Festivals
Amazing First Line Up Announced For Tamworth ’24
In January 2024, Tamworth will host the nation’s largest live country music event, welcoming some of the biggest and brightest stars for a 10-day celebration. The first line up of artists and ticketed shows for the 52nd Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival has been announced, featuring accomplished artists such as Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Brooke McClymont, Adam Eckersley, Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, Casey Barnes, Fanny Lumsden, Amber Lawrence, John Williamson, Graeme Connors, Andrew Swift, Ashleigh Dallas, Loren Ryan, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, and Shane Nicholson. The Festival will kick off on 19 January 2024 with the Opening Concert in Toyota Park, followed by 10 epic nights of free entertainment and the prestigious Toyota Golden Guitar Awards on 27 January at the Tamworth Entertainment and Conference Centre.
The 52nd Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival is scheduled to commence on 19 January 2024, commencing with the Opening Concert at Toyota Park, the festival’s largest venue. This event will feature 10 nights of remarkable entertainment, including the highly anticipated 2024 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final and the Toyota Best of the Buskers competition. Additionally, the Toyota FanZone will offer a multitude of performances by numerous artists, all free of charge, within the main Festival precinct.
One of the highlights of the festival is the esteemed Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, which will take place on Saturday 27 January at the Tamworth Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC). This prestigious event not only celebrates the excellence in recording within the country music industry but also showcases the finest talents in Australian country music. The evening will be hosted by the acclaimed Tania Kernaghan, a recipient of multiple Golden Guitar Awards and a nominee for the esteemed ARIA award. Joining her as co-host will be Jason Owen, a nominee for the 2014 Golden Guitar Award.
“For more than five decades, the home and heart of Australian country music has welcomed some of the country’s biggest stars and emerging talent. The Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival is the nation’s premier country music event and we cannot wait to welcome fans and artists in January 2024.”
Barry Harley, Festival Manager
A highlight of the 2024 Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival will be the Orchestral Country concert, which will see some of Australia’s best country stars take to the stage to perform with a 30-piece orchestra led by conductor, George Ellis. In addition to some of the Festival’s headline acts, artists also performing include ten-time Golden Guitar award winner Lyn Bowtell, 2023 Video of the Year winner Luke O’Shea, multi-Golden Guitar winner Darren Coggan and Golden Guitar winner and ARIA nominated, Catherine Britt.
Travis Collins’ One of Them Nights concert will be an epic Australia Day party, featuring country pop artist and forming member of ARIA award winning band Sheppard, Amy Sheppard, The Voice 2022 contestant Lane Pittman and emerging talent Sara Berki.
Country music icon Melinda Schneider will perform at the Capitol Theatre during the 52nd Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as The Weeping Willows and The Whitlam’s Black Stump Band.
Moonshiners will welcome 2023 Toyota Star Maker Loren Ryan, Andrew Swift, Mickey Pye, Darlinghurst, Jake Davey, Gretta Ziller, Liam Brew, and Colin Lillie & Billie-Jo Porter. While the Longyard Hotel will see performances from Casey Barnes, The Bushwackers, Lyn Bowtell & her Famous Friends, Sara Storer, Viper Creek Band and The Pigs.
Playing at West Tamworth Leagues Club in 2024 will be headline acts Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Amber Lawrence and Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, as well as Brian Cadd together with The Long and Short of It, The Hillbilly Goats, 2023 Toyota Star Maker finalist Kiara Rodrigues, Duncan Toombs, Paul Costa, festival funny man Darren Carr & Other Dummies, Amos Morris, and Doug Bruce and the Tailgaters.
The Tamworth Town Hall will host the iconic James Blundell, blues and roots duo Busby Marou and Amber Joy Poulton in Coal Miner’s Daughter, as well as the 80’s & 90’s Country Dance Party, on Monday 22 January, which will see husband and wife, Travis List and Kristy Cox return from Nashville, to perform alongside Roo Arcus, Jeremy Turner, TC Cassidy and many more to bring some country classics to life.
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo said it is an honour to be a major sponsor of the festival for the 32nd year and to support such an incredible line-up of artists.
“On behalf of Toyota Australia, we are looking forward to another summer celebrating the many talented country music artists, from rising stars to iconic country music legends, at the 2024 Toyota Country Music Festival.”
Other ticketed shows include Andy Penkow & Donella Waters, Victoria McGee, Melissa Bajric, Amber Joy Poulton & The Holy Men, Music For McGrath in aid of the McGrath Foundation, The Tamworth Opry, The Ultimate Bluegrass Pickin’ Party with Kristy Cox, The Crooked Button Band, The Golden Fiddle Awards & Showcase, Kevin Sullivan & The Sulli-Vans, The Maton Guitar Showcase, The Roy Orbison Story, Country Turns Pink Fundraiser, LBS Records Music Shows featuring Lindsay Butler and Shaza Leigh, Travellin’ Still, and Fibbers’ Charity Concert for Ronald McDonald House.
