Bedecked in everything from Stetsons and cowboy boots to cool Boho-chic, more than 10,000 fans flocked to the Black Deer Festival at Eridge Park last weekend to immerse themselves in the music, food and storytelling of Americana…
Friday’s headliner, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats delivered a blistering performance on the Black Deer Stage, and both Hollywood star Damian Lewis, and Far From Saints delighted the crowds with performances of tracks from their new albums. They were joined on Friday by the likes of Kurt Vile and the Violators, Midlake, Jamie Wyatt, Grace Petrie and Bonnie Light Horseman.
A highlight of the Saturday line-up was the iconic Bonnie Raitt, who peppered her set with her classic tunes and some surprise covers, including INXS’ ‘Need You Tonight’.
Closing the main stage was legendary rock band The Pretenders, who packed their set with hits from the past five decades, including ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’ and ‘I’ll Stand By You’.
The final day of Black Deer kicked off with the breathtaking Gospel Brunch. Elsewhere, Lukas Nelson & POTR stunned the crowd as he paid homage to his dad, Willie Nelson, by performing his 1980 track ‘Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground’.
Richard Hawley closed an incredible weekend of music with an eclectic, genre-spanning performance.
Black Deer co-founders Deb Shilling and Gill Tee said: “We can’t thank our wonderful audience enough for making the fourth edition of Black Deer Festival the best yet. Our dedicated team of staff, crew, suppliers and volunteers give this festival the unique aura we are proud to possess, and we can’t thank them all enough for the commitment and courage they bring to the festival.”
