Deer Shed Festival And EMI North Seek Emerging Artists For 2026 Lineup

North Yorkshire's Deer Shed Festival has reopened its 'Apply to Play' artist development programme in partnership with EMI North, offering emerging musicians the chance to perform at this summer's event.

Open to artists based in the North of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the programme particularly welcomes applications from under-represented backgrounds and the Global majority. Winners will receive a paid performance slot at Deer Shed 2026 — alongside Sleaford Mods, Everything Everything and Fat Dog among others — plus mentorship sessions with the EMI North team and guestlist places for friends and family.

EMI North, established in Leeds in 2023 as the UK's first major label office outside London, said previous winners had gone on to secure agency deals, label signings and appearances at festivals including Green Man and The Great Escape.

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 2nd April. The selection panel includes Scott Lewis from EMI North, Deer Shed Festival Director Megan Evans and Roman Tagoe, Director of Streaming at Chrysalis Records.

Further details and the application form are available at deershedfestival.com/emi.aspx.