Virgin Money Unity Arena lineup announced

Virgin Money Arena

Following the announcement last week that the UK’s first socially distanced live music arena would be launching on Tyneside, its organisers have today confirmed a barnstorming opening line-up. Virgin Money Unity Arena will officially launch at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park, on Friday 14th August and Saturday 15th August THIS YEAR. Two Door Cinema Club will be the first heavweight headliner to … Read more

Jason Manford to headline Kendal Calling’s Soapbox Comedy stage

Last year’s sold out Kendal Calling saw the return of the festival’s celebrated Soapbox Comedy Stage and this year the stage presents its biggest lineup to date. With Main Stage headliners Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Rudimental, Madness and The Charlatans on hand as some of the biggest names in the world of music, Kendal will also proudly host some of the finest names in the UK’s always-flourishing comedy scene including headliner Jason Manford.

As one of the country’s best-loved comedians and an undisputed household name, Jason Manford has one of the most recognizable faces in British comedy. From humble beginnings as a glass collector at Manchester’s Buzz Comedy Club to starring on Live at the Apollo, QI and 8 Out Of Cats as well as successful theatre stints in The Producers, Sweeney Todd and his recent run in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, his career has seen him become what the BBC describe as ‘a true master of observational comedy’. Kendal couldn’t be happier to welcome another huge Manchester talent to the festival.

He’ll be joined by some of the finest comedic talent that the UK and beyond has to offer in the shape of frequent Peter Kay collaborator Justin Moorhouse, Channel 4's Friday Night Project host Rob Rouse, prolific American comic Russel Hicks, the elegant rants of Phil Jerrod, Time Out ‘One To Watch’ Sarah Callaghan, Edinburgh Fringe regular John Hastings and the unique musical comedy of Vince Atta. Familiar face of E4’s ‘Cucumber, Tofu, Banana’ series Bethany Black, Holsten Pils’ Comedian of the year Steve Shanyaski, the whip smart Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, the BBC New Comedy Award shortlisted Laura Lexx and ‘The Funnygirl Podcast’ host Katie Mulgrew.

Set in what is widely regarded as the most beautiful festival site in the UK, this award winning, independent festival is renowned for more than just music and comedy. Festival lovers will also enjoy 4 days of arts installationsgourmet foodkid’s entertainment, real ale festival and the incredible Arts Council funded Lost Eden area all within the surrounds of the Lake District’s incredible Lowther Deer Park.

Tickets sold out in record time last year and for the first time Kendal Calling is not increasing it's capacity so grab one of the final tickets now and see you in the fields!

Full Soapbox Comedy Lineup:

JASON MANFORD

JUSTIN MOORHOUSE

ROB ROUSE

RUSSELL HICKS

PHIL JERROD

SARAH CALLAGHAN

JOHN HASTINGS

VINCE ATTA

BETHANY BLACK

STEVE SHANYASKI

KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN

LAURA LEXX

KATIE MULGREW