It's that time of year again where sweet smells drift from the gum trees, the sun seems to never sleep, and an insane amount of live music is given away for free in a normally sleepy country town.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival has kicked off its 54th iteration, and the lines of caravans are creeping into town. Day one has the festival already in full swing.
The length of Peel St is full of buskers, and the FanZone stage is pumping along. Stalls offer any and all of your desires from food to trinkets, and cowboy hats to temporary tattoos.
STO/NES opens the Tailgate Stage, which is truly atop the back of a large truck, singing the song she wrote for her mother that has the crowd bopping along. Busker Alex Kosenko is smooth, while Matt Barratt sings sweetly as you move through the street.
There's so much to see and hear, The Post Office Hotel is full of patrons enjoying a cold one, while The Tudor features more of a rock edge to their tunes. The Tudor's roof is a perfect place to watch the sun slowly start to move towards the horizon.
The main stage at Tamworth offers a theme each night of the festival, and tonight is the Golden Guitar winners from last year. Kristy Cox takes the stage with commanding sweetness, stating: "I like things that don't go together, like red wine and coke," before singing, "some things don't go together like you and me." The sound is full and joyous.
Luke O'Shea follows, cheeky as always. 'Dharawal' creates a full and transcendent air, O'Shea's voice rich and warm. His song about a smitten lollipop man has the crowd singing along with big smiles.
Ashleigh Dallas, daughter of country royalty Rex Dallas, is soulful and authentic, singing "you are sunshine, even when the storms are rolling". She is a real treat, her song 'Holy Water' deep and mystical as Dallas plays fiddle and sings.
Zac and George top the line-up, starting off slow with an Uncle Kracker's 'Follow Me', creating a heartwarming sing-along. 'More Than A Song' captures the night, sentimental and moving, it's pretty close to perfect songwriting.
The full band kicks in to start the party, as purple and orange lights float across the audience. A firework show caps off the performance, adding a majestic touch to a fantastic opening day.
The party continues at The Post Office Hotel with Jared Taylor's band, classics coming thick and fast, from 'April Sun' to 'Wagon Wheel'. Over at The Tudor, Crawfish Stew perfectly shred through the classics featuring guest performers such as Mackenzie Pringle whose belt is something to be envied.
Guitarist Charlie Sneddon rips through 'Paranoid' as easily as breathing, before STO/NES makes a guest appearance for 'Summer Of 69', cheekily changing the lyrics to summer of '26. Crawfish go deep into the night and you crawl into bed satisfied and smiling.
Day two welcomes you in with more exceptional sounds from the buskers, Ziggy McNeil a standout alongside Gavin Chatelier. Ruby Holden has a sweetly mournful voice, as she coos "feelin' so blue".
Bolton Crook takes the Post Office Stage with characteristic power, while Jacynta Lee rocks the Tudor with her country band. Cody Walker has the Fanzone Stage sweet and lively, while next door Josh and The Connors have made the trip from New Zealand, the young band bringing a perfectly blended sound.
The Jeffries bring a saxophone feel to 'Slow Burn' that makes you wish it was in the original, while Chloe and James are smooth as whiskey. Little Toby, a nine-year-old solo guitarist, wins the crowd as they clap and dance along to 'Country Road', as Seajem Sounds carve up that great country feel. Sunday Lemonade draw massive crowds for their feel-good folk.
Uncle Bob's Jug Band have The Services Club rockin' and rollin' with their deep south-inspired fiery tunes, washboard and box stick included. It's impossible to get a seat, so it's over to The Tamworth Hotel where Loretta Miller warms up the afternoon with smooth country, the sun slowly falling.
At the Fanzone Stage, Copperline play the Americana Showcase. They're moody, tight and tell a heck of a story. 'Lonely Barstool Lady' is classic country played to perfection.
At the main stage, it's Girls' Night as Jay Santilli plays. She reminds the crowd why 'Makes You Happy' is such a great song, releasing her vocals with power and grit. Abbie Ferris keeps the party rolling as the last golden sun-rays descend. She's fun and flirty in her jean shorts and white crop top. 'I'm On My Way', co-written with Morgan Evans, is a nice reminder to enjoy the journey.
At the Press Basement, Jayne Denham brings her world-class vocals and heartfelt storytelling. 'Beautiful World' is introduced as the song that helped her father when he had cancer, as she joins her brother on the keys in a sentimental moment.
'You Outta Know' has the crowd up dancing, and they stay glued to the dance floor for the remainder of the show as hit after hit flows. Denham is a vocal powerhouse.
