Leeds Conservatoire students, and soon-to-be graduates, are set to perform and complete paid work placements at Deer Shed Festival as part of a new partnership.
Deer Shed is a three day wonderland of music, comedy, arts, science, theatre and sport for all ages, set in beautiful North Yorkshire parkland. Headline acts for this year’s festival, taking place from 25 to 28 July, are Wunderhorse, Kae Tempest and The Big Moon.
Joining them on the line-up are artists from the conservatoire’s undergraduate Songwriting and postgraduate Music programmes.
Rifka has a natural gift for songwriting, exploring the depths of her own emotions and the complexities of growing up in the modern world. With her raw vulnerability, Rifka’s arrival to the music scene offers an invitation to dive deep into the soulful, melancholic and curious world of a young woman with her eyes wide open. Follow @rifkafishereustance on Instagram.
Mate Eric P.M describes himself as “a songwriter and musical artist with Autism,” citing influences including Syd Barrett and Sebadoh. His music is varied in genres, but is mostly experimental. He aims to advocate for inclusiveness in society, whilst offering an immersive musical experience, and has played at several live events tailored towards disabled people. He has released three albums, two singles, and an EP which can be found on Bandcamp.
James Warrender, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise at Leeds Conservatoire, said, “We are proud to partner with Deer Shed Festival. At Leeds Conservatoire we actively collaborate with industry-leading partners to enhance the learning experience and give our students and alumni opportunities to perform, make connections and boost their employability.”
Harriet McBain, Festival Manager at Deer Shed, said, “Deer Shed Festival is thrilled to announce an exciting, new partnership with Leeds Conservatoire. This collaboration will provide real-work placements and performance opportunities, nurturing promising talent from the North. We can’t wait to work together to provide such valuable experiences for students at a leading northern festival.”
On the artists selected to perform, Megan Evans, Festival Director at Deer Shed, added, “The quality and volume of applications was incredibly high, showcasing immense northern talent. We're delighted to welcome Rifka and Mate Eric P.M to our line-up—two standout artists who embody creativity and promise. This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to nurturing emerging artists and we very much look forward to them performing at Deer Shed this summer.”
