Back for its third incarnation, country music fans roll up 'cause Ridin' Hearts Festival is a must-attend sonic rodeo of 2025.
Again taking over spaces in Sydney and Melbourne this October, and from the team who produces CMC Rocks QLD, event organisers have locked in US country superstar Megan Moroney as the headline act.With a trio of global bangers: 'Tennessee Orange', 'Am I Okay?', and 'I'm Not Pretty', Megan just dropped a new song, 'You Had To Be There' with Kenny Chesney. "As y'all know, I write about things that are important to me. . . and becoming friends with Kenny Chesney last summer was undoubtedly a highlight of my career and my life.
"I wrote out the lyrics and gifted this song to him for Christmas and thankfully he loved it; so excited for y'all to hear it 🤠🌴🏟️," says Megan who was crowned New Artist Of The Year at both the ACM and CMA Awards.
Joining the emo cowgirl will be a trio of American artists led by Nate Smith ('Whiskey On You' and 'World On Fire') whose current single is the tear-jerker 'Dads Don't Die'. "I hope it means as much to you guys as much as it does to me. Love y'all 🫶🏼."
Then there's Sam Barber collaborator Avery Anna ('Indigo', 'Restless') who brings her own swag of hits to Ridin' Hearts – fresh from playing CMC Rocks 2025 – including 'Narcissist', 'Grave' and 'Mr Predictable' (the latter two featuring on her just-released sophomore album 'Let Go Letters').
"I am so blessed to play shows, so blessed to get to record music, and so blessed to share that music with you," Avery posted. "Truly I am so grateful for every single one of you, YOU made this possible for me. I hope that these songs can heal just as much as we have hurt."
A newcomer burning brightly is Arkansas singer-songwriter Waylon Wyatt, the 18 year old recently performing at the world-renowned Stagecoach Festival before graduating high school just a few weeks later. He already has 3M monthly Spotify listeners with such gritty, earthy hits like 'Arkansas Diamond', 'Jailbreak' and 'Everything Under The Sun'. Join the bandwagon before Wyatt becomes a global household name.
Don't sleep either on Australia's own Lane Pittman, whose meteoric rise continues to explode at warp speed. His 2025 has already seen him open for Luke Coombs' Australian stadium tour, play CMC Rocks 2025 and Groundwater CMF, launch his own mini festival, Fresh Country, and last month interview NSW Premier Chris Minns talking about boots!
Other artists on the bill are Americans Blake Whiten ('Rollin' Stone', 'Breakin' My Heart') and Karley Scott Collins ('Quit You', 'Heavenly') as well as local talent Sara Berki ('Drinking For Free', 'Good Enough') and Lewis Love ('Can't See The Sky').
"Ridin' Hearts has captured the hearts of die-hard country fans and the country curious alike, drawing locals and fans from across Australia," Frontier Touring Chief Operating Officer, Susan Heymann says. "They're heading to the one-day city festivals in Sydney and Melbourne for an unforgettable day and night of the best music, great food and good times.
"We're thrilled to have Megan Moroney back after her knock-out debut at CMC Rocks – plus a whole line-up of fantastic country acts you won't want to miss."
Ridin' Hearts 2025 is also back with your favourite festival treats; from market stalls to mouth-watering food and drink, to the much-loved line dancing making its return.
2025 will also see the return of exclusive Diamond Club where you can level up your festival experience, the Bulldust Bar serving up its signature Ride 'Em Gambler cocktail, as well as the one-stop glitter shop, the Sparkle Station.
Tickets on sale from 12pm AEST on 2 June.
Ridin' Hearts Festival 2025 Tour Dates
Sat 25 Oct - Sydney ShowgroundSun 26 Oct - Caribbean Gardens (Melbourne)
Ridin' Hearts Festival 2025 Line-up
Megan MoroneyNate Smith
Avery Anna
Waylon Wyatt
Lane Pittman
Blake Whiten
Sara Berki
Karley Scott Collins
Lewis Love
