LIVE: Deer Shed Festival 2024 – A Child’s View

In addition to all the fantastic music that North Yorkshire’s Deer Shed treats us to, the festival also prides itself on its family friendly focus and array of activities on offer for children to enjoy. To get full insight into what the festival experience might be like for under 5s, we thought it only right to ask our very own next generation GIHE gal Orla her own thoughts about spending Saturday at Deer Shed a few weeks’ back..

John McGovern has put to pen what Orla told us, with highlights including face-painting, big caterpillars and Baba Ali…

Mama and Daddy had told me we were going to a festival. I had done a festival day at nursery and I had played guitar, but we had to go in the car to this one. When we got out of the car I had nearly been asleep, but I could hear music from the car park, and there were lots of trees. I got into my cart and Daddy asked: “How are you feeling?” and I said: “GOOD!”. And when he asked “What are you looking forward to doing?”, I said “Going in!”

I got a special wristband – Mama said I had to keep it on the whole time. I could see hundreds of tents when we walked in, and lots of children but some were older than me (I’m three). Daddy bought me some ear defenders and I chose red ones. Then Mama said it was lunchtime, and we didn’t know what to get because there was so many places. But I like golden cheese and chips, so we got that. Daddy says ‘golden cheese’ is actually called halloumi…

We were on our way to the special bit for kids, but Mama said we should also look in the shops, and someone was doing face painting. Last time I got my face painted I chose Bluey, but this time I wanted rainbows to match my dress. I felt really magical because the lady put big sparkly glitter on my face. Then we got to a thing Daddy called ‘Feral Farm’ – it was full of straw. Big kids were building straw in piles and other kids were sliding on it. I threw straw on Daddy and put straw in his shoes – that was my favourite bit. I didn’t want to leave, but Daddy said there was other things to see.

There was a big playground built of wood and kids with tools smashing it, and a field with kids playing football, and a mud kitchen. But I wanted to play in sand; I took my wellies and socks off and stood on the sand, and other girls did too. We found a worm and built him a house. Mama said there was soft play, so we went in the tent to look – I ran up and down and had to balance on it. Then I rode on a big caterpillar. In there, Daddy asked me questions – “what’s your favourite thing about the festival?”, I said “Kids”.

There was a lot of things that we looked at too – a tent with kids doing experiments, and a clown in a big tent. I wish we had more time, but Daddy said we should go and see at least one band. We rolled in my cart back towards the big stage and it started to rain. But no-one seemed sad about the rain. They went into a tent with a big long table and started to dance to some music – Daddy said it was where you could get silly juice, but I’m not allowed to have any yet… All the grown ups and the kids were happy, even when it rained.

We went up a hill near a big wheel that people were riding on and Daddy said “There’s Mari!”. And a lady with white hair like Mama, and a man with a big beard were there (he was Uncle Paul). I showed Paul my Miffy bag and then I ran into a big tent. Me and Daddy played tig, and Daddy said there would be a band on the stage soon, and people started coming in. Daddy asked whether I wanted to hear quiet music or loud music, and I said “Loud!” We stood far back but Daddy put me on his shoulders so I could see. Two boys came out; one played guitar and one sang. It was VERY LOUD like I wanted, and I had my red ear defenders on. It was the best. I wanted Daddy to put me on the ground so I could dance, and my wellies lighted up and then Mama held me, and I danced and danced and danced. And was smiling the whole time. The boys playing guitar and singing were called Baba Ali, and they are my favourite band.

Daddy said we had to go after that because it would be bedtime when we got home. But I got a green t-shirt so I could show people I had been to Deer Shed. When I saw the tents again on the way to the car, I told Daddy that I wanted a tent for next year at the festival. I fell asleep in the car going home and had dreams about music and dancing and straw. I like thinking about the festival and Baba Ali, and I want to go again when I am bigger.

Massive thanks to Orla for telling us about her day at Deer Shed this year – it sounds like she had a wonderful time, and she would definitely recommend it to other children!

