KENDAL Calling has a strong reputation for picking up on new rising bands just before they explode.

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Homegrown talent Wild Beasts and bands like Glasvegas and Kodaline have cut their teeth on the main stage in previous years, and this year there are a few candidates to follow in their footsteps to international acclaim.

One of the frontrunners are Stockport-based indie pop outfit Blossoms - already on a rapid ascent, and seasoned Kendal Calling veterans.

Last year their sets in the intimate Tim Peaks Diner went down a storm, but an unbelievable end to 2015 and start to 2016 has seen them make the huge leap to headliners of the festival's second stage.

Recalling last year's visit, frontman Tom Ogden said: "The energy in there was mad - we loved it.

"I think we were there Thursday and Friday, but we didn't have enough beer to last us more than one day, so we were like naughty school kids trying to sneak more in. This time we'll come prepared.

"I didn't realise we were headlining the Calling Out stage this year until I saw the announcement, so I was a bit stunned. I think it's a big tent isn't it, so there should be a good vibe, and I think our music will go down really well."

Their rise has been rapid, and with all five members born between 1991 and 97, time is very much on their side to achieve their lofty ambitions.

Vocalist and guitarist Tom, and his bandmates lead guitarist Josh Dewhurst, bassist Charlie Salt, keyboardist Myles Kellock and drummer Joe Donovan, list all the indie greats among their influences, though their sound is drawn more from the shimmering and melodic end of the pool, recalling the likes of Teenage Fanclub and The La's.

It's proved a hit in the UK and Europe, and will also carry them as far afield as South Korea and Australia this year, putting them firmly on the path to British music's upper echelons.

"Everything has been non-stop since Kendal Calling last year," admitted Tom.

"We didn't even have a record deal then, and now we've recorded an album and toured Europe - it's been a bit mad, but we've not really had time to dwell on it.

"Who'd have thought that when we were growing up and sitting listening to Oasis in our bedrooms that one day our name would be on the same poster as Noel Gallagher.

"I think we're all just enjoying ourselves, because we know there are far worse jobs than being in a band and travelling around with your best mates. We wanted this more than anything in the world, and we still want to get bigger.

"I've never understood why any band wouldn't want to be the biggest band possible - we want people to sing our songs back to us at festivals like this, they're the magic moments. That's what we aspire to."

A clutch of EPs form their back catalogue so far, and recent singles At Most a Kiss and Getaway give a clue to what we can expect from their self-titled album when it drops, some time around Kendal Calling this summer.

"The reaction to our singles have been great, and we just want to play as much as possible and get our name out there this year.

"Our album is out in the summer - we know when, but we can't be more specific than that - but we can definitely promise some new stuff will be in the set for Kendal."

  • Blossoms headline the Calling Out stage at Kendal Calling, which takes place at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, from July 28 to 31, 2016.