An a-maze-ing weekend

Yet another super weekend spent at Deer Shed Festival at Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire. The organisers always manage to put together a varied mix of predominantly new acts full of energy. Then for the following weeks I get to relive the musical experience from some of the curiously synchronised playlists of BBC 6 Music.

My writer wife Lucy sums up the three day event far better than I can:

The theme for this year’s Deer Shed festival was ‘into the labyrinth’ - a motif reflected by the huge maze built by organisers that families eagerly tackled over the three day extravaganza. But the only thing revellers at Baldersby Park truly got lost in was the music. 

With another eclectic line-up, Deer Shed’s 16th edition served up performers from across the musical spectrum. 

Friday’s schedule jumped from Deadletter’s snarling guitars to Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s unique violin-backed sound and Say She She’s sublime headline vocals, via powerful rap from Murkage Dave.

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Saturday ramped up the energy. Birmingham trio Gans demanded a mosh pit to accompany their raw drums, guitar and flute - and they got it, with a side of crowd surfing.

Manchester rapper OneDa - stepping up to the main stage after her previous Deer Shed appearance - asked the crowd to feed her energy and they happily obliged, shouting back catch phrases and lyrics.

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Much anticipated headliner Sleaford Mods brought gritty realism - and expletives - with their pared back sound, raising arms as well as smiles thanks to vocalist Jason Williamson’s to-the-point delivery and commentary (“are those fish and chips any good?” he asked, while pointing to a food truck).

This, alongside a secret set from Welsh punks Panic Shack - gloriously singing about friends, lip gloss and “getting the ick” - and a triumphant return from London collective Fat Dog kept the crowds bouncing into the evening.

Sunday brought more sunshine - and the odd early shower - along with Scottish folk from Brògeal, indie pop from Brighton based Lime Garden, joyful South African beats from Soweto supergroup BCUC and comedy sing alongs from Adam Buxton and his band.

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Getdown Services did as their name suggests, filling the dance floor with their infectious, raucous set, which featured crisps, heckling, bare chests and fart noises - and provided the perfect precursor to headliners, Everything Everything.

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of their last Deer Shed appearance - and album Get To Heaven - the final act delighted the crowd with their magical, melodious performance.

@DeerShed @TheNorthernEcho @DandSTimes @SaySheShe @sleafordmods @E_E_ @mwcband_ @murkagedave @panicshack @GetdownServices @limegardenband @BCUCband @FATDOGBAND