Overnight the rain can only be described as biblical, waking up to a flooded tent was not the greatest start to day two. Having cleaned up our tent we head for solace of Tim Peaks, where we dined out on the finest cake and Yorkshire Tea to warm us up.

Kicking off our musical endeavours on day two are The Heavy, even though the rain is still lashing, the crowds have turned out in their masses to catch one of the best bands of the weekend; a plethora of party tracks don’t go amiss as they restore the smiles on this excited crowd's faces. The Heavy seem completely overwhelmed by the turn out for their set, we all know that braving this horrific weather is well worth it. purely for tracks like ‘What Makes A Good Man.’

Feeling slightly better we venture back to the Calling Out tent in time for local Carlisle lads The Lucid Dream. Perhaps more at home at one of the many psych festivals around now, this is still their home festival and the crowds have braved the weather to fill out the Calling Out tent. The Lucid Dream do not disappoint - one of the finest sets of the entire weekend.

The Heavy cheered us up, but The Lucid Dream blew us away it’s been a while and they have honed their craft with relentless touring. Today sees them playing tracks from their debut Songs of Lies and Deceit, with a five minute long psychedelic jam to close their set. We’re left completely in awe of these guys it seems that they’ve helped to finally finish off the rain and the suns returned.

Perhaps not the sunniest band on this afternoons line-up, but arguably one of the most seriously underrated, are Lanterns on The Lake. The most atmospheric and cinematic of bands you’ll find on any line-up, their music is beautiful. They fill this tent with ease; their tracks, beautiful cacophonous symphonies. Breathtakingly brilliant just as the sun begins to emerge, we’re truly dazzled and it’s still pretty early on.

The time has come for Newcastle via Chicago exports Gallery Circus to make their Kendal Calling debut, calling these guys a power duo would be a complete understatement. Hefty blues-rock of the highest calibre, their brutal delivery and aggressive drumming is a sight truly to behold. These guys have got everything that you could want from a duo, ‘Supercell’ goes down a storm. They’re firmly marked as one to watch and today proves that they’re every bit as deserving of that mantle.

We do have to rush away from the end of their set though to make sure we catch John Robb’s Membranes in the House Party tent next door. As we enter the tent a wall of smoke hits us and as that clears, John Robb and his crew belt out some of the best punk around greet us. From one awesome band to another, Kendal is truly bowling us over this weekend.

It just keeps on getting better though it's wall-to-wall brilliance. A short walk from the House Party and back in a very sweaty Tim Peaks. Sunderland’s Frankie and The Heartstrings are there to entertain us. By this point, the sun's at its peak and it’s blazing. Tim Peaks is sweltering as crowds gather all around the wooden cabin to hear and to try and catch a glimpse of the band.

Playing tracks of their as yet unreleased album alongside old favourites including ‘That Girl That Scene’ and ‘Hunger.’ This has to be one of the sets of the weekend, a rousing sing along from start to finish, not only are we having a great time it looks like the band are too, despite the immense heat.

Unfortunately though as Frankie and The Heartstrings finish their set, the dark clouds are back and just as soon as it came, the sun has gone again, replaced by misery as the rain lashes. Taking cover under a tree we watch the Happy Mondays from afar, they raise a smile despite the rain and to be honest who wouldn’t when Sean Ryder and co are twisting their melons.

With just a short while to wait, we’re off foraging for food again, stumbling upon the awesome rotisserie. Armed with chicken we settle in for Frank Turner, even though the rain is still lashing. Frank takes to the stage and wastes no time in getting stuck in, with tracks from all three albums. Kicking off with the brilliant ‘Photosynthesis’, the crowd bounce in the swamp that is the main stage pit but for these few moments everyone’s lost all of their cares.

‘Peggy Sang The Blues’ almost sets off a riot; tonight’s set is being played at a blistering pace. Frank breaks it down during the middle part of the set with acoustic renditions of tracks like ‘Love Ire & Song.’ Perhaps the biggest triumph of this evening is his courage with new material, bucking the typical trend, he has the entire crowd on his side as they dance.

The latter part of the set sees the likes of ‘Recovery’ and ‘I Still Believe’ turn this crowd into a mess of bodies. A truly triumphant, brilliant set, Frank and The Sleeping Souls are truly embraced by tonight’s huge crowd. As always though once the pyrotechnics have died down, Kendal once again springs more surprises.

