poppedmusic

Words: Elena Katrina

Deer Shed Festival – North Yorkshire – 28th-30th July 2023
Instagram//Lineup//Tickets

Now in its 13th year, Deer Shed makes a return to its home in Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire. Not only a music festival but one that really and truly looks after everyone. Got kids under 5 and worry how to keep them busy? Fear not, there is an entire programme tailored just for their needs – enough to keep them happy while you also get to experience some of the best of the best music. It’s not all nostalgia acts either, like some festivals that try to appeal to families. No, no, here you can expect to get some properly relevant acts and that’s why you’ll find us here this year. That and maybe the onsite sauna!

Our Picks
DREAM WIFE – FRIDAY – IN THE DOCK STAGE

Having recently released their third album, “Social Lubrication“, Dream Wife are no stranger to a festival site, in fact, I’ve seen them play so many now that I’ve lost count. Regardless of how many times, they are always a highlight and in some cases I can remember parts of specific sets years on. This all tells me that they were the go-to recommendation for Friday night at Deer Shed. Welcome to the world of Dream Wife; with their no-holds-barred attitude, and their ability to each command the stage, there almost feels like there is no one frontperson here. Alice slices the atmosphere with her slick guitar licks, Bella plays bass as if they are wrestling a shark and shows it just who is boss and Rakel, temps and teases and commands in every which way – she asks you to jump, you jump, no questions asked. With their punk tendencies though, you can expect some trickier subject matters for the little ones (but if you’re not teaching anti-patriarchy, like me to my 2-year-old, then what are you even doing?) and of course some not-so-kid-friendly language – but regardless, they’re still very much ones to watch, even for the kids. Expect a high-octane set, bursting with angst and electric energy, which will leave you wanting more. I spy with my little eye, bad bitches, Dream Wife For Life.

Listen to Dream Wife here:

PANIC SHACK – SATURDAY – MAIN STAGE

Cardiff’s Panic Shack are a band I’ve yet to see but have been waiting to, longing to, so I’ve included them in our ones to watch purely on the hype rather than our experience of seeing them live before. I feel so confident that it’s going to be brilliantly chaotic and like a musical slap in the face. It’s not the first time that Panic Shack have made it as one of our festival Ones To Watch either (our Gary has seen them!). If you have a hangover from Friday night then let Panic Shack wake and shake you the heck up. There’s a real fun feel to their fast-paced rock, lyrically it’s not too dense, they don’t appear to be here to spread deep or political messages – “and I’ll spin you round cos I fucking told you, I do jiu jits you bitch”. Give “Jiu Jits You” a listen and see if you, like me, get a headache just thinking about headbanging and jumping around to this for literally one second shy of three minutes. Then there’s the hilarious lyrics to their most listened-to Spotify track “The Ick”. Get busy learning all the lyrics, you’re going to want to sing along. I can’t wait!

Listen to Panic Shack here:

PET SNAKE – SUNDAY – LODGE STAGE

Otherwise known as Evelyn Halls, one part of Liverpool’s Clean Cut Kid, Pet Snake made her debut into the world all alone and with a DIY aesthetic that isn’t just an aesthetic but almost more of a religion. Working from her home studio, Pet Snake has worked with friends to create beautifully stripped-back sounds with guitar work that sings but still perfectly showcases the crystal clear qualities of the vocals. Then there’s wonderfully quirky and honest artwork and videos. If you ever want to really see into the mind of a singer-songwriter, warts and all, then give her a follow on Instagram – be prepared to be told off if you don’t vote for her to win festival slots – she sees you.

Listen to Pet Snake here:

Listen to the Deer Shed Offical Playlist here: