Leeds student DJ crowned winner of national competition ahead of Kendal Calling appearance

A University of Leeds student from Rothwell is preparing for a major festival debut this weekend after being named the winner of a nationwide university DJ competition judged by producer and broadcaster Woody Cook.

Amy Morris, performing under the moniker AAMEE, beat out competition across seven major UK university unions to secure a performance slot alongside Cook at Kendal Calling this weekend.

The competition formed part of the Thatchers Cider Juicy Sounds: Fresh Press summer tour, which visited campuses in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton, Birmingham, London, and Cardiff to showcase emerging electronic music talent.

The victory comes just over twelve months after Morris first picked up a set of decks. Her path to the Kendal Calling lineup included a performance slot at Truck Festival as part of the competition’s heats.

Speaking on her national win, Amy said: “I was so excited when I heard I had won Thatchers Juicy Sounds competition! Having only got my first pair of decks just over a year ago, it was a huge achievement for me to have the chance to play at Truck Festival, and alongside Woody Cook at Kendal Calling this weekend.

“I’m super grateful to Thatchers Cider and Woody Cook for giving me this amazing opportunity.”

Praising the Rothwell DJ's winning set, Woody Cook highlighted her high-energy mixing style and selection: “Amy brings lively and joyful songs, played at high octane, keeping the vibes high for the entire set! The way her tracks play through one another is perfect and creates a fun, playful and unique vibration everyone can get down to.

“Breaking through as a DJ can be incredibly tough and opportunities to play in front of new audiences are everything. There is so much talent coming through universities right now, so being able to give someone the chance to play at a major festival like Kendal Calling is really exciting.”

The university search formed a central pillar of Cook’s summer schedule with Thatchers, performing sets from a custom hot-air balloon basket stage at festivals across the UK.

The DJ recently made headlines by remixing a forthcoming track, ‘Sunsets’ (featuring vocalist Brother Culture), while floating 2,000 feet above Somerset aboard the cider maker's hot-air balloon.

Emma Weber of Thatchers Cider added: “Music has been at the heart of the Juicy Sounds: Fresh Press tour and working with Woody has allowed us to create memorable experiences for festival goers, whilst also supporting emerging talent.

“We'd like to congratulate Amy on her well-deserved win and can't wait to see her perform alongside Woody at Kendal Calling this coming weekend.”