Olympia, Liverpool on March 27.

With a collection of guest presenters from across the North with Vernon Kay, Rick Astley, Peter Hook, The Verve’s Simon Jones, Echo & The Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant, Charity Shop Sue, Vicky Hawkesworth and Simon Rimmer.

Dr. John Cooper Clarke, Blossoms, Ian Broudie and the Lightning Seeds and The Zutons took to the stage along with emerging Liverpudlian talent Luvcat and Hull rapper Chiedu Oraka as the ceremony celebrated the best artists, bands, DJs, and industry figures of the year.

It is also the only major awards show dedicated to honoring the North’s music scene.

Voted for entirely by the public, the coveted Festival of the Year award went to the team behind Cumbria’s biggest music festival which will take place from 31 July – 3 August 2025, Kendal Calling.

Andy Smith, Kendal Calling co-founder said: “It’s our 20th birthday this year and what a wonderful present to receive.

“It means an awful lot to all the workers, musicians and audience that are the Kendal Calling family. 

“Our thanks to Nordoff & Robbins, a wonderful charity that understands the powerful magic of music and community.”

The NMAs Festival of the Year, Kendal Calling, is officially counting down to its 20th birthday celebrations, and it seems fans are just as excited to return to the fields and get festivities underway.

Just three weeks after the first wave line-up was revealed, Kendal Calling officially sold out, and in record time.

Not only that, the festival went on to break its own records, selling out for twenty consecutive years – a true testament to the glorious Kendal Calling community who return year-on-year to the hallowed grounds of Lowther Deer Park.

DJ of the Year went to Carlisle born Sarah Story with the Radio 1 Future Dance presenter getting her award from Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay.

Other award winners from the night included:

Dr. John Cooper Clarke, winner of The Northern Music Award 2025, sponsored by Live Nation

Blossoms, winners of the Music Moment of the Year, sponsored by American Express

Ian Broudie, winner of the Special Recognition Award, sponsored by SJM Concerts

The Zutons, winners of the Band of the Year, sponsored by Legends and ASM Global

English Teacher, winners of Album of the Year, sponsored by Rough Trade

Yungblud, winner of Disruptor in Music, sponsored by Sentric

Nia Archives, winner of Artist of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster

Luvcat, winner of Breakthrough Act of the Year, sponsored by BOXPARK Liverpool

Chiedu Oraka, winner of Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by The Cavern Club