Music lovers were struck with disappointing news as two popular UK festivals announced their cancellation for 2025, reflecting the economic challenges facing the live music industry. The Black Deer Festival, known for its focus on Americana music, and Norwich's Sundown Festival, which has been features headliners like Shawn Mendes and Dizzee Rascal, are both facing difficulties.
The Black Deer Festival, held since 2018 at Eridge Park along the Kent-East Sussex border, will not take place next year. Organisers cited "rising production costs and general economic conditions" as the main reasons for their decision. Festival co-founder Gill Tee emphasized the event is not done for good, stating, "This is certainly not the end of the Black Deer story. We are so proud to have built one of the most wonderful festival communities." Even though the festival will be on hold, the Black Deer Group plans to continue their live music initiatives across the UK, showcasing Americana music year-round.
Chris Russell-Fish, managing director of the Black Deer Group, lamented the cancelation but encouraged fans to support the festival's other activities, including the recently launched Black Deer Live and Black Deer Radio.
Although the festival will not occur for another year, hopes are high for its return to the stage come 2026.
Similarly, the Sundown Festival, which has enjoyed over 12 years of success, revealed through their social media channels they would also be canceling the 2025 event. "After careful consideration, we regret to announce Sundown will not be returning to Norwich or Malta in 2025," officials said, thanking the fans for their ardent support. The festival, characterized by its vibrant atmosphere and partnership with iconic music brands, previously hosted famous artists ranging from Jess Glynne to Olly Murs. They expressed devastation over the cancellation, labeling the experience as "an unforgettable" phase and highlighting the importance of the community built over the years.
The decision to cancel these events is part of a larger trend affecting festivals across the UK. Recent reports indicate around 72 festivals have either been postponed or canceled entirely this year, marking more than double the cancellations seen the previous year. This alarming trend highlights the difficulties faced by the festival sector, as fluctuated ticket sales and increasing operational costs continue to strain independently funded festivals.
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) recently indicated this year's challenges reflect broader issues within the festival circuit, asserting the need for additional financial support from the government to safeguard independent festivals from going under. AIF Chief, John Rostron expressed his concern, labeling 2024 as "a devastating period" for festival organizers, emphasizing the economic impact festivals have on local communities.
Organizers and festival owners are calling for immediate governmental action to avert the impending crisis, as they fear the loss of smaller festivals will continue to harm the music community, particularly for upcoming artists. Oscar Matthews, co-owner of Barn On The Farm festival, voiced his concern, saying the disappearance of performance spaces will deny rising talents the chance to gain exposure, inevitably weakening the music scene.
The grim reality for many festivals not just lies within current operational challenges but dives back to consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic. The total of 204 festivals, including those which fell during the years reshaped by the pandemic's severity, are now lost to past histories, forever changing the festival culture across the UK.
Nevertheless, as numerous establishments announce their impending closures, some musical events continue with high anticipation for 2025's festival season. Festivals like Isle of Wight, Latitude and Lytham even recently unveiled their lineups, hinting at the determination to push through and keep music alive.
Despite the setbacks, both the Black Deer and Sundown Festivals remain optimistic about their futures and aim to nurture their communities and audiences with live music and events beyond festivals. They encourage the spirit of support among fans, reminding everyone of the joy music can bring even when festivals are on hold.
So as the curtain falls on 2025 for these beloved festivals, music enthusiasts and organizers are left hopeful for the rejuvenation of the festival experience come 2026, as communities gather and celebrate their shared love for music.