You can read our ‘grown up’ reviews of days one and two at Deer Shed a few weeks’ back, with highlights including Los Bitchos, The Go! Team, Picture Parlour and Liz Lawrence. And keep your eyes peeled for some words and photos of Sunday at the festival, coming very soon!

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LIVE (Photos) Deer Shed Festival 2024 (Day 2, 27.07.2024)

Having fallen in love with Deer Shed when I attended for the first time back in 2022, and then going on to have another dreamy weekend at the North Yorkshire festival last year, I was very glad I got to go again this year. Highlighting a real family focus, whilst hosting a range of exciting new artists, it oozes the warmest of vibes and – being smaller in size than most other festivals – creates a space that feels comfortingly intimate; an inclusive safe haven for artists and fans of all genres and ages. Whilst providing a child-friendly environment, this does not take away from the quality and array of performances on offer for everyone to enjoy. Although I’d say I’m in the minority of attendees who does not have children (or isn’t a child themselves!), I in no way feel this to be hindrance – there’s still plenty of adult fun to be had, just in perhaps a slightly less intense, and more safe, environment than most other festivals. Which is no bad thing, in my opinion! 

Amongst those performing, a fantastic amount of female, non binary and queer performers are represented, and. I was lucky enough to catch lots of these over the weekend – a good balance of artists I already knew and loved, and those who I had not had the chance to see before. Following our thoughts about Friday evening at the festival, find some words and photos about our highlights of Saturday below…

Waking up to the sound of children kayaking along the stream on Saturday morning at Deer Shed feels pretty idyllic; almost as idyllic as it does to sit in the sunshine whilst the glistening Geordie folk tunes of Frankie Archer float through the crowd at the Lodge Stage for our first music of the day. From songs endorsing lie-ins, to tales of peacocks showing respect to the hens in their lives, Archer treats us to her beautifully lilting offerings; seamlessly fusing together traditional folk melodies and storytelling with sparkling electronic soundscapes.

Having been scheduled to play earlier in the morning, London-based Blue Bendy now take the afternoon time slot of Chalk, who weren’t able to make it up to Topcliffe in the end – something that front person Arthur Nolan playfully draws attention to by introducing the band as the absentees they’ve replaced: “Hi, we’re Chalk”. This playful, somewhat whimsical, attitude remains apparent as the set goes on; as the swirling, shimmering cacophonies created by the other five band members interweave with the seething raw emotion of Nolan’s vocals, a subtle tongue-in-cheek air lingers throughout. Oozing a stark, poetic realism with a droll charm, each fuzzy soundscape immerses the ever-growing crowd, and – personally (no offence to Chalk) – I’m glad of the band’s later time slot; it’s meant I’ve been able to watch their full set, nicely lubricated by a half of Brass Castle Sunshine IPA, and discover a new favourite band.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Picture Palour, and so am pretty excited to be able to catch them on the main stage whilst the sun continues to shine on this glorious Saturday afternoon. And they don’t disappoint. Oozing an alluring swagger as they take to the stage, the Manchester indie-rockers maintain this engaging confidence throughout the entirety of the set. Whilst front person Katherine Parlour’s vocals ripple with a smooth romanticism and crooner-level charm reminiscent of Tranquility Base era Alex Turner, with each offering they build with a soaring gritty splendour alongside fierce hooks from guitarist Ella Risi. One of the most charismatic stage presences I’ve witnessed for a long time, Parlour and co. deliver their epic, cinematic anthems to a captivated crowd, no doubt sparking adoration and inspiration in many young fans (and some old ones, like me).

I’m not sure why it’s taken me three years of coming to Deer Shed to visit to the Wilderwild stage, but I’m grateful to have discovered it in time to catch a gorgeous set from London-Cornwall songwriter Lily Lyons. With an endearing charm, each glistening offering flows with a lilting musicality as her soulful jazz-infued vocals resonate with an exquisite grace. With songs artfully inspired by Wendy Cope poems and Mark Rothko paintings, Lyons treats us to a blissfully uplifting thirty minutes.

