Paolo Nutini Headlines Kendal Calling’s Closing Night

On Sunday, Paolo Nutini took to the main stage at Kendal Calling to see out what had certainly been a weekend to remember. Joining a remarkable lineup, featuring the likes of Noel Gallagher, The Streets and Declan McKenna, the highly anticipated final act was met by huge crowds on Sunday night.
Despite Cumbria’s typical rainy weather, the energy of the crowd only grew (understandably listening to ‘Candy’ in the pouring rain felt as close to a spiritual experience as I can imagine one can get). Some definite stand outs were of course ‘New Shoes’, ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’, ‘Acid Eyes’ and ‘Iron Sky’, with Paolo even leaving the stage to stand in front of fans at the barricade.
Rather than using any elaborate set pieces, Paolo’s vocals and beautiful imagery on the stage screen alone created a highly engaging atmosphere. During ‘Last Request’, for example, Paolo sang an acoustic version whilst playing the guitar. The simplicity of the performance created an emotional and intimate rendition of arguably one of the most romantic songs to have ever been written.
With an early encore after ‘Candy’, crowds chanted “Oh Paolo Nutini” as he returned to sing ‘Let Me Down Easy’, ‘Iron Sky’, and finally closed with ‘Shine a Light’.  Although an unexpected closing track, it definitely did not disappoint.
Shortly after Paolo left the stage, a montage of this year's festival played on the stage screen to the soundtrack of The Snuts ‘Glasgow’ with this year's annual fireworks show in the background.
All in all, Paolo Nutini’s headlining set was the perfect closing set filled with a blend of well-known bangers and a few of his lesser known tracks.