Kendal Calling is becoming one of the most exciting weekends on the festival calendar and this year, it’s really upped its game. With acts including Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Pete Doherty, the Cumbrian festival is rivalling the biggest events this summer.

Surrounded by the beauty of the Lake District, Kendal Calling has continued to attract festival goers due to their epic line-ups and of course, their real ale festival.

This year is one of the best they’ve seen so far, with some of the most appealing large and small artists around at the moment. We all know that everyone is desperate to get in the fields with a pint and have Noel Gallagher serenading us into the sunset. There’s plenty of stages to get through but we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 freshest faces to the music scene that will make you press ‘pause’ on that hangover, and mosey on down for a look.

Sundara Karma – Calling Out Stage

Having supported The Wombats and Swim Deep, this Reading quartet have already grabbed the attention of Radio One and are racking up an impressive fan-base. Their sunkissed indie pop is going to wash that inevitable boozy blur away and get you reaching for another cider. These guys are sure to be one of the weekend’s highlights.

Spring King – Calling Out Stage

Chaotic garage-pop with The Beach Boys as cited as one of their biggest influences, Spring King are crashing the Calling Out Stage this year. Since becoming the first band to feature on Zane Lowe’s BEATS 1 radio station, they’ve been picking up global media coverage and hit the road with some of the biggest upcoming artists including Wolf Alice and Slaves. These guys are for those who are looking for the rowdiest parts of Kendal Calling.

Declan Mckenna – Main Stage

He snatched the Glastonbury Emerging Talent title last year, performing on the main stage at only 16 years old with the super catchy ‘Brazil’, and was a total SXSW hit. Fast forward a year and he’s back with new single ‘Paracetamol‘ and about to embark on a UK tour before jumping on the festival circuit. You’ll need a Thursday ticket to catch him at Kendal Calling this year so make sure you consider starting your weekend early!

Cupids – House Party Stage

Originally The Gramotones, Cupids have been hitting Kendal Calling for the past few years, including a main stage slot and are often found hanging around Tim Peaks. They’ve supported legend Paul Weller and Blossoms, and have travelled the UK relentlessly on their own headline tour. Definitely a welcomed return – Kendal Calling wouldn’t be the same without them now.

Liberty Ship – Woodlands Stage

Influenced by the likes of The Beatles and The Stone Roses, Sheffield lads Liberty Ship are bound to pack out the Woodlands stage this year with their sunshine-tinged indie rock.

The Bulletproof Bomb – Calling Out Stage

New kids on the block The Bulletproof Bomb laid the groundwork on the festival circuit last year so we’re expecting even better things this year. With their raucous guitar driven vibes and a mash-up of indie/alternative/punk, it’s going to be a rowdy set so don’t come with a bad head!

Zibra – Calling Out Stage

BBC Radio 1 loves these guys at the minute and it’s hard to disagree with them. Euphoric synths teamed with jagged basslines to rival the headliners of the weekend, Zibra aren’t to be missed.

Space Monkeys – House Party Stage

You can’t go wrong with a classic; Space Monkeys is your nostalgic fix for this weekend. If you love anything to come out of Manchester that’s glittered with strong influences from The Jam, Primal Scream and Happy Mondays, saunter on down to their set at the House Party Stage. We’re sure their older UK cult following will be there so the atmosphere is set to be amazing.

Ded Rabbit – Woodlands Stage

Mash up a bit of indie, rock, pop and alternative and you’ve got Ded Rabbit. With a strong resemblance to old Arctic Monkeys and Maximo Park, they’re an ideal festival band that are sure to pull in the crowds to the Woodlands stage. Plus they love Jimi Hendrix – that warrants a mention for them in itself.

Ratboy – Calling Out Stage

You’re either going to love him or hate him, but it’s difficult to not be intrigued by his set either way. Tipped as the modern day Jamie T, Rat Boy is the voice of surburban Britain as he paints a world of muggings, wannabe gangsters and the dangerous world of public transport. This one is going to be huge.

Kendal Calling 2016 takes place in Lowther Deer Park, The Lake District on 28-31 July. Tickets are available here.