Saddle up, Tamworth Country Music Festival is boot-scootin’ into New England
Subscribe
X

Get the latest from Beat

15.10.2019

Saddle up, Tamworth Country Music Festival is boot-scootin’ into New England

When?

Friday January 17 – Sunday January 26.

Where?

Taking place all over Tamworth in New South Wales – the nation’s country music capital – TCMF is bigger than Christmas; showcasing a whopping 700+ performers at over 2800 events, across 120 venues. You can fly into Tamworth’s airport from Sydney and then take a shuttle bus or hire a car, or go road trippin’ (it’s about a 12-and-a-half-hour trek from Melbourne’s CBD, one way).

Who?

TCMF is a ten-day treat for those who like everything from traditional, Americana, rock, blues, roots, alt-country, bluegrass and honky-tonk music. Featuring orthodox twang through to some cheeky takes on tradition (The Pigs’ hillbilly-styled covers of everything from ‘Single Ladies’ to ‘Devil Inside’, for example), there’s something to satisfy all flavours of country-lovers.

The history

Due to celebrate its 48th year in 2020, TCMF is Australia’s biggest country music festival and the second biggest festival of its kind in the world. It’s also been a launchpad for the careers of some of the biggest names nationally and internationally in country music (think everyone from Keith Urban to Kasey Chambers, with the latter appearing again next year).

Tips for punters

Tamworth heaves during the festival, so you really need to get wriggle on with booking transport and accommodation. Helpfully, the TCMF website has links to local accommodation suitable for a range of budgets, from campers through to luxury lovers. You can also download the Official Guide App to help plan and navigate your festival. Although, if you go old-school and order a hardcopy festival guide, you get a free CD, which is neat.

Must-sees

Given that it’s now impossible to see the Highwaymen (respectfully, two are dead and Willie is never getting a visa) the 4 Highwaymen – the Aussie tribute to four of country’s greatest – is nigh on a must. They sell-out shows at TCMF every year. The Toyota Country Music Cavalcade is also a hoot – it’s a Moomba-style float procession, but country. On top of that, Cold Chisel have announced that their Blood Moon tour will also be heading to Tamworth as part of the 2020 festival.

Big golden guitar

You’d be remiss not to swing by the Big Golden Guitar, the 12-metre tribute to twang and a replica of the coveted Golden Guitar Award (Australian country music’s night of nights), and its tourist centre, which features the personal guitars of country greats, a wax museum and will be home to a new National Guitar Museum opening in late 2019.

Throw your hat in the ring

An undoubted annual TCMF highlight is always the Toyota Country Music Busking Championships, which sees in the vicinity of 400 buskers battling it out on Peel Street. Head along to check out some crazy-good, untapped talent. Better yet, sign up for a bash at the title yourself.

One costume recommendation

You could go full cowboy/girl, but the locals might think you’re a knob. Go instead for an official festival hat, the proceeds of which go to charity.

One drink that encapsulates TCMF

Beer, but nothing boutique.

Tickets

The vast bulk of TCMF events are free. However, some events are ticketed (for example, tickets for The Concert for Joy – the extravaganza featuring everyone from Paul Kelly to Don Walker, which celebrates the life and songs of the grand dame of Aussie country Joy McKean – range from $39-$119). Check out the ticketing information for individual artists here.

Grab tickets and find out more about Tamworth Country Music Festival at tcmf.com.au.