As the dust settles on another fantastic CMC Rocks QLD event in Ipswich over the weekend, it’s time to save the date for next year’s festival in March.
Returning to Willowbank Raceway from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March 2025, the festival promises to deliver another incredible lineup of artists from seasoned legends to rising stars and the hottest homegrown talent.
Ipswich City Council Chief Executive Officer Sonia Cooper said she was delighted that CMC Rocks is returning to the region in 2025, promising to be a huge drawcard for country music fans from Ipswich, interstate and internationally.
“Council is proud to continue as a major sponsor of the event and supporter of live music,” Ms Cooper said.
“It injects millions of dollars into the Ipswich economy. We have hosted the festival since 2015 and since then we’ve seen the reputation and popularity of the event grow and grow, helping to put the city on the map and contributing about $11 million to our local economy each year.
“This is the southern hemisphere’s largest international country music festival and it generates more than 61,000 visitor nights in Ipswich, attracting about 19,000 visitors to this beautiful city.
“Like all country music fans, we can’t wait to hear who the headline acts will be 2025 and we look forward to putting our planning for next year’s event into full swing.”
Chairman of Chugg Entertainment Michael Chugg said he was thrilled to be announcing the dates for next year’s event off the back of an incredibly successful 2024 festival.
“We know fans travel from far and wide to attend CMC Rocks each year, so we wanted to get the community excited and dates in the calendar for our 2025 instalment,” Mr Chugg said.
“Another stellar lineup is already in the pipeline, and we can’t wait to reveal it later this year”.
CMC Rocks QLD raised the bar last weekend, playing host to over 23,000 music lovers. Fans were treated to sets from some of the world’s finest local and international chart-toppers and emerging country stars – from headliners Lainey Wilson, Tyler Hubbard and Chris Young, to Morgan Wade, Megan Moroney, Casey Barnes, Cooper Alan, Lane Pittman and more.
Spirits soared as fans descended on Willowbank Raceway on Friday afternoon to claim their spots in front of the Stampede and Rebel Stages, purchase merchandise, and explore the expanded festival site with all-new ferris wheel, Casamigos Tequila Garden and Balter Cerveza Bar, Aussie Footy Shorts Mullet Bar, YETI Water Silo and more.
The Songwriters Show remained a festival staple with Friday’s instalment showcasing Casey Barnes, Chris Young, Morgan Wade and Nate Smith in an intimate up-close and personal acoustic in-the-round style set, showcasing their incredible talent under the all-new Tailgate Stage big top tent.
Bryan Martin turned it up a notch, with the crowd singing along to every word of his hit song ‘We Ride’, before Megan Moroney wowed with her debut Australian performance. Casey Barnes never fails to impress, a hometown crowd showing up in force to catch the local legend and his incredible band.
Chris Young delivered an epic close to the festival’s first day, his headline set serving up hit after hit from his extensive catalogue, along with a taste of his forthcoming album Young Love & Saturday Nights.
On Saturday, Priscilla Block played her first festival set wearing her iconic safety vest, signing hats and vests for lucky fans in the front row. Morgan Wade’s cover of ‘Jessie’s Girl’ had the crowd begging for more, while Kameron Marlowe continued the good vibes with his hit single ‘Girl On Fire’ and a cover of Big & Rich’s ‘Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).
Lainey Wilson, Tyler Hubbard, Bryan Martin and Ian Munsick performed an unforgettable Songwriters Show to a capacity crowd, sharing instruments and stories with a captivated audience. Saturday standout Drake Milligan was the ultimate showman, before Cooper Alan worked the crowd, laying down a stunning cover of ‘What About Me’.
Even with the expansion of Big Time Charlie’s Honky Tonk Bar, VAVO’s Saturday night set was packed to the rafters as punters were treated to the ultimate dance party of remixed country hits.
In his debut Australian performance, Oliver Anthony had the crowd hanging off every word, closing his anticipated set with viral song ‘Rich Men North Of Richmond’. Confetti cannons went off for Saturday headliner Tyler Hubbard, on his first solo CMC Rocks visit.
On Sunday, Jackson Dean cemented himself as a festival favourite, while Ian Munsick wowed with his original songs, a throwback medley of ‘No Scrubs’, ‘Toxic’ and ‘Say My Name’, and a stunning cover of ‘Red Solo Cup’ followed by Storme Warren’s touching tribute to Toby Keith.
After three days of practice, line dancing skills were on show for the final day of the Honky Tonk Stomp under the expert guidance of Chris Watson. Plenty of fresh mullet cuts and beard trims left CMC Rocks, thanks to the Aussie Footy Shorts Mullet Bar and the all-new Beard Bar.
Accompanied by an extraordinary fireworks display to close out an epic three days, Lainey Wilson’s explosive Sunday night headline set featured songs from her Grammy Award-winning album Bellbottom Country, along with deeper cuts to satisfy fans old and new. Her anticipated debut visit is followed by multiple sold out Sydney and Melbourne shows later this week.
Queensland Tourism Minister the Honourable Michael Healy MP said Queensland has boot-scooted its way to the top after securing another two-year deal with CMC Rocks QLD.
“The event has gone from strength to strength since relocating to Queensland in 2015,” Minister Healy said.
“It is an iconic Queensland event with people travelling from all over Australia and the world to see the biggest country music stars and to kick up the dust with their mates.”
Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive Officer Patricia O’Callaghan said Queensland has fast become the home of country music in Australia.
“Lainey Wilson says it best – so buckle up because Queensland has a ‘heart like a truck'”, Ms O’Callaghan said.
“We are focused on supercharging our events to grow our events calendar to $2 billion by 2032 and securing CMC Rocks for a further two years is a part of that pipeline of events.
“Events like this are key to the growth of our visitor economy with those 23,000 fans from CMC Rocks dispersing throughout the state for a Queensland holiday.”
Country music lovers from around Australia and the world gather at CMC Rocks QLD each March to share their love for this timeless genre, take in sets from the world’s hottest music stars and enjoy an unrivalled festival experience. As the heart of country music beats stronger than ever in Willowbank, CMC Rocks QLD is renowned for delivering an electrifying blend of talent and passion to the country community.
The Queensland Government is proud to support CMC Rocks QLD through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, showcasing Australia’s best live events in Australia’s best destinations.
Stay tuned for the full CMC Rocks QLD 2025 Artist Lineup – Coming later this year.
Images courtesy of CMC Rocks Facebook page.