After having a bit of a dance to the deep groove of Baba Ali as the duo emanate swathes of immense coolness, we stay under the cover of the In The Dock stage for Personal Trainer. Pretty much the opposite of the previous band, the seven members of the Dutch collective take to the stage in a flurry of frenzied energy. Complete with trumpet, saxophone and extra percussion, their quirky indie offerings combine twinkling harmonies with a gritty emo edge as front person Willem Smit writhes and bounces around the stage with a refreshing enthusiasm. With a vivacious spirit, the whole band ooze a swirling colourful chaos with each enlivening song, and I’m utterly transfixed by their jubilant charm.

BC Camplight offers a nice accompaniment to our vegan hot dogs before we head back into the In The Dock stage for London-based international band (and GIHE faves) Los Bitchos – one of the bands I’ve been most looking forward to seeing all weekend. Making their entrance to ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’, they go on to create a pretty heavenly atmosphere inside the jam-packed tent; emanating a swirling joyous charm and colourful charisma throughout. Propelled by racing melodies, funk-fuelled hooks and jangling rhythms, they treat us to “some oldies and some newbies”, their playful eccentricity and effervescent energy illuminating the intricately woven layers of sound. From epic drum offs to dancing together in sync, and from songs about Tequila to “penguins fluttering around on a beach”, Los Bitchos take us on a thrilling fun-filled journey; leading us to discover a rousing sonic euphoria we didn’t know we needed. 

All in all, a beautiful day of live music was had. Stay tuned for photos of, and words about, of Day 3 at Deer Shed, plus some special thoughts about the kids’ activities at the festival from next generation GIHE gal Orla….

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Paul Dawes / @GRNDglass

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LIVE (Photos): Deer Shed Festival, 2024 (Day 1, 26.07.2024)

Having fallen in love with Deer Shed when I attended for the first time back in 2022, and then going on to have another dreamy weekend at the North Yorkshire festival last year, I was very glad I got to go again this year. Highlighting a real family focus, whilst hosting a range of exciting new artists, it oozes the warmest of vibes and – being smaller in size than most other festivals – creates a space that feels comfortingly intimate; an inclusive safe haven for artists and fans of all genres and ages. Whilst providing a child-friendly environment, this does not take away from the quality and array of performances on offer for everyone to enjoy. Although I’d say I’m in the minority of attendees who does not have children (or isn’t a child themselves!), I in no way feel this to be hindrance – there’s still plenty of adult fun to be had, just in perhaps a slightly less intense, and more safe, environment than most other festivals. Which is no bad thing, in my opinion! 

Amongst those performing, a fantastic number of female, non binary and queer performers are represented, and I was lucky enough to catch lots of these over the weekend – a good balance of artists I already knew and loved, and those who I had not had the chance to see before.

After our seven and a half hour journey, and settling into our pre-pitched tent (a revelation saving so much time and energy that I will be doing it at every festival going forwards!), we make it to the main stage just in time to catch Liz Lawrence. A GIHE favourite and one of the first ever guests on our radio show, she combines a twinkling emotion with deep funk-fuelled hooks as her distinctive syrupy vocals narrate each reflective offering. From songs such as 2019’s ‘USP’ and ‘None Of My Friends’ to recent single ‘Strut’ (at the request of “the lad that said ‘can you play Strut for my mum?’”), and everything in between, a gritty splendour flows throughout, as the sun shines upon our first taste of live music of the weekend.

Next up, we head to the In The Dock state to witness the fierce power of OneDa. Declaring that “pussy power is a way of life”, she launches into a set of immense hip-hop infused drum ‘n’ bass anthems, all delivered with a ferocious swirling energy and seething passion. 

