Still more than half a year out from the 2025 instalment of Gympie Music Muster, event organisers have delivered their first artist drop with a who's who of Australian country and roots-rock headed to Amamoor Creek State Forest.
Simply coined the Muster by regulars, the annual music festival has been staged every year (aside from the COVID-affected 2021-22) since 1982, and is a celebration of community, music, and Australian bush culture.Again settling into the beautiful surrounds of Amamoor Creek State Forest near Gympie, and after attracting its biggest attendance this year (50,000), the Muster will be staged 28-31 August. 2025 is shaping up to be one of (if not) the biggest artist line-up in the event's history with the programme already boasting some of Australia's finest country music and country-rock royalty.
From Adam Harvey, The Audreys, The Buckleys, Choirboys, Daryl Braithwaite, Fanny Lumsden, and Jayne Denham, to Josh Setterfield, Kasey Chambers, Shane Nicolson, Thirsty Merc, Tori Forsyth, Troy Cassar-Daley, and The Wolfe Brothers, the bill is flooded with talent.
"The team is thrilled to be kicking off the first artist announcement with a bunch of Muster favourites, some top Aussie bands and some of our Canadian friends as well," Program Director Bec Anderson says.
"We're particularly looking forward to welcoming back some artists who we haven't seen gracing our stages in a while. We think this will be a bit of a nostalgic experience for our long-term Muster mates but also something fresh for everyone."
Canadian trucker country and southern rock group, The Road Hammers will also fly in for the Muster. "Gympie Muster has been on our bucket list for a long time, and we can't wait to rock y'all in 2025," he Road Hammers' Jason McCoy says.
"From my first trip in 1996, Australia has always felt like home, and I can't wait to bring the Hammers to the Gympie Muster in 2025, this is going to be epic!"
The Muster will also see its most-capped performer return, with living legend Troy Cassar-Daley notching his 22nd appearance. "This festival holds huge personal significance for me with memories of driving all the way from Tamworth to Gympie in the same day, in an EH Holden wagon, to play my first Muster in 1992 with The Blue Heeler Band, and finally meeting my beautiful wife Laurel there in '93," Troy says.
"They are amazing times that have travelled with me my whole life. The two shows in 2025 will be big sharing moments of songs that have been like old friends to me and I can't wait to play them for everyone up at the Muster."
Fanny Lumsden is another Muster regular who's keen to bring the family and set up camp in 2025. "We are absolutely thrilled to be coming back to the Muster again in 2025," she says. "Camping in the bush, families, friends and country music – honestly what could be better?"
While Thirsty Merc's Matt Smith is keen to return to a festival the band last played in the mid 2000s, with the region now his home. "We had a slamming gig last time we played the Gympie Muster and we are stoked to be coming back after 15 years," he says.
"Personally, back then I never could have imagined moving into the Gympie community and loving it so much. Gympie is my home now and I love the people and the area. The country crowds are the best crowds in Australia. Local gigs for me are rare these days, so I'm looking forward to inviting the band around to my place for a 'cuppa' after the show!"
Tickets are available.
Gympie Music Muster (Amamoor Creek State Forest) takes place 28-31 August, 2025.
Gympie Music Muster 2025 Line-up
Adam HarveyAndrew Swift
Andy Golledge Band
Andy Penkow
The Audreys
Brittany Maggs
The Buckleys
Caitlyn Shadbolt
Choirboys
Colin Buchanan
Darlinghurst
Daryl Braithwaite
Dean Perrett
Fanny Lumsden
Jayne Denham
Jenny Mitchell
Jetty Road
Josh Setterfield
Kasey Chambers
Kevin Bennett & The Flood
Little Quirks
Matt Ward
The Road Hammers
Route 33
Sara Storer
Shane Nicolson
Thirsty Merc
Tori Darke
Tori Forsyth
Troy Cassar-Daley
Vixens of Fall
Wade Forster
The Wet Whistles
Will Day
The Wolfe Brothers
Plus more to be announced
