Organisers of the independently run Black Deer Festival have announced that the event will not take place next year due to rising production costs and general economic conditions, but plans are being made for a return in 2026.

Earlier this year, Black Deer co-founder Gill Tee and its MD Chris Russell-Fish launched Black Deer Live, encompassing a live show touring programme and branded digital radio station. He said that the focus now is on 44 scheduled Black Deer Live shows, and there are new ideas in the pipeline including the development of the Black Deer Americana one-day festival.

Black Deer was co-founded by Gill Tee and Deborah Shilling in 2018. The event attracted 5,000 people in its first year and 10,000 the following year, with that capacity then maintained. The festival takes place at Eridge Park, Kent, which is owned by Christopher Nevill the Marquess of Abergavenny. With a focus on Americana, the event has seen headline performances by acts including The Pretenders, Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison.

In November 2023 it was announced that Brighton-based concert promoter and event organiser JOY. Concerts was to take over the full delivery of Black Deer, including the full event management, programming, technical production and marketing.

On the festival being postponed until 2026, Tee said, “We are so proud to have built one of the most wonderful festival communities over the past years – a community with a passion and love for Americana that matched ours. We are so very proud of all we have achieved to this point, it’s been a real journey and it’s not over yet.”

Tee features in the AAA Backstage podcast with an interview that sees her provide insight into her fascinating career path that led her to co-founding Black Deer, the impact of losing her brother at such a young age, showering Neil Young, and how she has successfully carved out a career in an industry shockingly short of female festival bosses.

Last week, the Association of Independent Festivals reported that 72 UK festivals have announced a postponement, cancellation or complete closure in 2024 – double the amount that fell in 2023.

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