Ten days of free concerts – it doesn’t get better than this!
4th November 2016
For ten adrenaline-charged days in January 2017 (20 – 29), Australia’s country music capital transforms into the biggest non-gated music festival in the southern hemisphere, offering visitors and locals alike the opportunity to see some of the nation’s biggest county music stars performing live - absolutely free!
From 10 am each day the Toyota Fanzone and Peel Street stages are in full swing bringing country music to the heart of the city and showcasing different acts every 30 mins. As the sun goes down, the Festival’s biggest and by far the most impressive free venue, Toyota Park starts to light up, offering a quintessentially ‘Australian summer’ experience with festival goers spilling in with their eskies and fold out chairs to pick the best vantage point to enjoy world-class musicians on stage.
Festival organisers have just confirmed the Toyota Park lineup and are excited by the caliber of shows on offer.
“The theme for Toyota Park concerts this year is generally a large variety of ‘cameo’ performances from a lot of acts rather than long concerts of just one act,” said Barry Harley, Manager Country Music and Events, Tamworth Regional Council.
Barry says this gives festival goers the opportunity to experience the many emerging, new and popular artists in one place, showcasing the diversity of country music genres we have here in Australia.
The Toyota Park line up kicks off on Friday 20 January 2017 with the OFFICIAL OPENING CONCERT. Hosted by Peter Denahy (two time Golden Guitar winner), the concert will feature performances by The Academy of Country Music graduates and tutors, The Bushwackers, Mitch King (2016, Toyota Busking Champion), Karin Page (2016 Toyota Star Maker winner), Catherine Britt (2016 Female Artist of the Year, Golden Guitar winner), Amber Lawrence, the Sam Hawksley All Star Band and Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart. Fireworks will explode at 9 pm and then the ‘real’ party starts with the Ben Ransom Band and Hurricane Fall playing into the night.
Saturday 21 January is the TAMWORTH FAMILY SUPPORT EVENING IN THE PARK featuring home grown artists Aleyce Simmonds and Tori Forsyth and a mystery guest appearance.
Sunday 22 January is home to the TOYOTA STARMAKER GRAND FINAL and Monday 23 January 2017 AMERICANA IN THE PARK.
Tuesday 24 January is will be the highly anticipated LIVE, LOUD and FREE concert a contemporary country music display showcasing emerging talent. It stars Caitlin Shadbolt, Kaylens Rain and Chelsea Basham, Kaylee Bell, Melanie Dyer, Route 33 and some very special guest appearances.
Wednesday 25 January we go ‘Back to the Bush’ with the SUPER BUSH BALLAD CONCERT featuring Jeff Brown, Reg Poole, Lindsay Butler, Keith Jamieson, Brian Letton, Anne Kirkpatrick and many more and on Thursday 26 January 2017 we celebrate Australia Day with a massive lineup of Tamworth Proud artists and surprise guests.
Fireworks will punctuate the evening at 9.00pm and popular Tamworth band Splashpool will finish off the evening in true Aussie party flavour with classic Australian songs.
Friday 27 January is TOYOTA CONCERT FOR RURAL AUSTRALIA featuring a star studded lineup and raising funds for the Glenn McGrath Foundation.
On Saturday 28 January traditionally one of the most popular free concerts during the Festival is the TOYOTA BUSKING CHAMPIONSHIPS featuring the top 10 acts selected from the Boulevard of Dreams.
Sunday 29 January we will celebrate the winners and fan favourites from the festival including Toyota Star Maker, Aristocrat Champion, Toyota Busking Champions, Toyota Golden Guitar Awards and other competition winners in the LAST ROUNDUP CONCERT culminating in another massive firework display.
“Attending the free concerts in Toyota Park is a great opportunity for musical discovery, meeting new people, and really appreciating the talent we have here in Australia,” expressed Barry.
“We have always supported, nurtured and promoted ‘home grown’ Australian country music talent because we have so much of it and we want everyone to experience it,” he added.
The Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth, 20 – 29 January 2017 - it really doesn’t get any better than this!
For further information on the festival, to purchase tickets, or apply for media accreditation head to www.tcmf.com.au.
