SECOND WAVE OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2025
11 September 2024
The weather is heating up in the country music capital and so is the line-up for Australia’s largest music festival with a new wave of artists announced for the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Kicking off on 17 January 2025, the 10-day extravaganza will feature thousands of ticketed and free shows across the city and see more than 200 performers busk along Tamworth’s iconic Peel Street.
Two of Australia’s most celebrated country music artists; eleven-time Golden Guitar Winner Beccy Cole and nine-time Golden Guitar Winner Adam Harvey will join the stellar line-up, as well as 2023 Roll of Renown inductee Colin Buchanan and Golden Guitar nominee Raechel Whitchurch, ARIA Hall of Fame Inductee Brian Cadd, Newcastle-based band Hurricane Fall and Tamworth local Aleyce Simmonds.
These artists join a line-up already packed with concerts by Lee Kernaghan OAM, John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Graeme Connors, Amber Lawrence, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley, Fanny Lumsden, Suzi Quatro, Shane Nicholson, Tania Kernaghan & Jason Owen, Travis Collins, Kasey Chambers, Ashleigh Dallas, Andrew Swift and many more, announced in July.
The prestigious Golden Guitar Awards celebrate the best of country music and will be hosted by lively duo Max Jackson and James Johnston in 2025.
Festival Manager Barry Harley OAM says preparation for the festival is in full swing with next year’s event anticipated to be even bigger.
“The Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival features a dynamic line up of artists, reflecting the high calibre and popularity of the festival.
“For more than five decades Tamworth has welcomed some of the nation’s biggest country music stars and given emerging artists a platform to accelerate their music career.
“It is exciting to see so many new and returning artists eager to entertain in Tamworth.”
Highlight events will be held right across the city. Tamworth’s Entertainment Venues will be flooded with audiences, with many big-ticket shows on the program.
Tamworth’s Town Hall, will see a celebration of local and international country music including; The NZ Showcase featuring Zac Griffith, Jaydin Shingleton, The Dollys, Amy Maynard, Sophie Toyne, Briar Sharp, Kayla Mahon, The Sparkles and Jaelyn Scully and The Ultimate Country & Rock ‘N’ Roll International Spectacular, staged with 21 singers, dancers, showgirls and a band.
The region’s premier live entertainment venue, The Capitol Theatre will host Colin Buchanan and Raechel Whitchurch for a one-off show, following the release of their new albums in 2024. The venue will also stage Birds of a Feather (Sing Together) featuring Goldheist, Jane A Naoi, Melissa Fraser, Brookie Gillett and Amy Vee; also catch Honky Tonk Reboot featuring Michael Lehnan and Nashville- Songwriters In The Round featuring Deric Ruttan, Catherine Britt and Anthony Snape.
The Bluebird Room at Tamworth Community Event Centre will come to life, with performances by Jason Carruthers, Michael Waugh, Felicity Dowd and Brendon Walmsley.
During the festival, visitors can take a trip down memory lane at The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, which will also feature a range of artists performing live.
Wests Entertainment Group has added to its line-up of quality performances with tickets now on sale for events at both West Tamworth League Club and Wests’ Diggers.
Musical Theatre and Rock enthusiasts will be satisfied at Rob Mills Performs the Songs of Bon Jovi at Blazes. The venue will also star the Sunny Cowgirls, comedian Vince Sorrenti and present tribute shows; Dolly- I Will Always Love You; Keith Urban, Tina Turner & Bryan Adams; The Ultimate Superstars of Country and Celebrating Music of Countdown.
Classics, including Travellin’ Still – The Songs of Slim Dusty will return, along with multi-award-winning ventriloquist Darren Carr and Amos Morris.
Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers will perform at Wests’ Diggers, with 8 Ball Aitkin, Ella and Sienna performing Reputation: The Ultimate Taylor Swift Show, Elias & JJ; Mak & Shar; Kevin Sullivan & The Sulli-Vans; The West Coast 70s show, House of Gold – The Songs of Hank Williams with Andy Baylor; Liam Brew’s 90s country party; Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson Experience show; The Johnny O’Keefe Story and Southern Stone featuring Victoria McGee.
Tamworth local Sally-Anne Whitten & The Rumour Mill will perform at Tamworth’s underground whiskey bar, The Press, which will also host the Songwriters Showcase hosted by Lawrie and Shelly Minson, Wicker Suite, The Articulate Mutes, The Heartbreak Club, Devils Dandruff Band, Kelly Brouhaha, Splashpool, The Urban Chiefs, Kirsty Larkin, The Matty Rogers Band, Andrew Farriss, The Buckleys, Tania Nichamin, The Pleasures, Cass Hopetoun Band, Brandon Dodd Band and multiple showcases.
The Rhymer from Ryde will perform at the North Tamworth Bowling Club, also the home of Andrew Clermont’s International Supper Club.
The Pub Group will deliver a number of shows across its local venues, with Karise Eden, Mickey Pye, Kirsty Lee Akers, Bryce Sainty, Chelsea Berman, Jade Gibson & Chloe Styler, Josh Setterfield and Rock This Country – Shania Twain Tribute recently announced for The Family Hotel – Moonshiners Bar.
Horseman and musician, Tom Curtain joins the Longyard’s ticketed show line-up, previously announced in July. While Kevin Bennett and the Flood will also make an appearance at The Pub.
More than 60 free shows across the The Pub Group’s venues will also be announced in coming months.
The Tamworth Hotel, will come alive with alternate country singer Andy Golledge, Good Corn Liquor and Y.O.G.A with many more shows on the horizon.
Toyota Australia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said Toyota was proud to support the ambitious talent emerging for country music in Australia.
“It’s an absolute privilege for Toyota to be able to champion such an incredible line up of artists at the Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2025.”
“Each year, the level of talent continues to impress, and we’re eagerly anticipating the unique performances that each artist will bring to the stage this January, as they showcase their talents to thousands of fans,” said Mr. Naidoo.
Tickets are now on sale with more free and ticketed shows and venue line-ups to be announced in the coming months. To book and find out more head to tcmf.com.au/whatson.
Tamworth Country Music Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.