Preserving The Performance - Black Deer 2022 look back Review
Black Deer Festival 2022 kicked off with a bang on Friday with an incredible lineup of artists spanning various genres of music. The festival, which took place at Eridge Park in Kent, provided a picturesque backdrop for the performances, adding to the overall experience.
The first act I caught live was Franky Perez, who delivered a high-energy set that got the crowd moving. His powerful vocals and engaging stage presence made for a memorable performance. He played some of his most popular tracks, including "Love Is Blindness" and "Something Crazy," both of which were received with enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
The Cuban Brothers followed with their unique blend of comedy and music, which had the crowd laughing and dancing along. Their infectious energy and entertaining antics made for a fun and lively performance.
Next up was Lucy Grubb, a rising star in the country music scene. Grubb's soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics shone through during her set, particularly on tracks like "Rascal" and "Waste My Time." She also showcased her impressive guitar skills, leaving the audience thoroughly impressed.
William The Conqueror took to the stage next, and their dynamic indie-rock sound was an instant hit with the crowd. They played some of their most popular tracks, including "Thank Me Later" and "Looking for the Cure," and the audience sang along enthusiastically.
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. delivered a poignant and thought-provoking set, touching on important social issues like mental health and the refugee crisis. His emotive performance was particularly impactful on tracks like "Always" and "The Children Are the Future."
Emily Barker followed with a captivating set, showcasing her unique brand of folk-inspired music. Her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics were particularly striking on tracks like "Anywhere Away" and "Sister Goodbye."
The Outlaw Orchestra, known for their high-energy performances and unique blend of country and rock music, kept the crowd moving with their infectious tunes.
Imelda May was up next, delivering a powerhouse performance that showcased her incredible vocals and dynamic stage presence. Her performance of "Johnny Got a Boom Boom" was a particular highlight.
Jake Bugg, a well-known artist in the UK, delivered a memorable set that had the crowd singing and dancing along. He played some of his biggest hits, including "Lightning Bolt" and "Broken," and closed out his set with a cover of "Summertime" that had the audience swaying along.
Madison Violet's performance was absolutely stunning. The Canadian duo's mix of folk and Americana was perfectly suited for the festival's vibe. Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac's harmonies were simply breathtaking and their instrumentation was spot on. Their set included some of their most popular tracks, such as "Small Of My Heart" and "These Ships." The crowd was singing and swaying along, truly enjoying the performance.
Next, I caught Wildwood Kin's set, which was another highlight of the day. This all-female trio from Exeter, England, had a unique sound that combined folk, rock, and pop. Their vocal harmonies were gorgeous and their songs were catchy and energetic. They played a number of tracks from their latest album, "Homegrown," including the title track and "Beauty in Your Brokenness," as well as some older favorites such as "Steady My Heart" and "Warrior Daughter." It was clear that the crowd loved their set, with many dancing and clapping along.
Finally, James closed out the day with a memorable set that left the audience buzzing with excitement. The Manchester band, led by frontman Tim Booth, delivered an energetic performance that showcased their incredible musicianship and stage presence. Their setlist included some of their biggest hits, such as "Sit Down," "Born of Frustration," and "Laid," as well as some newer tracks from their latest album, "All The Colours Of You." The band had the crowd singing and dancing along, and even got some audience members up on stage to dance with them during "Laid." It was an unforgettable moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the festival.
Saturday
First up was Amy Montgomery, a singer-songwriter hailing from Northern Ireland. With her raw, powerful vocals and electric guitar skills, Montgomery captivated the audience with her unique blend of rock, blues, and folk music. Highlights of her set included "Anywhere But Here" and "Dangerous." Her energy and passion on stage were infectious, and it was clear that she was enjoying every moment of her performance.
Next up was Simeon Hammond Dallas, a British singer-songwriter who brought a fresh take on traditional Americana music. Accompanied by his band, Dallas delivered a set filled with heartfelt lyrics and intricate guitar work. Tracks like "Bluebird" and "New Beginnings" showcased his talent as both a songwriter and performer.
Darlingside, an indie-folk band from Massachusetts, followed with a captivating set that showcased their beautiful harmonies and intricate instrumentation. The quartet's unique sound, which incorporates elements of bluegrass and chamber pop, was a refreshing change of pace. Highlights of their set included "White Horses" and "Eschaton."
Ben Ottewell, known for his work as a member of the British band Gomez, took to the stage next with a solo set that highlighted his impressive voice and guitar skills. With his deep, soulful vocals and bluesy guitar riffs, Ottewell delivered a set that was both powerful and intimate. Highlights of his set included "Blackbird" and "Shapes and Shadows."
