Black Deer Festival cancels 2020 event in light of coronavirus pandemic

The independent Americana and country festival was due to return to Kent's Eridge Park for a third year between 19-21 June, but today (22 April), organisers have revealed that they've decided to call off the 2020 festival.

On Twitter, organisers wrote, "As an independent festival, transforming the wild deer park at Eridge Estate into an unforgettable world of Americana is no mean feat, taking many months of planning and careful design by our small but incredibly passionate team.

"It’s why, with this in mind and in light of the recent developments with Covid-19 we must now accept that it is no longer possible for Black Deer Festival 2020 to go ahead as planned. We are beyond disappointed."

2/12 It’s why, with this in mind and in light of the recent developments with Covid-19 we must now accept that it is no longer possible for Black Deer Festival 2020 to go ahead as planned. We are beyond disappointed.

— Black Deer Festival (@blackdeerfest) April 22, 2020

They reveal they they did try to explore "the option of postponing to later in 2020", but decided to just cancel the event until June 2021.

It seems as though Black Deer Festival will be keeping a very similar lineup in 2021, with Wilco, The Waterboys, The Dead South, William Prince, and many others due to perform. Organisers stated on Twitter "Added to this we have some previously unannounced brilliant artists to add to the line-up which, it’s fair to say, we’re extremely proud of."

12/12 Here’s to 2021... stay safe, stay positive.

For ticket options, see link in bio. pic.twitter.com/nKNwHBAWN9

— Black Deer Festival (@blackdeerfest) April 22, 2020

People who bought tickets for this summer's festival can obtain their ticket and use it for next year.