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Jul 21, 2025 By Dom Gourlay Web Exclusive

It’s that time of year again when the kids break up from school for the summer holidays, and Deer Shed Festival opens its doors for one of the UK festival calendar’s most eagerly anticipated events.

The 2025 event will be the festival’s 15th edition, and as with previous years the line-up is jam packed with both established and rising stars from the worlds of music, comedy, theatre, performance art, literature, spoken word and much more besides.

Returning to its now familiar home of Battersby Park in the North Yorkshire countryside over the weekend of Friday 25th - Monday 28th July, this year sees up and coming Cornish four-piece Wunderhorse headline on Friday,musician and poet Kae Tempest tops the bill on Saturday, with indiepop outfit The Big Moon closing the festival on Sunday night.

Aside from the headliners, there’s a wealth of talent spread across Deer Shed’s many stages so here’s 10 other acts Under the Radar are most looking forward to seeing.

BENEFITS

(Sunday 27th, In The Dock Stage)

From being a punter at Deer Shed Festival 3 years ago to finally playing it, Kingsley Hall and Benefits have released one of 2025’s definitive albums in the shape of Constant Noise. The follow-up to 2023’s Nails, Constant Noise pushes Benefits’ sound in an even more electronic direction while the live shows are no less visceral or intense, making their set one of the weekend’s “must see” events.

BIG SPECIAL

(Sunday 27th, In The Dock Stage)

One of the hottest tickets in town right now, Birmingham’s Big Special fuse visceral punk rock with beats that have eyes fixed firmly between the industrial raves of the early nineties. While also rallying against the current political and social climate, Big Special’s second album National Average came out earlier this month to a wave of critical acclaim and their Sunday night headline slot In The Dock promises to be one of the hottest, and sweatiest affairs this weekend.

BODEGA

(Sunday 27th, Main Stage)

Channeling the spirit of Talking Heads, Devo and Blondie (among a host of others) into a sound completely unique of their own, New York quintet BODEGA make post-punk people can dance to. Or rather, find it impossible to stand still. With a sizable UK audience that more than matches the one they have back home in the States, thanks in no small part to 3 critically acclaimed albums and a live show that simply demands your attention. BODEGA are ready to slay Deer Shed.

DILETTANTE

(Friday 25th, In The Dock Stage)

Dilettante describe themselves as “an art pop collective hailing from all corners of the north.” Which is as good a starting point as any. However, it doesn’t quite fulfil the total grandiosity of their wares, which has been compared to artists as disparate as Wild Beasts, Carly Simon and Pulp. Essentially the brainchild of Manchester-based multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Francesca Pidgeon, who also plays in BC Camplight’s band. Make sure you arrive early on Friday to catch Dilettente opening the In The Dock Stage. You won’t regret it.

IDLEWILD

(Sunday 27th, Main Stage)

I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t own at least one Idlewild record, so their appearance at Deer Shed promises to be one of this year’s most eagerly anticipated sets. Having recently announced their tenth album Idlewild will be coming out in October, expect to hear a mix of new material alongside familiar classics from the band’s impeccable back catalogue.

MANDRAKE HANDSHAKE

(Sunday 27th, Main Stage)

Combining influences that range from traditional psychedelic rock and folk to latin American jazz, Krautrock inspired motorik grooves and dream pop, Mandrake Handshake are a melting pot of sonic explorers that take you on a journey to here knows when. With members from their nine-strong ensemble based in Oxford and London respectively, their otherworldly sound is a joy to behold and one we guarantee will have Baldersby Park enraptured.

MARUJA

(Saturday 26th, In The Dock Stage)

Manchester four-piece Maruja have emerged as one of the most exciting bands on the UK live circuit in recent years. Having originally formed a decade ago - albeit with a very different musical outlook - they found their niche during the Covid-19 lockdown and have put out a string of excellent EPs since, culminating in the band’s debut album Pain To Power which is due for release in September. We have a feeling Maruja’s potent mix of hardcore, noise, post-punk and mathrock might just be one of the weekend’s stand out sets.

THE BUG CLUB

(Sunday 27th, Main Stage)

The Bug Club are no strangers to Deer Shed having first played here back in 2022, where their Sunday teatime slot wowed a jam packed In The Dock Stage. So, it’s no surprise that their return to the festival sees them elevated to a prime slot on the Main Stage, albeit in place of Sprints who pulled out last week. With four albums to their name including the most recent long player Very Human Features which came out last month, expect a career spanning set from another band with a very impressive back catalogue.

THE SICK MAN OF EUROPE

(Saturday 26th, In The Dock Stage)

London-based artist The Sick Man Of Europe makes music that could easily soundtrack a bleak landscape. Reference points include Joy Division, Swans, Bauhaus and Suicide while lead single “Obsolete” off his recently released self-titled debut LP which came out last month on the Leaf Label possesses a timeless feel in that it could easily have emerged at any point over the previous 5 decades. Expect a set that doesn’t pull any punches but delivers its message succinctly and to the point.

THE UNTHANKS

(Saturday 26th, Lodge Stage)

With 20 years as live performers and 12 albums to their name, The Unthanks are one of the most established and respected acts on this year’s line-up. Having emerged via the UK folk scene back in the early 2000s, The Unthanks have never been afraid to introduce different genres and styles to an already eclectic mix of ideas. Their most recent long player In Winter came out last year to a wave of critical acclaim, so it represents something of a major coup for Deer Shed to have them play. Particularly in the intimate confines of the Lodge Stage.

For more information on Deer Shed Festival including how and where to purchase tickets visit the Official Website

Read about Under the Radar’s previous visits to Deer Shed Festival in 2022, 2023 and 2024.