It’s nearly time for us to gather again in the wild and spectacular deer park, as the fourth edition of Black Deer Festival gets ready to open our doors to you.
How have you been? We hope 2023 is treating you well and you’re ready to share our greatest Americana adventure yet! The line-up of roots music legends, pioneers and emerging heroes speaks for itself, but what about all the other wonderful experiences you can enjoy with your friends and family in the deer park? Download the brand new Black Deer Festival App to keep up-to-date with everything that’s going on. We thought we could also give you a little nudge and shine a light on some of the things happening that we don’t want you, our loyal community, to miss.
So, with that in mind, we’ve put together a handy list of must-see activities for you to get ready for. And if you’re a Black Deer regular, why not share this list with friends to entice them to join you at the UK’s best new festival… see you in the deer park.
HARLEY DAVIDSON CELEBRATES 120TH ANNIVERSARY
We couldn’t be more thrilled to be welcoming Harley Davison back to Black Deer and The Roadhouse. A truly iconic brand that represents the wild and free Americana way of life, Harley and Black Deer is a match made in motorcycle heaven. 2023 is the year the brand revved up for its 120th anniversary and they’ll be bringing some special hardware with them to celebrate – including ‘Jumpstart’, a machine that holds a Harley in place on rollers, allowing you to go through the gears safe in the knowledge that you’re fixed in position… and no licence is needed!
ARKANSAS PORCH SESSIONS
A real 2022 highlight, The Arkansas Porch Sessions are back this summer. Artists Willie Carlisle, Dylan Earl and Jude Brothers return, alongside Arkansas polymath Bonnie Montgomery. With sets scheduled throughout the day, and delivered live and unplugged from the porch, expect storytelling, songs and sheer artistry from these authentic roots heroes of Americana. Listen to them all with our Official Arkansas 2023 Playlist.
CHILLI-PEPPER EATING COMPETITION
Can you stand the heat? The Live Fire Arena is always a popular deer park destination and 2023 will be no different with the fabulous array of chefs and cooking demonstrations on offer throughout the weekend. It won’t get any hotter than at 4pm on Saturday, when the Clifton Chilli Club takes over the arena for their crazy chilli-pepper eating competition. The last person standing is the winner! Sign-up at the side of the Live Fire stage to compete…
DAMIAN LEWIS ALBUM SIGNING
We’re partial to a Hollywood superstar at Black Deer. In our first year we welcomed the roots rock of actor-turned-musician Kiefer Sutherland, while in more recent times we have loved sets from country music icon Kris Kristofferson and Hollywood newcomer Jessie Buckley. In 2023 we welcome Damian Lewis to our line-up, who will be releasing his debut album ‘Mission Creep’ on the day he plays in the deer park (Friday)! The star singer/songwriter is so excited to be joining you all at Black Deer, that he will be signing copies of the new record at Black Deer’s Official Merchandise Concession (download the App for more details).
GOSPEL BRUNCH
Sunday isn’t a day of rest at Black Deer, it’s a day for great food and righteous music! Our famous Gospel Brunch opens up Live Fire on Sunday morning at 11am, with uplifting songs, waffles and maple syrup… and it’s all free of charge! It was The Times who said “… The Gospel Brunch on Sunday is already an institution” and we’re sure you’ll agree. Say “Amen” somebody!
THE SONGWRITER SESSIONS (SATURDAY)
A unique opportunity for festival-goers to experience the stories behind the songs of some of their favourite artists, The Songwriter Sessions offer a Nashville-style songwriters’ pull with tunes and tales in a different environment. All these shows have proved unmissable across the years and 2023 will be no different. But we’re even more excited than usual about Saturday’s session (Noon, The Ridge) with Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah, Kyshona, Tami Neilson, Angeline Morrison and Simeon Hammond Dallas all lined-up to tell their truth to you. Don’t miss it…
