Festivals
Kip Moore Announces Return To AU & NZ
As part of his Nomad World Tour, multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Kip Moore will be returning to Australia and New Zealand in September and October, and country music fans couldn’t be more thrilled to have him here.
For his fifth Australian tour, Kip is performing nine massive headline shows in cities including Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Thirroul, and Brisbane as part of his Nomad World Tour.
On Monday, March 25th at 4pm local time, Frontier Members will have access to the presale tickets. The general onsale will start on Wednesday, March 27th at 4pm local time. Check out frontiertouring.com/kipmoore for all the tour details and reservations!
Kip Moore’s southern charm remains as smooth as ever; he last visited Australia and New Zealand for a sell-out headline tour in 2023, which included a spectacular headline performance at CMC Rocks QLD. Arenas and theatres around the nation are going to go ballistic when the genre-bending songsmith returns, as his legion of devoted followers are begging for more.
After launching his career in 2012 with the release of Up All Night, Kip got off to a roaring start. The project became an immediate hit, going platinum in the US, and was praised as “the best by a new country artist this year” (Taste of Country). As the next decade rolled along, Kip’s highly awaited fifth studio album, Damn Love, was released in 2023 to millions of albums sold and over 2.9 billion streams globally. This album, which Kip Moore co-produced, features thirteen songs that demonstrated his skill as a songwriter and musician once again, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the country music industry.
Known worldwide for his electrifying live performances and distinctive sound, Kip Moore is an absolutely extraordinary performer. This past year, he reached a new peak in his career with over 44,000 tickets sold in South Africa. He played to sold-out stadiums in Pretoria and Cape Town, ushered in a new era for country music, and even debuted the Cape Town Country Music Festival.
The dynamic troubadour will devote the most of 2024 to his craft, playing headlining concerts and festival appearances across North America before making a late-year trek to Australia and New Zealand.
In recent years, “Kip Moore” has amassed a legion of devoted fans around the world. Riding high on the enthusiasm and interest of his massive global fan base – A A Nashville Soundscape
“Becoming one of the most consistent and potent live draws in country music, and not only in the US. Performing to packed houses in countries like Australia and Canada, he is a shining example of the organic performance art that the most commercially successful acts in his field tend to ignore in favour of stagecraft.”
Rolling Stone
James Johnston, a local hero, has had remarkable success with his boot-stomping songs about life in the country. He has joined Kip in performing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. James has risen to prominence as one of Australia’s most popular country music singers on streaming services, riding high on the success of his groundbreaking debut album RAISED LIKE THAT and the rest of 2023. His unassuming demeanour, high-energy live performance, and indisputable talent will propel him to international stardom.
New Zealand, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Canberra will be graced by the melodic sounds of Sons Of The East, a local indie folk duo. With over 300 million streams and sold-out concerts in Australia and across the globe, Sons Of The East are an incredible independent success story. Palomar Parade, their outstanding debut album, showcases their energetic sound and helps them carve out a distinct niche among their peers.
Kip Moore, who has defied genre expectations in country music, returns to Australia and New Zealand to the delight of his devoted fans. In September and October, he will be performing at two of his most notable concerts to date.
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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