Following some tasty vegan gyoza, we wander over to The Lodge stage to catch some of the colourful “digital voodoo” of Nana Benz Du Togo. Emanating a majestic grace, as their voices and unique instruments combine to create uplifting anthems like ‘Liberty’ and ‘To Be Free’, their message remains clear throughout: as lyrics like “I wanna make my own decisions” resonate with a stirring poignancy, a deep empowering spirit oozes from the stage. Declaring that “women should be free to be what they want to be”, and describing their aim as being to “recover the place that our mothers lost to the patriarchal society”, Nana Benz deliver a wonderfully invigorating set; uniting the buoyant crowd in a resolute drive for change with a glistening joyous energy. 

To end the night, I swap from my usual position of spectator to ‘artist’… If you can call DJing that. Either way, I was on the In The Dock stage, playing tunes to a tent that ended up being full of people for the Silent Disco. Lurking in the shadows without being noticed is generally more my vibe, so needless to say I was quite nervous about it. But, despite the cursor key on my laptop deciding to stop working at just the wrong time, causing a few clunky ‘mixes’(and with most of my set clashing with Liverpool legends The Coral on the main stage), it was really lovely to see so many people dancing and singing along to the music I was playing. Noticing the number of young people who seemed to be enjoying it – making up dances with their friends and getting excited by certain songs – was particularly heartwarming, and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to do it. So, massive thanks and love to Deer Shed for letting me unleash my danceable queer tunes onto the crowd (and hopefully my laptop cursor won’t break next time!).

Stay tuned for photos of, and words about, of Days 2 & 3 at Deer Shed – including some special thoughts about the kids’ activities from next generation GIHE gal Orla….

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Paul Dawes / @GRNDglass

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LIVE: Circe – Electric Ballroom, Camden (22.07.24)

Bathed in blue light, dark-pop artist Circe slowly emerged on to the stage at the Electric Ballroom in Camden last week. Stood next to a solitary neon blue crucifix which glowed ominously throughout her set, the London-based musician opened with the effervescent sounds of ‘My Boy Aphrodite’; the repeated lyric “you do kill me, always thrill me” encapsulating the immersive, all-consuming quality of her live performance perfectly.

Supporting American band The Midnight on their recent UK and EU tour, Circe’s blend of dystopian-yet-euphoric dark-pop was the ideal accompaniment for their synth-wave sounds, proved by the packed venue full of the band’s fans who had turned up early to see the emerging artist. Performing a mixture of tracks from her debut EP, She’s Made Of Saints (2020) and her most recent release, Drawing Wings From The Light (2023), her seraphic vocals and cinematic synths oozed vividly through the speakers.

Even without her trademark visuals and backdrop – scattered bunches of artificial flowers reminiscent of Juliet’s tomb in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet, and a montage of footage from films and her own videos – Circe’s theatricality was still as potent as ever. Predominantly written and produced from her bedroom, the drama that underscores Circe’s songs translated beautifully into a more grandiose setting. The glossy, bass-drenched beats of ‘Going Down’ – a song about being infatuated with a cheerleader – hit much harder live, whilst the lucid, intoxicating synths on ‘Ten Girls’ – a song about fuckboys – dripped with defiance. She also treated listeners to a new track, ‘Heaven’s The Other Way’, packed with more of her shimmering electronics and emotive vocals.

It was the formidable sound of ‘Blue Love’, however, that was the true highlight of the set. Described by the artist as a hybrid of her influences, including Karen O and The Cure in their Disintegration era, Circe’s invite to “come take a shot at it / I’ll let you rot with it” dazzled the crowd. As she performed it, she confidently paced across the stage, raising her arms and gesturing to the sky, radiating confidence and true star quality.

Although she would later appear on stage again during The Midnight’s set, Circe closed her performance with ‘Riot Of Sunlight’. As she played her acoustic guitar, a euphoric rush of dizzying electronics swelled around her. Rapturous cheers and applause at the end of her set proved that Circe’s live charm is undeniable. Her neon dreams and cell-tingling dark-pop fantasies are truly best experienced in the flesh.

Follow Circe on Spotify, bandcamp, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter & Instagram

Photo Credit: Zak Watson

Kate Crudgington
@kate_crudge

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