Deer Shed Festival’s spoken word and literary line-up will see a panel discussing arts in the North: The North Will Rise Again?

The North Will Rise Again? brings together a group of prominent people involved in the arts to tackle topics surrounding the cultural differences between England’s North and South. BBC Leeds presenter, screenwriter, playwright and theatre critic at large for the Yorkshire Post, Nick Ahad; Labour MP and Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham; poet, comedian, and writer, Kate Fox; The Unthanks’ Adrian McNally; and ex-Kenickie member and Arts Council guru, Marie Nixon will be going head-to-head under the watchful eye of Guardian journalist Dave Simpson as they debate hot topics such as: What has changed about the Northern cultural scene in the past decade? Are arts in the North given the same exposure as in the South? And can Northern culture act as a foundation to build a stronger North?

As well taking part in the panel, Kate Fox will be performing her own brilliant spoken word which encompasses satirical poems covering every topic from running to politics. Working towards a PhD in Northernness and Performance, Kate Fox is as insightful and thought-provoking as she is entertaining.

Fox will also be hosting a chat with the inimitable Hollie McNish about McNish’s latest book Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood. This is the book that sees McNish tackle the taboo topics of parenthood and pregnancy in her unique, unconstrained poetic style. Her readings are not to be missed; as Benjamin Zephaniah stated: ‘I can’t take my ears off her’.

Dave Simpson will also be staying at the Deer Shed Festival, as he will be hosting an interview with The Undertones bassist Michael “Mickey” Bradley. Bradley will be answering questions about his autobiography Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone which documents his incredible life in one of the UK’s most fondly remembered post punk bands.

On the topic of fondly remembered post punk bands, The Fall’s Brix Smith Start will be talking to Dave Simpson (author of The Fall’s biography The Fallen: Life In and Out of Britain's Most Insane Group) about her memoir The Rise, The Fall and The Rise. Smith-Start’s autobiography tells her extraordinary journey from the cover of theNMEto waitressing in California, via the industrial wasteland of 1980’s Manchester.

Michael Burdett is bringing his award winning one hour retelling of one man’s journey around Britain with a camera and a lost  Nick Drake recording which he recovered from the bottom of a skip. Humorous, poignant, and endlessly entertaining, this is guaranteed to enthral audiences. Philosophy PhD, Nick Wilsher, will be discussing the philosophy of film as he tries to get to the bottom of mind-bending questions such as: If you’re really scared of horror films, why don't you run out of the cinema? Join him as he – and the audience – discuss film and our role as an audience.

The Deer Shed Festival children’s literary line-up is stronger and more varied than ever. Kjartan Poskitt – the well-loved and bestselling author of many hilarious books for children including Agatha Parrot, Borgon the Axeboy and the Murderous Maths series – will be bringing his fun-filled Murderous Maths show to Deer Shed this year. With a background in children’s television, he is a tireless and brilliant performer.

Stephen Pass will be reading from his excellent book Madge the Mermaid about a mermaid created from recycled materials. He will also show how he made his book and be reading a selection of poetry. Whilst Katie Harnett will be reading from her book Archie Snufflekins Oliver Valentine Cupcake Tiberius Cat which is all about one extraordinary cat and his effect on the community around him. Harnett will also be running cat workshops.

With their brand new Bedtime Stories tent, they will be introducing comfiest, cosiest festival storytelling experience ever. Joining festival favourites Lorna Mallet, and Pip Theatre is local children’s author, Miss Trout, who twists classic fairy tales into something refreshingly different. With unbounded creativity and refreshingly nerve-jangling villains, Miss Trout turns storytelling into an art. Mud Pie Arts,on the other hand, will need you the audience to help them build characters, plot, and settings to create the ultimate interactive storytelling experience for the whole family. Weave words, create worlds, and let your imagination run wild!

TICKET PRICE STRUCTURE (inclusive of booking fees)

3rd tier adult full weekend ticket (16+) £135 Available

4th tier adult full weekend ticket (16+) £145 Not released

Child full weekend ticket (6 to 15) £45

Child full weekend ticket (3 to 5) £10

Child full weekend ticket (0 to 2) Free

Sunday night camping per tent/live-in vehicle £50

(Only valid for holders of full weekend tickets)