Two Day Festival announced for Tobacco Dock in October.
The people who brought fans the Black Deer Festival in Eridge Park have turned their attention to London with the announcement of “Black Deer In the City“. Launching in partnership with Tobacco Dock this autumn, the two-day celebration, 25–26th October, should bring the spirit of Americana right to the heart of East London. A hybrid of the original festival and the Black Deer Live shows, “Black Deer In the City” will offer a weekend of Americana music, southern-style food and laid-back vibes, all set against the industrial charm of one of London’s most iconic event spaces.
Over 50 artists will perform across three stages, including Black Deer Live, Haley’s Bar, and the Roadhouse (curated by London’s Desertscene), bringing Black Deer’s signature blend of Americana to the Big Smoke. The first wave of artists will be announced at the end of May. As well as the usual high musical standards, other Black Deer familiars will also be there – Live Fire will be hosting flame-cooked BBQ demos from celebrated chefs and pitmasters across the weekend, as well as chilli and hot dog eating contests for those who dare to take part. Multiple bars, street food, fashion shows and even a tattoo parlour will all be in residence, with more to be announced.
Managing Director of Black Deer Live Ltd, Chris Russell-Fish, said, “The launch of Black Deer Live and Black Deer Radio last summer allowed us to bring Americana music to a wider audience while supporting both established and emerging artists, a core part of our ethos. With a growing radio audience and now the launch of Black Deer In The City, we’re excited to offer fans the spirit of our festival through this new format. We’re thrilled to partner with Tobacco Dock for this next chapter and can’t wait to welcome both loyal fans and new faces into the Black Deer community.”
Black Deer co-founder and Creative Director Gill Tee also commented: “We are so excited to launch Black Deer In the City, bringing you all the ethos and authenticity of the Black Deer Festival to London. We will focus on delivering to our wonderful community the music we love — raw, heartfelt Americana, together with its sub-cultures that will blend together to make this event so special. We couldn’t be prouder to partner with Tobacco Dock, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to this amazing space in October.” Patrick Donovan, Chairman of Tobacco Dock, adds: “As our venue continues to evolve as a hub for community, culture and live entertainment, we’re delighted to be hosting Black Deer in the City. This ground-breaking Americana weekend will set the scene for a diverse programme of music-led events staged within our beautiful heritage building.”
To date, five Black Deer festivals have taken place at Eridge Park, Kent, which has seen a wealth of artists perform, including such names as Steve Earle, Sheryl Crow, Wilco, The Pretenders, Van Morrison, Jason Isbell and many, many more. During the past ten months, Black Deer Live shows have taken place with over 50 artists at key grassroots music venues across the UK. In July 2024, Black Deer launched its own 24 hours a day Americana radio station.
Entry prices for the festival start at £84 (plus booking fee) for general day tickets. Weekend tickets and VIP are also available, but numbers are limited. For more information, to book tickets and to keep up to date on event news, including artist announcements follow this link.
Here’s a little teaser video:
