KENDAL Calling has announced that Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Libertines, Run DMC and Hacienda Classical will headline the 2018 festival.

FULL LINE-UP HERE: Kendal Calling 2018 full line-up so far

Cumbria's biggest live music event returns in late July, with around 25,000 people expected to be in attendance at the Lowther Deer Park site.

This first-wave announcement of acts features more than 70 acts, including the biggest Cumbrian contingent in recent years, making for an unmissable weekend of music, arts, comedy, food and drink.

With 2017 marking the 12th consecutive sell out for the festival - selling out just one week after announcing the line-up last time around - fans are encouraged to book early, with the final tickets now on sale.

Catfish and the Bottlemen step up to headline, having packed out the Main Stage arena in 2016. Since the release of their debut album, The Balcony, their rise to the top has been rapid.

Their follow-up effort The Ride saw them establish themselves as one of the true stars of the burgeoning British guitar scene and this summer they head back to the fields for what will prove to be one of the big highlights of Kendal Calling 2018.

True heroes of indie and a band who were sorely missed during their lengthy absence, The Libertines will be making a long overdue trip to Kendal Calling.

Having reformed and re-established themselves as kings of their genre, the four-piece will be bringing anthems from their three hit albums to Cumbria.

Filling the now-established 'hip hop legends' slot are rap icons Run DMC, armed with an arsenal of huge hits, including It’s Like That, My Adidas and It's Tricky.

Kicking proceedings off on the Thursday night is a special show from Hacienda Classical with the Manchester Camerata - the city’s experimental orchestra playing a new set of huge classics.

Festival director Andy Smith said: "We're thrilled to be heading into our 13th year and can't wait to head back to the beautiful Lake District for another weekend of music, art, food and a couple of 'Kend-ales'.

"We're lucky to have one of our biggest line-ups ever and can’t wait to welcome hip hop royalty Run DMC to the festival alongside our other headliners Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Libertines and Hacienda Classical. See you in the fields!"

The two largest stages at Kendal Calling 2018 will once again feature an eclectic mix of indie stars, and the freshest new talents that the UK has to offer.

Scene frontrunners James, Shed Seven, and Ocean Colour Scene, will be joined by the likes of The Sherlocks, White Lies, The Wailers, Declan McKenna, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Lucy Spraggan, The Amazons, Tom Grennan, Slow Readers Club, Peter Hook & The Light, Marmozets, Pale Waves, Idles, Dub Pistols, Hollie Cook, Sam Fender, Black Honey, Pins, The Blinders, Jordan Allen, Anteros, Yonaka, Trudy & The Romance, Bang Bang Romeo across the Main Stage and the Calling Out stage.

Manchester scene legend Peter Hook said: “I've always loved the Lake District and the opportunity to play with both my favourite acts, Hacienda Classical and The Light, at Kendal Calling, coming there for the first time this year is really a dream come true."

Simon Fowler, of Ocean Colour Scene, added: "Myself and Oscar played at Kendal Calling a couple of years ago, so this is a fantastic opportunity to come back and bring the full band to play at this great well-known independent festival."

The Glow Dance Stage line-up has also become a major part of the Kendal Calling line-up. DJ sets from Basement Jaxx and Gorgon City, Idris Elba, a special takeover from drum 'n' bass stalwarts Hospitality, sets from Grandmaster Flash and Mistajam, alongside Horse Meat Disco, Wookie and Gotsome, are among the highlights so far.

Kendal Calling returns to Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, from Thursday July 26 to Sunday 29. Tickets will be available from www.kendalcalling.co.uk from 10am on Thursday February 8.