The rescheduled Tamworth Country Music Festival line-up is here!

Organisers of the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth have announced a stellar line-up for the rescheduled 50th anniversary event in April, with the majority of country music stars confirming they will be heading to the country music capital.

Shows scheduled for January are now being refunded, with tickets for concerts across the seven-day April event going on sale today at 9 am.

Toyota Country Music Festival Manager, Barry Harley says, “While some may have been disappointed in our decision to postpone the festival, many artists have confirmed they will be back and ready to roll in April to celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary.

“All the big names will return including ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Kasey Chambers, country music legends Troy Cassar-Daley, Lee Kernaghan and John Williamson, as well as Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Sara Storer and James Blundell, esteemed songwriter Graeme Connors, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham and fan favourite Fanny Lumsden.”

There will be 7 nights of free entertainment in Toyota Park, with the ever-popular Opening concert on Monday, 18 April, as well as the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final, Back to the Bush spectacular, and Americana in the Park, plus a host of surprise guests across the week.

He adds, “For each concert in Toyota Park, The Country Club will be fully operational, offering Festival goers a VIP experience, with access to the only licensed area in the Park and an exclusive opportunity to mingle with some of the stars performing on the night.” 

Organisers have also confirmed that the 2022 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards will be going ahead, on Wednesday, April 20.

Harley says, “We still have a lot to celebrate, and the April installment of our 50th anniversary event will deliver a similar Festival experience, complete with buskers, free concerts in the famous Toyota Park, the Golden Guitar Awards, and some of the biggest names in Australian country music.

 I can also confirm, the 50th-anniversary concert will be held, on Thursday, 21 April, featuring an all-star line-up at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Conference Centre (TRECC).”

Others joining the ticketed line-up include Tamworth artist Ashleigh Dallas, Amber Lawrence with her Kids Gone Country show, as well as Brad Butcher and The Weeping Willows, Melinda Schneider, Darren Coggan and two of country music favourite acts, Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont who will be performing together.

The Toyota Zone, with the Tailgate Sessions, featuring buskers, Star Maker finalists, and special feature artists performing from the back of a Toyota LandCruiser 70 is another key feature rescheduled for the April Festival program, along with Toyota's famous Tamworth hats.  They will be available for a $2 donation, as well as limited edition pins for a $5 donation, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to support local community organisation, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Services.

The Golden Gig, Sponsored by Maccas will still make its debut in 2022 too, with the event featuring in the April program. The Golden Gig gives those 17 and under their moment in the spotlight on the Maccas Stage, and the opportunity to win a range of incredible prizes. 

Harley also confirmed that the Festival Precinct and Family Zone will be back operating for the full 7-days, with street performers, rides and market stalls to keep the whole family entertained, while Riverside camping will return along with pre-pitched camping tents, Wallaroo.

The Pub Group venues, are pleased to announce their headline acts will return in April with Aussie rockers Ian Moss and Andrew Farriss locked in, as well as indie rockers, The Whitlams, multi-Golden Guitar winners Shane Nicholson and The Wolfe Brothers, who’ll be joined by a long list of country music favourites including, Lyn Bowtell and her Famous Friends, Catherine Britt, The Viper Creek Band, Andrew Swift, plus many more.

Over at Wests, Kirsty Lee Akers and Hurricane Fall will be performing and some big names will come together for a special Country Turns Pink concert in support of the McGrath Foundation.

Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, said it was great to see the commitment from the artists and all involved in the Toyota Country Music Festival to making sure the Festival remained a huge success, following the postponement.

Hanley says, “The Toyota Country Music Festival is an iconic event on the music calendar and especially in this 50th anniversary year, it’s such an important celebration of country music and rural life. We are proud to be able to help support the festival and ensure country music fans and artists can celebrate the resilient community spirit that is at the heart of regional Australia.”

While putting plans in place for the April event, Festival organisers are also working with Support Act, a charity delivering crisis relief services to artists, artist managers, crew, and music workers across all genres, to support those who have been impacted, not only by the postponement but by the situation over the past few years. 

Harley says, “There has been a significant impact to the live music industry over the past two years, and we understand postponing the Festival just a week out from its scheduled start date was another hit to the industry, so we want to support those affected as much as we can during these difficult times.”

A donation page has now been set up and those who can, are encouraged to join festival organisers by showing their support. 

Registrations for busking and the Maccas Golden Gig will be re-opening on Monday, 17 January, and Fanzone performers, if not contacted already, will be contacted directly to reschedule their performance.  

Head to the Festival website www.tcmf.com.au for more information.  

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Image: Supplied