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Australia’s leading country festival, CMC Rocks QLD, today reveals the artist lineup for its anticipated 2025 event. After exhausting the presale ticket allocation within hours earlier this week, CMC’s lineup comes as demand from fans reaches fever pitch! Over the weekend of Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March, Willowbank will once again be transformed into a country music lover’s paradise, featuring some of the most sought-after artists in the world.

Helmed by US star CODY JOHNSON on his debut CMC Rocks visit, the epic lineup features headliners JON PARDI and THOMAS RHETT alongside a mammoth array of the hottest local and international acts on offer.

Known for his explosive live shows and electrifying stage presence, platinum-selling artist CODY JOHNSON will make his anticipated CMC Rocks QLD debut in March. After joining Luke Combs’ sold-out Australian arena dates just last year, ‘CoJo’ converted legions of fans across the country and is a true force to be reckoned with. He has 47 career RIAA certifications, a Pandora Billionaire Award, nearly 7.5 billion global streams and three No.1 singles.

Cody’s numerous industry honours include recognition as a CMT Artist of The Year, three CMT Music Awards wins, two CMA Awards and being named Best New Country Artist at the iHeart Music Awards.

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Since first hitting the country landscape, JON PARDI has long since separated himself from the pack, carving a lane that’s all his own by producing, writing, and singing songs he created from the melodies up, and garnering praise for it.

This past year saw a series of career milestones for the California-native, including Jon Pardi’s induction into the Grand Ole Opry following his surprise invitation from Icon Alan Jackson. Currently headlining his Mr. Saturday Night World Tour, the ACM and CMA award-winning artist recently released new music from his upcoming album with his new single ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker.’ ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker’ marks the first new music from Pardi since his critically-acclaimed Album of the Year nominated project, Mr. Saturday Night.

One of country’s most dynamic modern stars, THOMAS RHETT takes the stage at Willowbank five years on from his last visit and with a slew of new music under his belt. With both songwriting prowess and charisma, Thomas Rhett’s career has been fuelled by equal parts energy and emotion, connecting first-hand with his fans through his enthralling live show.

In ten years, Thomas Rhett has accrued a mammoth 22 No.1 hits, 16 billion global streams, and a swag of awards including eight ACM Awards, CMT, Billboard, iHeartRadio and CMA Awards, plus five Grammy nominations. On his return, Thomas Rhett will play fan favourites from his extensive catalogue, and wowing CMC Rockers with songs from his seventh studio album, About A Woman. ​

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Completing the lineup are a bevvy of heavyweight country music talents including America’s COLE SWINDELL whose latest hit ‘She Had Me At Heads Carolina’ took home three ACM Awards and an iHeart Music Award for Country Song of the Year, alongside BILLY CURRINGTON, KOE WETZEL, duo MUSCADINE BLOODLINE as well as up and comers WYATT FLORES and Alabama-born country crooner KASHUS CULPEPPER. ALANA SPRINGSTEEN makes her anticipated return to Australia after her debut at the inaugural Ridin’ Hearts Festival in 2023.

LARRY FLEET, DYLAN MARLOWE, ASHLEY COOKE and ZACH TOP will all grace the CMC Rocks stage for the very first time, alongside anticipated debut appearances from OLE 60, DALTON DOVER, CARTER FAITH and MACKENZIE CARPENTER. British born KEZIA GILL makes her debut at CMC after supporting Bruce Springsteen in 2023.

Returning to the CMC stage is New Zealand native KAYLEE BELL and festival staple TRAVIS COLLINS, plus local legends LANE PITTMAN, ZAC & GEORGE, MAX JACKSON, AMY SHEPPARD, SINEAD BURGESS, ABBIE FERRIS, IMOGEN CLARK, THE BUCKLEYS, DENVAH and VIXENS OF FALL.

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Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg, said, “CMC Rocks QLD continues to set the standard as THE place the country community comes together each year to celebrate with friends old and new. It’s a tradition we’re very proud of, an experience that transcends age, time and boundaries, and we’re excited to deliver yet another stellar lineup – featuring returning stars alongside some amazing first-time talent – for our community to enjoy in 2025.”

Jeremy Dylan, Festival Director, Potts Entertainment, added, “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make CMC Rocks QLD 2025 the biggest one yet – the best experience for our community of CMC Rocks fans and a blockbuster lineup full of the superstars of today and tomorrow. We can’t wait to be back in Ipswich next March to share this weekend with you.”

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CMC Rocks QLD has always been a significant highlight for the country music community, offering not just music but a highly anticipated annual experience. Unique to the festival is the regular Songwriters Show, a highlight which returns to the Tailgate Stage in 2025. Set as an intimate Nashville-style ‘in the round’ songwriter’s session, the daily set showcases four artists side by side, sharing their songs and the stories behind them in an entirely acoustic setting.

Touted as the “honky tonk of your dreams”, favourite festival hangout Big Time Charlie’s makes a splashy return in 2025, promising top-notch cocktails, air-conditioned comfort, and an expanded program featuring the unmissable beats of Peking Duk’s Reuben Styles in his solo project, Y.O.G.A., along with DJ Konsky and Dee Jaye Bux. Also returning is the iconic eight-metre-high cowboy boot, Maton Music Shop, Great Northern Bar, Honky Tonk Stomp line dancing, Live Band Karaoke and more.

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Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said CMC Rocks has been a runaway success since relocating to Ipswich in 2015, growing visitor numbers each year and injecting millions into the local economy, and the 2025 lineup ensured the next event would be another standout event. The 2024 event attracted more than 24,000 visitors, almost 90 per cent of whom were from outside the Ipswich region.

“CMC Rocks is an iconic Queensland event with people travelling from all over Australia and the world to see the biggest country music stars, and to kick up the Willowbank dust with their mates,” Mayor Harding said.

“It brings significant benefits to Ipswich with the 2024 festival attracting over 23,000 attendees and delivering around $10 million in direct and incremental spend to the Ipswich economy. Council is proud of its long-running association with this event and the role it is playing in cementing Ipswich as an events destination.”

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Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy says, “CMC Rocks is back with a bang and this cracking lineup is set to make the 2025 festival unforgettable. Country music fans love this event, and they attend in droves year after year. More than 23,000 people step into their cowboy boots and kick up the dust in Willowbank each year, injecting $14 million into the local Queensland economy. We fought hard to keep this event in Queensland, the home of country music in Australia, and this spectacular line up proves it was worth fighting for.”

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From rising stars to all-time favourites, CMC Rocks QLD 2025 is shaping up to deliver an electrifying blend of talent and passion. As the heart of country music beats stronger than ever in Willowbank, fans can expect a weekend that’s not just about the music, but about the memories, the community, and the shared love for this timeless genre.

Tickets for CMC ROCKS QLD 2025 on sale at
​10:00am AEST, Thursday 12 September from AXS.COM.AU

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AMNPLIFY – DB