At CountryMusic.co.uk, we’ve long championed the rise of Americana in the UK, and few events have captured its spirit quite like Black Deer Festival. Now, with the launch of Black Deer In The City, the team behind the award-winning Kent weekender is bringing that same heart, grit and community to London’s Tobacco Dock on 25–26 October. The result is a bold new urban celebration, packed with exclusive performances, immersive experiences and a lineup that reads like a love letter to roots music.
“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,” said Chris Russell-Fish, Managing Director of Black Deer Live Ltd. “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.”
UK Debuts and Exclusive Performances
Flying in from the States for their first-ever UK show, Detroit’s The Gasoline Gypsies will bring their high-octane blend of rock, folk, bluegrass and country to the main stage on Sunday. With eight Detroit Music Awards under their belt, they’re known for tight musicianship and a sound that’s as soulful as it is electrifying.

Joining them are London’s own The Motherz, who will deliver a heavy blues and desert rock set on the Roadhouse stage, curated by Desertscene. Think Sabbath swagger meets Wolfmother grit, raw, loud and unapologetically fierce.
Saturday’s headliner, American Aquarium, makes their only UK appearance of the year. Frazey Ford’s soulful set will also be a UK exclusive. Sunday closes with Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, following a performance from country favourites The Wandering Hearts.
New Stages, Fresh Sounds
The Half Moon in Putney will curate The Emporium’s acoustic stage, hosting intimate sets from Maya Lane (recently interviewed at BST Hyde Park), Nathan O’Regan, Gina Larner, Naomi Campbell, Jonny Morgan, Cara Hammond, Beau Bennett and Charlotte Carpenter. The Emporium will also celebrate Americana style, with daily catwalks, styling talks from hat designer Vera Black, and prizes for best dressed attendees.
The Dance Hall will make its Black Deer debut, offering cowboy cha-cha and country swing lessons, Americana Bingo and group line dancing. Curated by Lynsey Shaw, the stage will also feature performances from Lynsey and The Lucky Strikes, along with Steve Young and Nashville Nights, who have been selling out venues across the UK.
Full Artist Line-Up Highlights
The weekend’s roster is stacked with talent, including:
- Ferris & Sylvester
- Alabama 3 Acoustic (of The Sopranos fame)
- Kyshona (UK exclusive)
- Sam Outlaw and Hannah Aldridge (UK exclusives)
- Lilly Hiatt, Michele Stodart, The Picturebooks
- My Girl The River, Willa May, Isabella Coulstock
- Jack Browning (interview), Ben Jordan, Lauren Housley & The Northern Cowboys
- Black Orchids, Mike West, Dead Lettuce
- Toby Lee (UK Blues Hall of Fame, UK Americana Emerging Artist 2025)
- Robert Vincent (UK Americana Song of the Year 2025)
- Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, Hans Chew (first UK show since 2017)
- Dylan Earl, Rachel Croft, Logan J Parker, Ags Connolly
- Hannah White (UK Americana Artist of the Year 2025)
- Steak (UK exclusive), Morganway, Alex Francis, Savannah Gardner (interview)
- Outlaw Orchestra, Kieron Marshall, The Sonic Gypsy
- Katy Hurt, Brooke Law (interview), Dom Glynn, Samuel Ashton & The Instincts, Phil Hooley
SupaJam Stage: Music with Meaning
Returning to the fold is the SupaJam Stage, a platform for emerging talent from SupaJam’s specialist music colleges and foundation charity. Expect story song circles, singalongs and student showcases alongside established Black Deer artists.
Live Fire, Tattoos and Trucks
Foodies can look forward to Dr BBQ (Ray Lampe) making his only European appearance this year, firing up the Live Fire stage with demos and masterclasses. Expect flame-cooked feasts from matblak, Marcus Bawdon, Melissa Thompson, Genevieve Taylor, Nick Weston, Shane McBagley and Mursal Saiq. There will also be chilli and hot dog eating contests for the brave.
Beyond the music and food, the site will feature custom motorbikes, trucks and a tattoo parlour for those looking to mark the moment.
“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,” said Gill Tee, Black Deer co-founder and Creative Director. “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.”
Tickets and Info
General day tickets start at £84 (plus booking fee), with weekend and VIP options available. Accessible tickets include a free companion pass. The event is 16+, with under-18s requiring adult supervision. A payment plan is available.
Opening hours:
Saturday: 11:00 to 01:00
Sunday: 11:00 to 00:00
Tobacco Dock is easily accessible via Wapping, Shadwell and Tower Hill stations, with nearby parking and good bus routes.
For tickets, updates and the full artist schedule, visit Black Deer Festival’s official site.
A New Chapter for UK Americana
At CountryMusic.co.uk, we see Black Deer In The City as more than just a new event. It’s a statement of intent, a celebration of how far the UK Americana scene has come, and a chance to connect artists and audiences in a setting that feels both fresh and familiar. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the genre, this is a weekend that promises to leave its mark.