The 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth has kicked off with crowds building to 10,000 people in Toyota Park on the first night and 8,000 people on Sunday night to enjoy the incredible line-up of free concerts over the opening weekend.

Friday night’s Opening Concert saw Toyota Park near capacity, with performances by special guest ADAM HARVEY, JASMINE RAE, JOHN STEPHAN, JAYNE DENHAM (2019 Golden Guitar Award nominee), WARREN H WILLIAMS, GINA TIMMS (2018 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Female Artist of the Year), BRAD COX (2018 Toyota Star Maker), HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN HERMITS (2018 Toyota Busking Championship winners), WESTERN DISTRIBUTORS, HURRICANE FALL, MURPHY’S PIGS (2018 Celtic Music Awards Album of the Year), plus THE 2019 COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (CMAA) GRADUATES AND TUTORS.

On Saturday 20 January families enjoyed the Tamworth Family Support Services Family Concert featuring the COLT SEAVERS BAND, 2019 Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalists LIZZIE STEADMAN AND ARNA GEORGIA, KATE HINDLE, MONTGOMERY CHURCH, ALLISON FORBES, HOMEGROWN, AMBER LAWRENCE, ALEYCE SIMMONDS AND LUKE DICKENS.

On Sunday night, Toyota Park hosted the 2019 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final concert, a particularly special occasion as Star Maker celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019. Port Macquarie’s Blake O’Connor was crowned the winner.

Mr Wayne Gabriel, Chief Marketing Officer, Toyota Australia said: “It’s great to see tens of thousands of music lovers enjoying all that the Festival has to offer in hundreds of venues across the city of Tamworth in the opening weekend of the largest country music festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Toyota has been a proud supporter of the Toyota Country Music Festival for the past 27 years. We are passionate about inspiring people to start their impossible and the Toyota Star Maker competition is a perfect example of this. 

“2019 is a particularly special year as we celebrate 40 years of the Toyota Star Maker competition, which has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in country music. If the first weekend is any indication, this Festival is set to be one of the biggest.”

Festival Manager Barry Harley said it was great to see so many people in Tamworth over the first weekend of the festival.

“We’ve seen a really strong turnout in venues right across the city over the first weekend with many people arriving earlier than in previous years to make the most of the 10 days, which is great for the festival,” said Mr Harley.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the Toyota Country Music Festival is recognised as one of the top 10 festivals in the world.

“The Toyota Country Music Festival has grown to become one of the world’s most iconic festivals, putting our region and country music front and centre for 10 days in January, with many flow on benefits year-round.

“This is a festival that has something for everyone and I encourage you to head to Tamworth and experience all that the Festival has to offer in 2019,” Mr Anderson said.

Held over ten days from 18 until 27 January 2019, the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth is a Festival experience like no other with more than 300,000 visitors expected, 700 artists performing at over 2,800 events across 120 venues. 

For all ticketing and festival details head to www.tcmf.com.au.