. Photo – MacKenzie Sweetnam . . JELLY ROLL / Photo – Georgia Griffiths . . . JELLY ROLL / Photo – Georgia Griffiths . . CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE NEWS
Tens of thousands of music
fans unite at the inaugural
Country Music Festival
STRUMMINGBIRD 202525 OCTOBER, 1 NOVEMBER, 2 NOVEMBER
Sunshine Coast, Kabi Kabi & Jinibara | Newcastle, Mulubinba | Perth, Boorloo
Australia’s newest country music festival Strummingbird made its debut this year, with a soaring celebration of music and community – uniting country music fans across the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and Perth. Over two weekends, tens of thousands of festival-goers came together for a uniquely Australian take on the modern country festival experience, filled with surprise collaborations, high-energy performances and plenty of line dancing.
Over three huge shows, crowds were treated to an outstanding line-up that blended international heavy-hitters with homegrown favourites. With Jelly Roll, Shaboozey and Treaty Oak Revival headlining, there was also a strong showing of Australian and New Zealand talent alongside a host of other internationals, including James Johnston, Kaylee Bell, Matt Hansen, Drew Baldridge, Julia Cole, The Jack Wharff Band, The Dreggs, Wade Forster and more. Each line-up included a dynamic mix of country, Americana, rock and pop-infused sounds that perfectly captured the spirit of Strummingbird’s inaugural year.
At the sold-out Sunshine Coast edition, Maddison Glover’s line-dancing class featured a special guest, as she brought out James Johnston to join the festivities. Later, Johnston surprised fans once again, as he filmed the official music video for his single ‘One More’ live on stage. Plus, Treaty Oak Revival welcomed Wade Forster on stage during their set – a standout moment that captured the festival’s spirit of connection and spontaneity.
In Newcastle, Treaty Oak Revival’s performance of ‘Boomtown’ once again proved a crowd favourite, echoing their Sunshine Coast triumph, and energy levels skyrocketed in Newcastle and Perth when Jelly Roll brought out both Kaylee Bell and Shaboozey for powerhouse guest appearances – an especially memorable moment for local fans, with Bell, a New Zealand-born artist now based in Australia, joining two international heavyweights on stage.
By the time the festival reached Perth, local heroes James Johnston and Kaylee Bell united for a heartfelt duet, capping off the festival with a distinctly homegrown touch. Beyond the music, the fun kept rolling in the Strummo Bowlo, where festival-goers of all ages filled the dancefloor for impromptu line dancing sessions to everyone’s favourite brat Charli XCX and more. Everyone got involved in The Nutbush line-dance too, with fans joining in from around the main stage, embodying the infectious joy that defines Strummingbird.
Whether you were raised on country or just love a good guitar riff, Strummingbird welcomes all – and after this year’s response, the festival has been welcomed by the country community and cemented its place on the Australian live music calendar. With planning already underway, you better believe Strummingbird will be back to see you all in 2026!
Stay tuned for updates via signing up to the mailing list here or follow on socials for news, artist announcements and 2026 event info.
.STRUMMINGBIRD
Presented by Kicks Entertainment & Live Nation
Saturday 25 October 2025 – Sunshine Coast | Kabi Kabi
Saturday 1 November 2025 – Newcastle | Awabakal
Sunday 2 November 2025 – Perth | WhadjukMusic lineup
JELLY ROLL
SHABOOZEY
TREATY OAK REVIVAL*^JAMES JOHNSTON, KAYLEE BELL, MATT HANSEN,
DREW BALDRIDGE, JULIA COLE, THE JACK WHARFF BAND^+,
THE DREGGS, WADE FORSTER, ZAC & GEORGE, RACHAEL FAHIM, DENVAH,
PLUS LATE NIGHT RIOT WITH HOT DUB TIME MACHINE*+ AND Y.O.G.A^*Sunshine Coast ^Newcastle +Perth
Strummingbird is an all-ages event.
“Strummingbird Newcastle is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.”
Follow STRUMMINGBIRD
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify
.AMNPLIFY – DB
My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.
Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.
Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.
Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.
