By Susan Schwartz
Australia is the third-largest international market for country music, and the fastest-growing streaming market driven by Gen Z.
This is according to the Country Music Association of Australia which says the industry generated $1.09 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.
The rising popularity of the genre will be played out at the Groundwater Country Music Festival for three days of free live music at Broadbeach between Elizabeth and Queensland avenues on the Gold Coast from October 17-19, 2025.
A highlight includes a panel conversation with some of the songwriters including Troy Cassar-Daley, Amy Sheppard and The Buckleys who will talk about the way they blend storytelling with simple melodies to create their hit songs. Catch them at the Kurrawa Big Top at 10.30am on Sunday, October 19.
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The full lineup includes:
Aaron D’Arcy
Abbie Ferris
Ally Row
Amy Sheppard
Andy Penkow
Beachside Line Dancing with Chris Watson
Bluegrass breakfast with Huxley and Friel
Boness Brothers
Brad Cox
Brewn
Brooke Supple
Casey Barnes
Cassidy-Rae
Chloe Marks and the Mayhem
Chloe Styler
Claudia Tripp
Cole Finley
Country Music Cocktails
DJ Colonels Country Music Cottage
Don Rogers Band
Duncan Toombs
Dylan Wright
Emily Grace Taylor
Felicity Kircher
Greer Sullivan
Harmony Breen
Hayley Jensen
Haystack Mountain Hermits
Jackson Dean
Josh Setterfield
Lane Pittman
Liam Brew
Max Jackson
Michael Honan
Minor Gold
Nicki Lane
Piper Rodrigues
Rachel Bostock
Rex G Miller
Round Mountain Girls
Ruby Shay
Sara Berki
Seajem Sounds
Shane Smith & The Saints
Sons of Atticus
Sykamore
Tane-Rua
Tate Cole
The Buckleys
The High Street Drifters
The Honky Tonk Swingers
The Pickups
The Pleasures
The Tony Q Band
The Wolfe Brothers
Troy Cassar-Daley
Tyler Rodrigues
Vincent Neil Emerson
