Deer Shed Festival offers paid slot on 2025 line-up via ‘Apply To Play’ emerging talent call-out
The event and the EMI North label have joined forces with “a shared vision on platforming Northern talent” The post Deer Shed Festival offers paid slot on 2025 line-up via ‘Apply To Play’ emerging talent call-out appeared first on NME.

Deer Shed Festival has offered a paid slot on its 2025 line-up for emerging talent, and it is now taking applications.
Read more: Deer Shed Festival 2022 review: Yard Act and Self Esteem lead the New Yorkshire revolution
The North Yorkshire-based music festival, which is taking place from July 25 to 28 at Baldersby Park, will be headlined by Wunderhorse and The Big Moon. Other names on the line-up for Deer Shed Festival 2025 are Moonchild Sanelly, Anthony Szmierek, Big Special and spoken word artist Kae Tempest.
The festival has now announced the return of its ‘Apply to Play’ artist development programme, with new partners EMI North. It is now accepting applications from artists exclusively based in the North and welcomes applications from artists from under-represented backgrounds.
Leeds-based EMI North is the UK’s first major label office to be based outside of London and it focuses solely on championing talent from the North. The winners of the ‘Apply To Play’ programme will receive a series of mentorship and advice sessions from the EMI North Team alongside a paid performance slot at Deer Shed 2025.
“Through this artist development callout, we’re offering emerging artists the chance to grow their craft, expand their audience, and create something truly special,” said Deer Shed’s director Megan Evans. “We’re committed to providing both the creative and practical support necessary to propel these artists into the future of music. We can’t wait to hear what’s next and to showcase these fresh, authentic voices.”
Applications for the programme close on April 14. Find out more about Deer Shed, buy tickets, and apply to the ‘Apply To Play’ programme here.
Deer Shed 2025 will be the festival’s 15th edition. In 2022 NME gave the North Yorkshire festival a four-star review, commending it for its “supportive atmosphere” and family-friendly but fun ethos. The 2022 edition welcomed the likes of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, John Grant, and Self Esteem.
The post Deer Shed Festival offers paid slot on 2025 line-up via ‘Apply To Play’ emerging talent call-out appeared first on NME.