News October 7, 2016

CMC Rocks reveals full artist line-up

PRESS RELEASE:

Australia’s premiere Country and Roots Festival, CMC Rocks QLD, today reveals the full artist line-up for it’s epic 10^th Anniversary event, set to take place from Friday 24 – Sunday 26 March 2017 at Willowbank Raceway, Ipswich.

Global superstars DIXIE CHICKS, already announced as the festival’s headline act and returning to Australia for the first time in over ten years, will be joined by two-time GRAMMY winners LITTLE BIG TOWN, the second headliner for CMC Rocks 2017. Little Big Town, the reigning GRAMMY Country Duo/Group of the Year, and CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year, will make their debut Australian visit hot off the heels of extensive North American touring. With their massive career defining hit ‘Girl Crush’ winning Country Song of the Year at the GRAMMY and CMA Awards, Little Big Town will blow Australian audiences away come March with their hit laden repertoire and fantastic live show.

Following an unforgettable appearance at this year’s event, KIP MOOREreturns to the CMC festival stage as the event’s third headliner. The platinum-selling Nashville native will be gearing up to top his explosive main stage set which was a highlight of this year’s proceedings.

ARIA chart-topper, multi-platinum artist and local icon, LEE KERNAGHAN, will bring his distinctive brand of country back to CMC Rocks for the third time. Throughout his illustrious career, Lee has sold over 2.5 million albums, won 36 Golden Guitars, was named 2008 Australian of the Year, and in 2015 was awarded the ARIA Outstanding Achievement Award. His groundbreaking album ‘Spirit of the Anzacs’ was the highest-selling Australian album in 2015.

CMC Rocks once again delivers a second-to-none lineup for its 10^th Anniversary celebrations, showcasing some of the hottest acts currently sitting atop the US, UK and Australian charts. Twelve international stars will land in Australia for the 2017 event, featuring alongside an array of local favourites for the biggest birthday weekend ever!

Joining Dixie Chicks (USA), Little Big Town (USA), Kip Moore (USA) and Lee Kernaghan (Australia) on 2017’s A-List international roster are Tyler Farr (USA), Craig Campbell (USA), Charles Esten (USA), Michael Ray (USA), Eric Paslay (USA), Granger Smith (USA), Drew Baldridge (USA), The Shires (UK), and Ward Thomas (UK).

Local legends and rising stars round out the lineup; Morgan Evans, Adam Harvey, The McClymonts, The Wolfe Brothers, Jasmine Rae, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Brothers 3, Christie Lamb, Col Finley, Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters, Deep Creek Road, Imogen Clark, Kayla Mahon (NZ), Kaylens Rain, Mustered Courage and Viper Creek Band.

“There is no other country festival in the world that presents a main stage program with artists from Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK and Canada and it is a big part of the unique program that Aussie fans get to enjoy at CMC Rocks QLD”, said promoter Rob Potts. “Together with some of the absolute superstars of the genre, our line-ups over the years have featured many brand new breaking artists in a winning combination of legends, current hit makers and big stars of the future. It is always a blast to be able to bring these lineups to the amazing fans that come to our festival each year, allowing them to embrace their favorites of today and discover new and unknown faves of the future.”

‘Redneck Crazy’ hit-maker and ACM Award nominee TYLER FARR, is a superstar in the making. He’s just wrapped up as special guest on Brad Paisley’s world tour, has a brand new album co-produced by Jason Aldean in the works, and anthemic lead single ‘Our Town’ is currently making waves at US radio.

Beloved local country-rock star and multi CMC Award winner, MORGAN EVANS, will make a welcome return to the CMC stage after relocating to Nashville last year. He has made acclaimed appearances at CMA Music Fest and the Grand Ole Opry, and with new music on the way, Morgan is set to throw down an explosive festival set.

One of the festival’s favourite American visitors, CRAIG CAMPBELL, exists in a perfect sweet spot between tradition and modernity. Campbell is responsible for smash hits ‘Outta My Head’ and ‘Keep Them Kisses Comin’, and has five consecutive US hit singles and over half a million downloads to his name.

CHARLES ESTEN, otherwise known as Deacon Claybourne from hit US television series Nashville, joins the CMC Rocks bill straight off the back of non-stop touring across North America with his Nashville co-stars. Multi-talented Esten is a prolific actor-comedian-singer-songwriter, who will wow CMC Rocks audiences with a set that features an array of original songs alongside Nashville favourites.

In a UK country invasion, breakthrough duos THE SHIRES and WARD THOMAS will both land in Australia for anticipated CMC Rocks debuts in 2017. The Shires became the highest-selling country act in the UK last year, notching up five A-list singles at BBC Radio 2 and making a headline appearance at this year’s Glastonbury Music Festival. On arrival in Australia, they will have a brand new album, ‘My Universe’ under their belt. Recently claiming the mantle as the first homegrown country act to achieve a UK #1 album, sister duo Ward Thomas are stars on the rise, recently headlining iconic London venue O2 Arena.

Campers will enjoy an exclusive expanded festival program at the CMC Rocks 10^th Anniversary event, kicking off at the Jack Daniel’s White Rabbit Saloon at 3pm on Thursday and running through to 2am Friday morning. Campers will be able to access the grounds from midday on Thursday 23 March.

Returning for 2017 will be longtime host Storme Warren (USA), prolific television personality and host of one of the most popular country radio shows in North America, ‘Mornings with Storme Warren’ on The Highway. Joining Storme in the hosting role will be returning host Mike Carr, with Grizzly Adams resuming hosting duties in the Jack Daniels White Rabbit Saloon and Garden Bar.

CMC Rocks QLD’s Loyalty Pre-Sale once again completely sold out on the day of release, with all tickets going in an unprecedented six minutes.

General public on-sale begins at 9am AEST on Monday 10^th October, and demand is expected to be greater than ever for the 10^th Anniversary event. As usual, there will be a limit of 10 tickets per transaction. Head to cmcrocks.com to make sure you nab your ticket early!

The popular Time to Pay ticket option returns in 2017, allowing patrons to secure tickets and pay them off over several easy installments.

Foxtel’s CMC will broadcast The 7^th Annual CMC Music Awards live (further information to come) and for the tenth year running, will televise CMC Rocks festival highlights, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes action.

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.

Festival Ticket Prices

*Limit 10 tickets per transaction

3 Day Adult: $299

3 Day Junior: $134

2 Day – Friday & Saturday – Adult: $189

2 Day – Friday & Saturday – Junior: $79

1 Day – Sunday – Adult: $189

1 Day – Sunday – Junior: $79

Camping Ticket Prices

Small site (unpowered): $190

Medium site (unpowered): $370

Medium site (powered): $395