The site is lit up like a beacon in the sky wandering back up to Tim Peaks we catch the early part of The Everly Pregnant Brothers late show, before taking a leap into the completely unknown. We wind our way up past the Woodlands stage and through the Garden of Eden, to a clearing high up in the wooded area of the site.

Here we’re greeted with a small gathering of people and a shed packed with equipment, there’s a warm up DJ on. As the clock strikes midnight, through the back-door of the shed enter two figures clad in cagoules and their typical shirts and ties. Its only 2ManyDjs, this clearing is like a palace compared to the rest of the site - no mud, no rain.

Stephen and David are in particularly cheeky moods, posing for selfies with the small crowd and making mischievous hand gestures behind others heads. All the while thrilling us with their usual immense DJing skills, mashing up the likes of The Strokes, Bryan Ferry and Talking Heads. It's an awesome end to the day, it helped us to forget all about the rain, even if just for a short while.

Glasgow's Prides play their “sort of single” on the Main Stage. Rain falls, sideways. A single balloon in the shape of a Minion from Despicable Me floats somewhat vigorously across a bleak sky. Welcome to Saturday morning at Y-Not. The mornings on the Main Stage are typically reserved for up and coming bands and today is no exception, as the aforementioned Prides, Bang Bang Bang and Neon Waltz all entertain those up early enough to make the journey through the rain to the arena.

It really is a little more than just rain though. Wind and hail also make brief(ish) appearances forcing everyone outside back to their tent or the nearest bar; the effects of which are evident later in the day. Unlike Kendal Calling however (another festival taking place this weekend), the weather subsides early enough for us to don our wellies and take a trip across the site to The Quarry Stage in a bid to catch folk-punk troubadour Beans on Toast, whose occasionally irreverent, often political acoustic numbers are likely to lift any dampened spirit.

Arriving a little way through his first song, it's clear a lot of people have had similar thoughts; the crowd spilling out backwards down the small hill in front of the tent. Although there's an undercurrent of seriousness to Beans' plight, he intersperses his political ideals with tracks about blow-jobs and getting drunk, even recounting an instance from Standon Calling, in which he impressively ended up being “bitch-slapped” by an Australian drum'n'bass duo for being too drunk. It's brilliant afternoon entertainment, and we can't wait to check him out on tour later this year.

Surprisingly enough it seems the weather is finally on our side, and despite a perpetual ring of grey that surrounds the site, the sky above is clear and we head on over to the Main Stage to catch Catfish and the Bottlemen. Having taken last year in their stride, the band have already garnered an impressive reputation, and their forthcoming debut The Balcony looks set to see them explode. Though this is one of over thirty festival appearances over the Summer, the sheer energy they exude is enough to make you believe it's their first and only this year. Despite an early warning that they “may have to finish early due to an electrical storm” the band manage a full set of tracks including each of their six singles, whilst last year's 'Homesick' even sees the band fall in to Rod Stewart's 'Do You Think I'm Sexy'. The crowd lap up every moment too, 'Kathleen' and current single 'Fallout' going down especially well.

Oddly, the crowd thins somewhat before and during Swim Deep's set, while unsurprisingly Shed Seven draw the biggest of the day so far; their '90s anthems appealing to those of the crowd old enough to remember them, yet going over the heads of those present only so as to reserve a decent spot for The Fratellis. Like Razorlight the previous night, The Fratellis seem to be here to sate an appetite for nostalgia. Like Razorlight again however, they put on a fantastic set that's only marred by a few members of crowd throwing bottles, spurring frontman Jon Fratelli to threaten to leave if it happens again, “No 'Chelsea Dagger'. None of it.”. It seems strange for a singer to admit that a crowd only really wants to hear one song. It does later prove true, however, as the closing notes of said track ring out, people appear to lose interest. It's a shame really, as despite them feeling like your traditional festival nostalgia trip, they put on one of the best performances of the weekend.

One of the biggest surprises of the weekend was Saturday's headliner Dizzee Rascal. Having seen Dizzee before, I really wasn't expecting much, but figured I'd take a gamble and see if this time round, we wouldn't be as disappointed. We weren't. Playing an impressive number of tracks from his first two albums, as well the expected hip-pop of his collaborative efforts, it really does seem that Dizzee is back on form. Knowing just how to get the crowd going, a moshpit opens up and doesn't relent once; lazers, confetti cannons and smoke machines are all par for the course, whilst an already-lairy crowd (that seems to stretch back to the arena gates) out-do themselves with each and every track he drops. 'Bonkers' sees an end to the set, but also sees the crowd reach the peak of its craziness, almost literally losing its collective shit.

