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Rufus Wainwright announced as third headliner for Black Deer Festival 2024

Kent’s biggest rock, country and Americana festival has announced its third headliner.

Black Deer, which takes place in June at Eridge Park in Tunbridge Wells, has revealed that Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will close the main stage with an exclusive UK festival performance.

Award-winning musician Rufus Wainwright has been announced for this year’s Black Deer. Picture: Supplied by Black Deer Festival
Award-winning musician Rufus Wainwright has been announced for this year’s Black Deer. Picture: Supplied by Black Deer Festival

The musician, who was born in New York and raised in Montreal, joins previously announced headliners Sheryl Crow and Joe Bonamassa for the three-day summer festival.

The 50-year-old began his career in a family folk group before branching out to record his own solo music, resulting in his self-titled debut album released in 1998.

Since then, he has recorded 10 studio albums, composed two operas and collaborated with the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel.

He has also recorded tracks for films such as Brokeback Mountain, Moulin Rouge, Shrek and Zoolander.

More recently, he wrote the music and lyrics for a stage adaptation of John Cassavetes’ Opening Night, which opened in London last month and currently stars Sheridan Smith.

The most recent line-up announcement for Black Deer also includes folk-pop singer Jade Bird, country duo Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, Nashville-based performers Brennen Leigh and Joshua Hedley and rock band When Rivers Meet.

The crowd watching a chilli-eating competition at the Live Fire stage last year
The crowd watching a chilli-eating competition at the Live Fire stage last year

The festival has also confirmed the return of the Caffé Nero, Supajam and Live Fire stages for this year.

The interactive Live Fire stage has proved a hit with fans in previous years, with its eating competitions, cooking demonstrations and Gospel brunch.

Now in its fifth year, Black Deer is known for bringing rock, blues, country and Americana music to Kent and is also one of the county’s biggest celebrations of American counter-culture.

Alongside the music, there will be custom-built motorcycles, BBQ food, craft beer, late-night entertainment and foraging workshops.

Black Deer Festival takes place from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16 at Eridge Park. Tickets are available online here.

Ticket upgrades and camping options are also available.

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