Kezia Gill, a rising star in the UK country music scene, followed with a lively set filled with catchy, upbeat tracks. With her powerhouse vocals and infectious energy, Gill had the audience dancing along to tracks like "Dead Ends and Detours" and "Swerve." Her stage presence was electric, and it was clear that she was having a blast performing.
Jack Broadbent, a blues-rock musician from England, delivered one of the most electrifying sets of the day. Armed with his resonator guitar and a powerful voice, Broadbent captivated the audience with his soulful, high-energy performance. Highlights of his set included "Everytime I Drown" and "Wishing Well."
Declan O'Rourke, an Irish singer-songwriter, followed with a set that showcased his unique blend of folk, rock, and traditional Irish music. With his warm, rich voice and impressive guitar skills, O'Rourke delivered a set that was both heartfelt and uplifting. Highlights of his set included "Galileo" and "Be Brave and Believe."
Next up was Courtney Marie Andrews, an American singer-songwriter whose soulful voice and introspective lyrics have won over fans around the world. Andrews delivered a set filled with tracks from her latest album, "Old Flowers," showcasing her talent as both a songwriter and performer. Highlights of her set included "If I Told" and "Burlap String."
Wilco, one of the festival's headliners, took to the stage next with a set that was nothing short of epic. With a career spanning over 25 years, the American rock band delivered a career-spanning set that had the audience singing and dancing along. Highlights of their set included "Via Chicago" and "California Stars."
The Great Americana Songbook, a project featuring members of the Americana Music Association UK, closed out the night with a set filled with classic American country and folk songs. With each artist taking turns performing their favorite tracks, the set was a true celebration of the genre's rich history and legacy.
Sunday
Gospel Brunch The Gospel Brunch was the perfect way to kick off the final day of Black Deer Festival 2022. The setlist included classic gospel songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". The talented group of musicians led by the charismatic frontman got the audience clapping and singing along, creating a truly joyful atmosphere.
Yasmin Williams is an incredible fingerstyle guitarist and her set at Black Deer Festival 2022 showcased her unique talent. She played a selection of tracks from her latest album, "Urban Driftwood," including "Jarabi" and "Dragonfly." Her intricate fingerpicking style was mesmerizing to watch and her use of loop pedals added layers of complexity to her compositions.
Noble Jacks brought their unique blend of folk and rock . They played songs from their latest album "Stay Awake," such as "Enjoy the Ride" and "Morning Light," as well as crowd favorites like "Blacksmith Stomp." The energy of their performance was infectious and had the crowd dancing and singing along.
William Prince's set was a highlight of the day, with his soulful and emotive voice delivering powerful and introspective lyrics. He played a number of songs from his latest album, "Reliever," including "The Spark," "Gospel First Nation," and "That's All I'll Ever Become." His intimate and heartfelt performance left a lasting impression on the audience.
Irish Mythen's set was filled with energy and passion, as she played tracks from her latest album "Little Bones," such as "Deep Dark Woods" and "Fear of the Unknown." Her dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals had the audience captivated, and her storytelling between songs added a personal touch to her performance.
Ward Thomas are a British country-pop duo and their set showcased their catchy and uplifting sound. They played a range of songs from their discography, including "Cartwheels," "No Filter," and "Hold Space." Their tight harmonies and upbeat instrumentation had the crowd singing and dancing along.
John Smith's set was a masterclass in folk guitar, as he showcased his intricate fingerpicking style on tracks such as "Hold On" and "Deserving." His vocals were soulful and heartfelt, delivering poignant lyrics that resonated with the audience. He also performed a beautiful rendition of the traditional song "Lord Franklin."
Hiss Golden Messenger brought a powerful and emotive set. They played a selection of tracks from their latest album, "Quietly Blowing It," including "If It Comes in the Morning," "Hardlytown," and "Sanctuary." Their sound was a blend of folk, rock, and soul, with intricate guitar work and evocative lyrics. Their performance was the perfect way to end an incredible weekend of music.
The Dead South's set was filled with high-energy bluegrass and folk, as they played tracks from their latest album, "Sugar & Joy," including "Black Lung," "Diamond Ring," and "Fat Little Killer Boy." Their catchy hooks and upbeat rhythms had the audience dancing and singing along, and their use of unconventional instruments like the cello and banjo added a unique touch to their sound. Their performance was a fitting end to an amazing weekend of music at Black Deer Festival 2022.
despite the on and off weather everyones spirits where high at being back at eldridge park and even when the lightning caused half of the last set on saturday night to be cancelled due to safety concerns
the whole weekend was amazing and the new layout of the whole festival was great not having to trek up the hill to the 3rd biggest stage really looking forward to being back on the park next year
