Tyler Childers, Bailey Zimmerman and James Johnston will lead a packed day of country music when Strummingbird takes over Newcastle Foreshore on Saturday 17 October.
The all-ages festival brings international favourites and Australian talent to the waterfront, with a lineup stretching from acoustic storytelling and Appalachian folk to country rock.
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Childers returns following a sold-out Australian visit in 2025, bringing songs from his Rick Rubin-produced album Snipe Hunter and a sound steeped in bluegrass, gospel and folk. Zimmerman adds hits including “Fall In Love” and “Rock and a Hard Place”, while Wingham-raised Johnston has plenty of singalong ammunition in “Raised Like That”, “Small Town” and “My People”.
Cooper Alan, Brad Cox, Stella Lefty and Dexter & The Moonrocks also feature on the Newcastle bill, alongside Cam, Cigarettes @ Sunset, Kaitlin Butts and Noah Rinker. Australian favourites Sons of the East will bring their blend of blues, country, soul and folk, with Briana Dinsdale, Mack Geiger and Sara Berki adding more reasons to settle in for the day.
Local audiences will have plenty to cheer for when Max Jackson takes the stage. Having honed her craft in Newcastle’s country music scene, Jackson arrives with consecutive CMAA Female Artist of the Year wins under her belt. Joining her on the Newcastle program is Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Loren Ryan, whose music weaves traditional language into contemporary acoustic songwriting, giving regional talent a place alongside the international drawcards.
There’ll be dancing between sets, too, with Maddison Glover leading line dancing sessions and Late Night Riot with Willie Pake bringing country tunes to the DJ decks.
Strummingbird takes over Newcastle Foreshore on Saturday 17 October 2026. For tickets and further information, visit strummingbird.com.au.
