Tag: new music

Having fallen in love with North Yorkshire festival Deer Shed when I attended for the first time last year, I was super glad I got to go again this year. Highlighting a real family focus, whilst hosting an incredible 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 (with an array of activities organised specifically for them), 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 – it is still very much an ‘adult’ festival, just one that happens to also be a safe and fun environment for kids to be in too! And, amongst those performing, a fantastic amount of female, non binary and queer performers are represented, which makes for a pretty dreamy time. 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.

Having settled into our pre-pitched tent (a revelation saving so much time and energy that I will be doing it at every festival going forwards!), our first taste of live music of the weekend comes from Bristol dancehall artist Grove. With an immense, swirling energy, they treat us to a unique fusion of “deep and dark” trip-hop with funk-fuelled UK Garage beats. From songs lusting after MILFs (“true pillars of society“) – a sentiment which goes down well with the child bearing crowd of Deer Shed – to raging anthems berating power-hungry landlords and the monarchy, Grove offers a perfectly riotous joy to kick off the weekend.

Back at the In The Dock stage (though I feel they could well have headlined the main stage), Dream Wife are as dreamy as always. Blasting into action with a blistering rendition of the title track of their latest album, Social Lubrication, they follow this with some older favourites – “Hey, Deer Shed“, front woman Rakel greets us, before spinning into the joyous allure of ‘Hey Heartbreaker’. Although I’ve seen Dream Wife live at least three times before (the most recent time being just a few weeks ago supporting the legendary Le Tigre), this is the first time I’ve seen them perform to an audience filled with children, and it really is quite special. As predominantly young girls fill the first few rows, bopping up and down either on their own accord, or on the shoulders of their parents, the sense of awe and wonder is palpable; Dream Wife exude such a magnetising power and grace, and for these children to have a band of women/non binary/queer folk to look up to, dance along with and potentially aspire to be is something that’s truly inspiring and wonderful. Not that it should be a novelty or unusual, but – as Rakel reflects (prompted by 7 year old Erin whose tooth has just fallen out, just like it did seeing the band two years ago) – “I wish I’d had a band like this when I was growing up“. Attempting to make their set “PG” (with just a couple of endearing and necessary slip-ups!), Dream Wife hail all the “Bad Witches’ in the room, as they sing of wanting to “Freak you out” with an immense, fun-filled charisma, and deliver the poignant message of ‘Somebody’ with even more stirring magnitude than usual. A true force to be reckoned with, unifying and immersing audiences of all ages and genders with their trademark blissful charm and captivating majesty. And then, a fantastic set is made even more memorable as GIHE fave Straight Girl makes a special guest appearance, swirling across the stage and into the crowd with their unique fierce energy.

So, thank you Deer Shed for another gorgeous weekend, I’ll see you again next year (not even holding it against you that I came back with Covid…)! Stay tuned for photos of, and words about, of Days 2 & 3!

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