The Golden Gig, Sponsored by Macca’s young talent quest will also return for the 52nd Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as the popular Toyota Zone and Family Zone.
The first line up of ticketed shows and the 52nd Toyota Golden Guitar Awards will go on sale on 7 July 2023, with hundreds more free and ticketed shows and venues line ups to be announced in the coming months!
Head to the Festival website www.tcmf.com.au for more information.
The Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards lit up Tamworth last night, celebrating the very best in Australian country music. With 17 categories recognizing work from October 2023 to September 2024, the evening was filled with historic wins and unforgettable performances.
Troy Cassar-Daley dominated the night, taking home five awards, including Male Artist of the Year, Toyota Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Some Days.” His total tally of Golden Guitars now stands at an incredible 45, cementing his place as Australia’s most decorated country artist.
Global country superstar Keith Urban added a new accolade to his collection with the prestigious Roll of Renown induction and Top Selling Australian Country Album for HIGH. Reflecting on his journey from Peel Street to global stardom, Urban described the honour as a dream come true.
Max Jackson, last year’s New Talent of the Year, added two more awards to her name, including Female Artist of the Year, while delivering a stunning performance of her winning single, “A Little More Country.”
Local favourite Ashleigh Dallas celebrated another win with Setting Suns crowned Traditional Country Album of the Year, and Casey Barnes’ upbeat album Mayday secured Contemporary Country Album of the Year.
Collaborations shone brightly as The Wolfe Brothers and Kaylee Bell’s “Beer in a Bar” earned Vocal Collaboration of the Year. Meanwhile, bluegrass queen Kristy Cox picked up her seventh Golden Guitar for Let It Burn.
Emerging talent also took centre stage. Lane Pittman, currently on tour with Luke Combs, was named New Talent of the Year, marking an exciting chapter for the former Tamworth local.
The night reflected the heart and talent of country music in Australia, wrapping up one of the busiest and most vibrant festival’s in recent memory.
Rising country music star Felicity Kircher has been named the 45th Toyota Star Maker, following an electrifying Grand Final at the 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival. Representing Tingalpa, Queensland, Kircher captivated the audience with heartfelt performances of her original songs Dear Rose and Ultimatum, securing her place as one of Australia’s most promising emerging artists.
Kircher, a seasoned performer and multi-instrumentalist, has spent over a decade honing her craft on stages across Australia. From touring with Kasey Chambers to standout appearances at festivals like Gympie Muster and Savannah in the Round, she has solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in contemporary country music. Her recent single, I Am Cry, has been making waves on radio and streaming platforms, further showcasing her versatility and talent.
The competition, held at Toyota Park, featured 10 finalists backed by the renowned Sam Hawksley Allstar Band. Each delivered two songs, but it was Kircher’s unique voice, stage presence, and artistic depth that won over the judges.
Star Maker Coordinator Cheryl Brown praised Kircher’s readiness to embrace the next phase of her career: “Felicity is an inspiring artist who continues to test musical boundaries. We are excited to see her flourish with the support of the Star Maker program.”
As the Toyota Star Maker winner, Kircher receives a prize package worth over $100,000, including 12 months’ use of a Toyota vehicle, fuel cards, and recording opportunities. The Star Maker program has a legacy of propelling its winners into the spotlight, and Kircher’s victory promises an exciting future for the young artist.
Congratulations to Felicity Kircher on this remarkable achievement!
Australian country music sensation Keith Urban has clinched the prestigious Golden Guitar Award for Top Selling Australian Country Album of the Year with his latest album, High. Released on September 20, 2024, the album has captivated fans across Australia and beyond, solidifying Urban’s legacy as a powerhouse in country music.
High, Urban’s 11th studio album, features 11 tracks, including chart-topping hits like “Messed Up As Me” and “Chuck Taylors,” as well as a memorable duet with Lainey Wilson on “Go Home W U.” The album has enjoyed 16 weeks in the ARIA Top 20 Australian Country Albums chart, holding the coveted #1 spot as of January 13, 2025.
Announced ahead of the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards, the recognition is based on ARIA chart data and award eligibility criteria, honoring High as the top-selling Australian country album for the calendar year 2024.
The other standout albums rounding out the top five include Troy Cassar-Daley’s Between The Fires, Kasey Chambers’ Backbone, Casey Barnes’ Mayday, and Lily Grace’s Old Enough to Know Better.
Peter Ross, Executive Producer of the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, praised Urban’s accomplishment: “High is an incredibly versatile album showcasing Keith Urban’s exceptional talent as a singer, songwriter, and musician.”
The 53rd Golden Guitar Awards will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the largest country music event in the Southern Hemisphere. Fans can join the celebration live at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre or via the festival’s online livestream.
Stay updated on the festival and awards via www.tcmf.com.au and official social media channels.
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