Picture this: a sunlit morning, your car or van packed and ready to roll, and the open road stretching out ahead like a promise of adventure.

Buskers, street performers, market stalls and street artists line Peel Street, while people enjoying live music in venues across the CBD spill out onto the street. Now add to this scene the resonant twang of guitars, the soul-stirring sound of classic country songs, and the vibrant camaraderie of like-minded travellers.

Welcome to the Toyota Country  Music Festival, Tamworth, a 10-day festival experience for all those who are searching for the ultimate summer celebration.

As the calendar flips to January 2024, it’s time to dust off your travel map, jump in the car or hitch up that beloved van, and embark on a journey that promises not just a festival but an opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Australia’s country music scene.

The Toyota Country Music Festival has been the largest country music festival in Australia for over 50 years,  nestled in north-west NSW, in the picturesque town of Tamworth. The festival is more than just a gathering of music enthusiasts, it’s a vibrant celebration of Australia’s most cherished country music stars.

The festival’s lineup promises a diverse array of incredible performances, ensuring that every musical taste is catered to. From beautiful country ballads to footstomping tunes, the Toyota Country Music Festival offers a diverse mix of traditional, Country Rock, Americana, blues, roots, Alt-country, bluegrass, and honky-tonk. You’ll find yourself swept away by the sheer talent and passion on display.

Temporary campgrounds lay right beside the Festival precinct, allowing you to wake up in the heart of the action, wandering between venues, and exploring the vast array of stalls that line the main street, never too far away from the next tune. When the sun goes down, sample delicious street food, settle into Toyota Park and enjoy the incredible line-up of free performances. If you’re looking for a place to dance, the festival comes alive at night with live  entertainment in venues across the city. The festival is not only a chance to see your favourite performers, but a chance to get up close and personal with the inclusion of its dynamic FanZone precinct.

Launching the careers of some of Australia’s biggest country music stars like Keith Urban, Troy Cassar- Daley, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole and Lee Kernaghan, next year’s festival will celebrate the past, present and future of the industry. Then there’s country music’s night of nights, the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, when the stars sweep across the red carpet and appear on stage as presenters, performers, or join the ranks of more than 400 Golden Guitar winners. The Golden Guitar Awards is the nation’s longestrunning music awards event, and the pinnacle event of the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth each year.

The Festival isn’t merely a gathering; it’s an annual pilgrimage for adventure seekers and country music lovers alike. The event sees hundreds of artists performing across a number of venues, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Tamworth,  almost doubling its population across the 10 days.

A favourite with RVers and campers alike, the Festival has something for every age group and lifestyle, catering well to its nomadic visitors.

So, as the 2024 Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth beckons, heed its call. Whether you’re reuniting with old friends or forging new connections, the festival provides an unforgettable live music experience and a chance to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Category: Features
Written: Sun 01 Oct 2023
Printed: October, 2023
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