The fun never stops as The Welder's Dog hosts Charlie Scott. He balances energy with soulful realism expertly, and it's the full emotional experience you crave from a show.
Tim Beau Bennett adds brilliant sparkly embellishments on his slide guitar, as 'The Other Side' is the kind of songwriting that cuts through. You're a little more sore and sun-kissed than you were yesterday, but that big smile stays as you drift off to sleep.
Day three shines bright with the promise of more world-class entertainment. Michael Arrighi takes a day off from his musical puppet show to switch between banjo, mandolin and guitar as he busks with a smile as bright as the sun.
Aroha Williams absolutely stuns as a one-woman show, phenomenal on guitar with a show-stopping vocal. If you ever have the chance, watch this artist. Bit Dusty is a solo frantic explosion of power rock that begs attention and pulls you in, while Grant Luke is fantastic, playing chords and melody on his Maton.
Time for the daily beer at The Post Office where Rider Hawkins is bringing that honky tonk twang complete with fiddle and lapsteel. The tunes are smooth as butter on warm bread, and the place is dancing within minutes. It's a real treat.
The TSA Showcase is on the Fanzone Stage, where they tell heartwarming stories about horses that resemble parents and other joyous tales. With so much to do, it's hard to choose where to go.
Moonshiners plays Creedence – The John Fogerty Tribute show, which has the air thick and gritty, just how it was all those years ago, but over at Tamworth City Bowling Club a wonderful songwriter night unfolds.
FretFest host Jane A Naoi who brings tears to your eyes with her tender songs reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. She is a must-hear artist. Coral Renee is the full package with her original songs, before Stu Daniels is a rugged voice full of character and story. Tameka steals the night with exceptional guitar work, perfect songs and a wonderful voice, despite having braces recently put on. It's a fantastic schedule of talent.
At The Courthouse, the buskers roundup is in full swing, Cast Iron Kid warming the heart before Emmy Lou Fox keeps the embers going. Gabi Forman's bluegrass sends the crowd into a frenzy, it's a real treat.
Benjamin Taggert impresses with beautiful guitar and harmonica, before Brandon Gaddes moves the crowd to tears with a song about his grandpa. Sally Jane is another standout from Western Australia. You've definitely broken in your boots, which feel good being taken off for bed, and that smile has't let up yet.
It's the bittersweet last day of your festival, and the wind has kicked up in protest. It seems unfair for it to continue the rest of the week without you. STO/NES again draws a huge crowd with 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)', who are suspiciously fresh for day four as they belt the Scottish classic and dance around.
Legendary backing vocalist Maz King joins for 'Proud Mary' with another guest appearance by Damien Black and AJ Simpson. Young Phoebie stuns with mature vocals while Abigail Wighton brings a delicate touch that hits down to your soul.
At the FanZone, Cassie Leopold (aka Darlinghurst) brings simmering energy that bursts forth with vocal power as big as her personality. She's a must-see for any festival goer.
Last year's Starmaker winner Felicity Kircher is up next, her smooth voice as delicious as honey on your Sunday toast. Her jazz-inflected band follow her every cue to perfection, adding sparkle to the soulful tracks.
Over to Wests where The Mezcaltones are a sight to see. Dressed in matching outfits, the two frontwomen – one on guitar and the other on vocals – are a show all of their own. Synchronised dance moves, Cinco de Mayo face masks and hula hoops come out.
The show is hard to describe, deep Mexican country would be close, but it's a joy with every swirl of the hand and growly vocal from the frontman. The dance off is a highlight, with the winners receiving fridge magnets to commemorate their feat.
Back to Peel St, where Georgia Kelly is a teen phenomenon, performing a soulful 'Landslide' as she expertly picks. She's one to watch. The main stage hosts Americana night, where Rusty Pickups sing bluegrass about sexually-confused pirates before The High Street Drifters are skilled and fluid. Riley Catherall incites the crowd to not keep beautiful things in cages, and it's certain that beautiful things are meant to be shared.
Sally-Anne Whitten & The Rumour Mill follow on from the Jagged Little Pill Anniversary show at the Press Basement, Whitten's vocals strong and emotive. The band are tight as the red guitar sings sweetly away.
It's time for the last trip to the Tudor, where Carrot Bowen and the Collective are unexpectedly joined by Screaming Jets frontman Dave Gleeson for 'Better'. It's an appropriate way to end, with the celebration of music shared between mates, musicians and strangers who have now become friends.
Tamworth proves year after year that the world is a better place when music is in the middle. Cheers Tamworth, you're always the brightest star on the year's musical calendar. Until next year, it's down with this beer, and off to smile for the last sleep of the trip.
2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival continues daily until 25 January.