With that we once again head back to our tent for a few quiet drinks, safe in the knowledge we're probably going to feel fresher than most in the morning, though secretly yearning to be able to party like we used to.  

We arrive early Friday as the rain pours at Kendal Calling, quickly getting our act together, our tent's up and we're off. First stop, the original Tim Peaks diner who occupy their usual hut at the top of the festival site. Here we purchase our festival essential – an unlimited supply of Yorkshire Tea.

We settle in to this year's space theme, and head over to hear from Steve Hanley formerly of The Fall, about his new book The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall which was ghost written by Olivia Piekarski. They describe it as the warts and all truth about The Fall whilst being careful of not revealing too much. His story sounds particularly interesting so much so that we feel compelled to pick up a copy of the book.

As the rain continues to pour we find sustenance before checking out the brilliant Norma Jean Martine who takes away the rain and brightens up our day. Her beautiful lyrics fill the air and as the crowds swells, her contemporary pop music cheers us up.

However, we've been given a tip off about a local band playing up at the Woodlands stage, on our way we stumble into the Calling Out tent and catch the latter part of The Ramona Flowers set. Their poppy single ‘Vultures’ is the perfect electro indie that drives the UK indie scene and certainly gets this festival crowd going.

Up in the Woodlands we are just in time for My Little Brother, a band from Carlisle, just thirty minutes from the festival site. They shock us with their brilliant, well-crafted folk-pop and brilliant lyricism that provokes huge grins from the large crowd that's amassed. Songs like ‘If We Never Came Down’ and ‘My Hypocritical Friend’ sound superb and help to keep spirits high despite the grey skies.

We head straight back to Tim Peaks for what has to be one of the highlights of the whole weekend, The Everley Pregnant Brothers. This ukulele orchestra features Pete McKee legendary illustrator and designer of this years limited edition Tim Peaks mug. They're a parody band of epic proportions, today we see them playing 'Common People', 'Creep' 'and No Woman No Cry' with the words substituted for "no oven, no pie."

We then get the opportunity to see Leeds' Dinosaur Pile Up who're as raucous as ever tearing up The House Party tent. A perfect way for us to warm up for the evening's entertainment. The poor weather from earlier seems to be a thing of the past andthe festival is in full swing now.

We take the short walk over to the Calling Out tent to see a band we're particularly fond of, Admiral Fallow. With tracks like ‘Squealing Pigs’ and ‘The Paper Trench’ provoke huge singalongs, there seems to be a particularly passionate crowd, as the front row looks overjoyed, singing back every word.

We headed over to the main stage as we were expecting the hip hop institution that is De La Soul. Unfortunately due to traffic they're 45 minutes late, but when they do turn up, they bring the party. From making the photographers put their cameras down and join the party, to thrilling us with a plethora of hits, the crowd may have booed them before they appeared, but these guys take it all in their stride and it's not long before every person is the crowd is back on side.

As the time of the headliners approaches we find time to fit in some of Catfish and The Bottlemen, it would appear that it's lead singer Van’s birthday and he's clearly overwhelmed by the overflowing Calling Out tent. As the crowd take to singing back every word of 'Pacifier' and the ever popular 'Kathleen'. Our time here is cut short though as we're called back to the main stage for this evenings headliner.

Suede taking to the stage this year seems rather poignant, after all, this year is the 20th anniversary of Brit Pop. Closing out the day on the main stage with a set packed full of hits including ‘Animal Nitrate’ and ‘Trash’ which both feature early on. Brett Anderson, one of the kings of Brit Pop, surveys the Kendal Calling landscape with his subjects bowing at his feet . There really is an unbelievable reaction to the legends.

We split our time between headliners though as we've been looking forward to seeing Jimi Goodwin live because his solo material is truly excellent. His set also provides us with a greatly relaxing end to our first day. At least we thought that this was the end, we head over to our favourite late night eatery Ghandis Flip Flop and take a moment to survey the site, a look which proves beyond any reasonable doubt that this festival is not all about the music. The site is more alive than ever, especially after the main acts have left the stages, with amazing fire displays and late night discos and the Riot Jazz tent that looks like it is just getting started.

