After Black Deer Festival‘s hugely successful first venture into the world of the summer music festival back on 22nd – 24th June, read our ★★★★★ review here, we’re massively excited to announce the first run of bands confirmed for 2019’s line-up, details of what to expect, and how you can book tickets NOW!

As a little background info, Black Deer Festival won Best New Festival at the Association Of Independent Festival Awards but they were also nominated for more, and richly deserved on our experience. Co-founded by Gill and Debs, it returns to the stunning setting of Eridge Deer Park in Kent. This equally chilled out and vibrant celebration of the culture of Americana and Country offered up a long weekend like none-other in the UK and so we’re expecting even bigger and better things in 2019 from 21st – 23rd June….

Globally revered act Band Of Horses are confirmed as the first headliner for 2019.  The South Carolina-based band have released 5 studio albums and are responsible for many of the last decade’s much-loved singles, including ‘The Funeral’, ‘Marry Song’, ‘Detlef Schrempf’ and ‘No One’s Gonna Love You’.  Formed and led by the irrepressibly charismatic frontman Ben Bridwell, Band Of Horses are a rough and ready, boisterous, live proposition who garner true adoration from their legion of fans and this will be an unmissable headline slot.

Australian roots, rock heroes, the John Butler Trio have been together for two decades and their particular brand of alternative rock and bluegrass has sold them multi platinum albums and won them multiple awards.  This is a rare UK show for the John Butler Trio and their live shows are stirring, emotional affairs.

Soulful with a punk edge, Northumberland’s Jade Bird has marked her out as a crossover star.  With performances on Later With Jools Holland and the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in the US, Bird has been hotly tipped by a plethora of music titles including Rolling Stone.  Her set at Black Deer is sure to be an ‘I was there’ moment for years to come.

There will also be Canadians The Dead South, noted for their bluegrass and hillbilly folk and distinctive dress code, and Nashville based Atlanta born sisters Larkin Poe with their riff heavy blues-rock and southern harmonies.

Ryan Bingham is the real deal – raised in a roadhouse brothel in New Mexico he was riding rodeo south of the Mexican frontier by the age of five.  He has graduated to be the poster boy for American Roots music and winning an Oscar, a Grammy and a Golden Globe. Grammy winning folk musician and guitarist in the Old Crow Medicine Show, Chance McCoy will also perform.

Oakland’s very own NPR Tiny Desk Concert contest winner Fantastic Negrito will be bringing his own blend of black roots music whilst Hayseed Dixie will entertain festival fans with bluegrass covers of rock songs from the likes of AC/DC, Black Sabbath, KISS and Motorhead.

The folkier side of Americana is showcased by Devon star John Smith, critically-acclaimed Martin Harley takes care of the roots and blues sound along with 17-time-Blues-Music-Award-nominee Watermelon Slim, whilst fiddle playing showman Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys will give fans a lesson on how things are done Canadian style!

Compelling duo and incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists, the sublime Worry Dolls present a beautiful set, whilst Irish Mythen’s incredible voice,  underpinned by her country, roots and folk influence, will be heard throughout the weekend, along with rising star of Australian country and blues, singer-songwriter William Crighton, the raw and distinctive sounds of Bob Harris endorsed Morganway, will also perform and completes the first wave of names to be announced with many more to follow.

Also, it’s very important to mention that the excellent Live Fire returns to Black Deer Festival in style with their mouth watering array of country culinary delights in tow. Bigger than before, Live Fire is set to be a soul food lovers’ heaven, as festival goers can watch the BBQ world’s best chefs, pitmasters, butchers and woodsmen work their magic, spreading the gospel of American BBQ. With a Smokehouse Cooking Cookout Competition, Food Demos, Gospel Brunch, Renowned Chefs in tow,  Vegetarian & Vegan Campfires and Craft Beer, there really is something for everyone’s tastes.

Want a little insight of what to expect? Click here to read our review of the festival and book now: https://blackdeerfestival.com/tickets