Whether this is your first Tamworth (which starts on 19 January and runs until the 28th) or you’re an old hand, it could always be useful to have some tips about which artists to see when and where. The following recommendations are based on either seeing the artists play previously and therefore feeling confident that they’ll put on a good show, or knowing their recorded music and thinking they will be at the very least interesting or fun or both live. This selection includes some shows I’ll be going to, so I’m not recommending artists I wouldn’t see/spend money on myself.
**The shows are free unless indicated otherwise. Most of the artists mentioned have other dates but I’m not listing them all – you may wish to check the tcmf.com.au programme to find out when they are. Not featured: shows at the TRECC or in Nundle**
My number one tip is the Toyota Fanzone on Peel Street – you could stay here all day, every day, and see fifteen-minute sets from over a dozen artists each day. It’s a festival microcosm and completely free. There are also free concerts every night in Bicentennial Park with a changing, varied roster.
Second tip: If you want to park yourself at one venue, make it The Tamworth on Marius Street. It has a great beer garden where you can comfortably spend a few hours, and a great line-up to boot, most of it free (don’t look on their website for the full line-up, though, go to their Instagram profile). You’re also likely to find a parking spot relatively close by. It’s also right near The Press, which is another place where you can easily spend a few hours.
By date:
Friday, 19 January 2024
8.30 a.m. – Pete Denahy’s Breakfast Show – on every day throughout the festival at West Tamworth Leagues Club
12.30 p.m. – Jimbo Stokes, The Tamworth
5 p.m. – Piper Butcher, The Press
8 p.m. – Georgia State Line, The Tamworth
9 p.m. – Ben Mastwyk and His Millions, The Tamworth
10 p.m. – The Re-Mains, The Tamworth
Saturday, 20 January 2024
3.30 p.m. – Luke O’Shea, Tamworth Services Club (various dates) TICKETS
3.30 p.m. – The Mezcaltones, Wests Diggers – on every day from now until the 27th
5 p.m. – Beccy Cole, West Tamworth Leagues Club TICKETS
5 p.m. – Katie Bates, The Tamworth
7 p.m. – Andrew Clermont’s International Supper Club – on every day from now until the end of the festival at North Tamworth Bowlo TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – Allison Forbes, Tamworth Services Club TICKETS
9 p.m. – Charlie Fittler, Post Office Hotel
Sunday, 21 January 2024
12 p.m. – Rusty Pickups, Wests Diggers
2 p.m. – Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes, The Press TICKETS
3 p.m. – Lily Grace and Sari Abbott, Moonshiners TICKETS
4 p.m. – Sara Berki, The Tamworth
5 p.m. – Finnian Johnson, Tudor Hotel
7 p.m. – Bonnie Kellett and Courtney Keil, Moonshiners TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – Angus Gill, Tamworth Services Club TICKETS
Monday, 22 January 2024
12.30 p.m. – Rory Phillips, The Tamworth
2 p.m. – Gleny Rae Virus, The Press
7 p.m. – Tom Curtain, The Longyard TICKETS
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
11.30 a.m. – Kiara Rodrigues, West Tamworth Leagues Club TICKETS
12 p.m. – Darlinghurst, Moonshiners, TICKETS
3 p.m. – Colin Lillie and Billie-Jo Porter, Moonshiners TICKETS
3.30 p.m. – Jo Caseley, The Oasis Hotel
5 p.m. – Ryan Daykin, The Press
7 p.m. – Bud Rokesky, The Tamworth
7.30 p.m. – Melody Moko, Grounded TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – Shane Nicholson, Capitol Theatre TICKETS
Wednesday, 24 January 2024
10.45 a.m. – Josie Laver, The Atrium
11.45 a.m. – Felicity Dowd, Tamworth Square
12.30 p.m. – Minor Gold, The Tamworth
1 p.m. – Allison Forbes, Kelly Brouhaha and Toria Richings – The Welder’s Dog
2.30 p.m. – Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, Capitol Theatre TICKETS
4.30 p.m. – Loren Ryan and Nathan Lamont, Moonshiners TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – Ashleigh Dallas, Tamworth Town Hall TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – Brad Butcher, Tamworth Services Club TICKETS
9 p.m. – Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers, The Tamworth
11 p.m. – Lachlan Bryan’s Drunken Piano Bar, The Press
Thursday, 25 January 2024
10 a.m. – Maton Showcase, various artists, West Tamworth Leagues Club TICKETS
1 p.m. – Duncan Toombs, West Tamworth Leagues Club TICKETS
2 p.m. – The Weeping Willows, Capitol Theatre TICKETS
2.30 p.m. – Henry Wagons and Lachlan Bryan, The Tamworth TICKETS
2.30 p.m. – Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley, West Tamworth Leagues Club TICKETS
4.30 p.m. – Rebel and Roar Showcase, The Press
5 p.m. – The Buckleys, The Tamworth
6 p.m. – Jen Mize, The Tamworth
7 p.m. – Hayley Jensen, Moonshiners TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – The Pleasures, Tamworth Services Club TICKETS
8 p.m. – Dwayne Picklegun (Shane Nicholson), The Press
10 p.m. – Kingswood, The Tamworth TICKETS
Friday, 26 January 2024
12 p.m. – Riley Catherall, The Tamworth
1.30 p.m. – Amber Lawrence, West Tamworth Leagues Club TICKETS
2 p.m. – Michael Waugh, The Press TICKETS
4 p.m. – Ben Leece, The Tamworth
5 p.m. – The Buckleys, The Tamworth
6 p.m. – Lisa De Angelis, The Press
7 p.m. – Catherine Britt, Moonshiners TICKETS
7.30 p.m. – The Ultimate Bluegrass Pickin’ Party, Capitol Theatre TICKETS
9 p.m. – Copperline, The Welder’s Dog
Saturday, 27 January 2024
10 a.m. – Fleur Wiber, Post Office Hotel
11 a.m. – Fanny Lumsden, Tamworth Town Hall TICKETS
1 p.m. – Sons of Atticus & Corey Legge, The Welder’s Dog
6.15 p.m. – Ruby Shay, Riverside Camp Grounds
8 p.m. – Sweet Talk, The Tamworth
9 p.m. – Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, The Tamworth
10 p.m. – Andy Golledge, The Tamworth TICKETS
Sunday, 28 January 2024
12 p.m. – Lyn Bowtell and Her Famous Friends, The Longyard TICKETS