However, we're distracted by the noise emanating from the Chai Wallahs tent, wandering up to find the brilliant Mr Scruff. He's just embarking upon one of his mammoth sets but alas, tiredness takes over and we make our way back to our tent having thoroughly enjoyed the first day. Despite the weather, everyone's spirits remain high and so far we're yet to see anyone who's not enjoying themselves.

Photos: Christy Hill

 Arriving at a festival just as it's gone dark isn't the most sensible of ways to begin a weekend in a field, yet that's    the way we chose to begin Y-Not Festival, a small, yet perfectly sized event (though it has downsized from last  year's festival) that takes place atop one of Derbyshire's many hills. Only an hour or so's drive from Manchester,  we didn't bank on getting almost spectacularly lost somewhere on the other side of Buxton, with only sheep to ask  for directions. As such we arrive on site just after 9pm and opt, rather sensibly, to pass on going to see Thursday  night's entertainment Goldie Lookin' Chain and instead just listen whilst setting up our tent behind the main stage.  Hearing the band close with their 'classic' 'Guns Don't Kill People', we decide a fresh head tomorrow is probably  ideal and call it a night.

Morning comes, and so to, in true festival spirit, do the sounds of some middle class hippies filling balloons with laughing gas. Despite a somewhat overcast morning it's reasonably warm and after a couple of drinks we head in to the arena for some food and first band of the day Hey Sholay. Though there's barely a crowd at this time in the morning, the band have an energy and a sound that wouldn't go amiss with some of the bigger names around at the moment. Opening track 'Wishbone' gets a warm reception from some established fans, whilst seeing the modest crowd almost double by its end. For the opening act of the day, and for many, the weekend, Hey Sholay have a penchant for impactive, crowd-pleasing tracks that are inevitably destined for bigger crowds and bigger stages.

A meander across site takes us to Mussel Beach, a cocktail bar filled with deckchairs and bad puns. The cocktails are spot on though, if not a little limited, but they certainly seem to go down well with punters across the weekend.

Time for self-proclaimed gutter rapper Itch now who draws an impressive mid-afternoon crowd over at The Quarry Stage. Renowned for his energy as ex-front-man in The King Blues, on his own it surpasses that, seeing him relish in the room the stage provides. Until he ends up in the heaving mass of bodies stage front, that is, even managing to keep to the beat as he's mobbed. It's an impressive performance again for so early in the day, though a little more of his Manifesto EPs wouldn't have gone amiss.

Back on the Main Stage, Manchester's Sonic Boom Six ply their abrasive blend of ska, hip-hop and anarcho ideology. It's heavy stuff, and not perhaps what some people were expecting given the looks on some faces. Having seen the Boom before however it's par for the course and they manage to get a decent number of people moving before their set ends.

'Banter of the Day' award would probably have to go to Spector however, who tell the crowd they “look a million dollars..Australian dollars” and that this is “the best festival in Derbyshire...well maybe second”. The highlight of the evening however comes as a surprise in the form of Razorlight, whose set is filled with their back catalogue of hits such as 'Golden Touch' and 'In the Morning'. Someone behind me in a lesser band shouts for singer Johnny Borrell to change his clothes, ironic since this guy didn't change his all weekend either. The crowd reaction to Razorlight is probably what's most surprising however, as if they're a band whose popularity never waned. Their set is impressive though, and you can't help but think the crowd might have preferred them as a headliner.

Closing out the Friday are White Lies whose huge sound is big enough to headline most festivals, and are certainly more suitable a headliner than Razorlight would have been, at least in terms of relevancy; it feels somewhat lessened however, by the crowd's earlier response and tracks such as 'Fairwell to the Fairground' and 'To Lose My Life' do go down as well as expected. White Lies sound is sonorous, it's emotive, it's impassioned, but it's not music to party to. And though there are plenty of people here enjoying themselves, you can't help but think that their sound is lost on some of the younger members of the crowd, of which, to Y-Not's credit, there are many, making it a surprisingly family-friendly festival should you wish to bring them.

With that, we call it a night once again, impressed by the quietness of where we're camped and grateful too, of the placing of the “Rock and Roll” camp-site, situated at the back of the site, away from the Family Camping and Glamping sections, and, judging by the look of many a hungover teenager's face the following morning, plenty more people could have done with a quieter night too.