Tamworth Country Music Festival Responds to LONGHAUL Clash

Organisers behind the Tamworth Country Music Festival have welcomed the arrival of the new LONGHAUL Festival, despite concerns over the two major country music events taking place on the same weekend in January 2027.

The inaugural LONGHAUL Festival, announced on Tuesday (July 21st), will bring international headliners Kacey Musgraves and Kane Brown to Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane on January 22nd, 23rd, and 24th – directly overlapping with the final days of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the 2027 Golden Guitar Awards.

In a statement to Rolling Stone AU/NZ, TCMF Executive Producer Peter Ross showed no concern. “The announcement of the LONGHAUL Festival in January is another positive sign that country music in Australia continues to grow,” he said. “More opportunities for artists to perform, for audiences to enjoy live music and for the genre to reach new fans can only strengthen the industry.”

He confirmed TCMF organisers were aware of LONGHAUL’s plans ahead of the public announcement, and wished the festival well. At the same time, he stressed that TCMF occupies a different space within Australia’s country music landscape.

“There is certainly room in the market for touring festivals and concert series,” he said. “However, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is something fundamentally different. It is a destination, an industry gathering, a cultural institution and a community celebration that transforms an entire city for ten days every January.”

Ross pointed to the festival’s long history, noting that Tamworth has continued to evolve over more than five decades while remaining focused on Australian country music. “We fully expect to still be welcoming artists and audiences to Tamworth long after many festivals have come and gone. We are confident of our continued longevity.”

Read his full statement below.

Musgraves and Brown – making exclusive Australian festival appearances – will be joined at LONGHAUL by Charles Wesley Godwin, Maddox Batson, Ava Hall, Beau Shearer, Taylor Moss, Tyla Rodrigues, and more. Tickets will first be available through an Afterpay presale, beginning at 12pm on Friday, July 24th. All other presales will kick off at 1pm on Monday, July 27th, before general on sale at 2pm on Friday, July 31st. All times are local. Sign up for presale here.

Ross’ full statement: 

“The announcement of the LONGHAUL Festival in January is another positive sign that country music in Australia continues to grow. More opportunities for artists to perform, for audiences to enjoy live music and for the genre to reach new fans can only strengthen the industry. We were aware of their impending announcement and we genuinely wish the organisers every success.

“At the same time, it is worth remembering that not all country music festivals are the same.

“The Tamworth Country Music Festival is proudly the longest-running country music festival in the world. For more than half a century, it has evolved into something far greater than a concert series. It is a whole-of-city celebration of Australian country music and the community that surrounds it.

“Our primary focus has always been, and will always remain, Australian country music. We celebrate our own artists, songwriters and musicians while warmly welcoming international performers and visitors who want to be part of the experience. We are excited to see many great Australian artists included in the LONGHAUL lineup. We welcome opportunities that help grow the industry and provide platforms for artists to connect with audiences. Each year, Tamworth hosts more than 700 performers across the Festival’s 10 days.

“Tamworth is a festival for everyone. Whether you are a household name, an emerging artist playing your very first showcase, a busker on Peel Street, or someone chasing the dream of a Golden Guitar one day, there is a place for you here. We are committed to creating genuine creative pathways that support artists at every stage of their careers.

“Likewise, the Festival belongs to everyone who loves country music. Whether you’re camping in a caravan, staying in a hotel, buying front-row theatre tickets or simply enjoying the free entertainment across the city, Tamworth offers an experience that is accessible, welcoming and uniquely Australian.

“There is certainly room in the market for touring festivals and concert series, and they play an important role in the industry’s success. However, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is something fundamentally different. It is a destination, an industry gathering, a cultural institution and a community celebration that transforms an entire city for ten days every January.

“After more than 50 years, we’ve weathered changing music trends, economic downturns, floods, droughts, pandemics and just about every challenge imaginable. We’ve learnt that the secret to longevity isn’t chasing trends, it’s staying true to who you are while continuing to evolve.

“The Golden Guitar Awards, which takes place in Tamworth on Saturday 23 January 2027, remains the pinnacle event for the Australian country music industry, and we look forward to welcoming artists, industry representatives and fans as they come together to celebrate the 47th Awards.

“We fully expect to still be welcoming artists and audiences to Tamworth long after many festivals have come and gone. We are confident of our continued longevity.

“Country music is thriving, and that’s something worth celebrating. We welcome anyone who contributes positively to the genre’s growth and look forward to continuing to play our role as Australia’s home of country music for generations to come.”