Black Country Day 2025: New Black Country Music Festival to be held this weekend and celebrate local talent

We've had Musicom, we've had a folk festival, but this year the organisers behind the Black Country Day celebrations are going all out with an inaugural music fest branding at Himley Park this Saturday (July 12) featuring a handpicked line up to reflect the raw talent and unique voices emerging from across the region.

The event is set to be a feast for music fans who are expected to flock to the Grade II listed estate in their hundreds to soak up the atmosphere of the debut festival and a full day of live performances, food and drinks. Around 80 singers will be on stage throughout the day.

The schedule will feature homegrown talent across genres including indie, punk, rock, acoustic, soul and choral traditions with the gates opening from 10am to 9pm.

Entertainers will include headliners Giant and The Georges, cover musicians including Joe James Thomas who appeared on Channel 4 reality show The Piano, and The Gentleman Songsters among others until 4pm when the bands performing their new tunes will take the stage.

Other acts will include The Headshrinkers, Sam Draisey & The Revolt, The Empty Can, The NiteCrawlers, Kerry Worton, Vinyl Revival, All Due Respect, Izzy Pop, Jo Millard, Darcie Edwards, Lawrie Jean, Brian Stevens, Matt Johnson, Rockacella, and The Buskateers.

James Stevens of the organising committee said: "It's the same team behind the scene, but this year we've decided for the first time to go for simplicity and strip back the branding. Over the years we've had live music of some description as part of the Black Country month festivities.

"We've had Musicom and the Black Country Folk Festival. The organisers this year working with Dudley Council and cross-party groups decided we should simply call it what it is, which is Black Country Music Festival.

"This has happened in the right year as we have taken everything back to the roots of what the Black Country Festival was when it first started 12 years ago. We've a homegrown line-up who are right here on the doorstep and many of whom perform on national stages. We've been successful in giving a break-out platform to a number of acts who have gone on to appear on telly, doing tours and performing at Glastonbury including Jess Silk.

"They took their first steps at one of our previous festivals with some even returning to volunteer after starting out on the festival stages when they were younger.

"It has been a wonderful experience. It follows that we're going back to basics with the cream of the Black Country crop.

“This has been a long time coming. We wanted to create something that truly represents the Black Country — its music, its people, and its pride. The Black Country has an incredible music scene, and we’re proud to bring it all together in one place – right here at Himley.”

Other attractions will include street food, craft stalls, bars serving ales and lager and picnic areas.

Gemma Evans, from the team, added: “Whether you’re here for the music, the atmosphere, or just to relax in the sun with a pint, this is going to be a proper Black Country Day out.”