New research by the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) has revealed revenue from live country music performances has surged past 2019 levels.

The Valuing Australian Country Music 2025 report has confirmed that Australia's country music scene is part of a global surge in popularity for the music genre.

According to the CMAA, country music revenue from live performances—festivals, concerts, small venues—has been the standout, with attendances and patron spending easily surpassing the levels previously reported in 2019.

The CMAA estimates country music generated $1.09 billion during the 2024-25 financial year.

The report is the result of eight months of research by a team of undergraduates from JMC Academy and Collarts in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, led by project manager and report author CMAA Chair Dobe Newton.

The project was supported by Create NSW, Creative Australia and the Tamworth Regional Council.

Among the key findings:

  • Total industry revenue was up 77 per cent from $619 million in 2019
  • Live performance revenue reached $560 million, representing 51 per cent of the industry’s total and a 93 per cent increase on 2019 figures
  • 137 dedicated country music festivals drew 684,000 patrons, while 49 major concerts attracted 490,000 fans and 542 small venues presented more than 16,000 gigs that attracted 1.87 million patrons
  • Live Nation reported a 4.5-fold increase year-on-year in country shows booked in Australia
  • Country music live performances created 2086 full-time equivalent jobs
  • Country streaming on Australia’s Spotify platform Australia has increased by 115 per cent in the last three years, with Australia confirmed as the third-largest and fastest-growing country market globally by Spotify AUNZ
  • According to Spotify, Australia has the world’s highest percentage (74 per cent) of new country listeners.

View the full results here.

Counting down to Tamworth Country Music Festival

The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 has identified events such as Tamworth Country Music Festival as a catalyst for regional visitation.

Strengthening and showcasing events that drive economic benefits for regional NSW is one of the key actions of the strategy.

Venue seats are already filling and campsites are being claimed following the the second artist announcement for the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2026.

Kasey Chambers will return to Tamworth Town Hall after a year of touring her new album, Backbone, in Australia and the United States.

The Wiggles will return to the festival for a second year in a row. Earlier this year, children's band launched its first country album, which featured collaborations with Tamworth Country Music Festival artists like Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolfe Brothers and Travis Collins.

The Wiggles will end their Tree of Wisdom Big Show Arena Spectacular National Tour in Tamworth and close out the festival with one-show only at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on 25 January.

Tamworth Country Music Festival is supported proudly by Destination NSW.