Australia is bracing for a southern storm — and it’s not just about the weather.

Two of America’s most genre-defying country stars, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey, are officially taking flight to headline the inaugural Strummingbird Festival, a bold new music event shaking up the Australian festival scene this October and November. It’s the duo’s first-ever trip to the Land Down Under, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“This ain’t your grandma’s country music,” a festival insider tells The Regal Daily, half-joking but alluding to the larger-than-life personalities about to descend upon Aussie soil. “We’re talking tattoos, rap roots, viral anthems, and an unapologetic swagger — on stages traditionally dominated by surf-rock and indie pop.”

Strummingbird Festival — a creation of Kicks Entertainment and Live Nation, the minds behind blockbuster fest Spilt Milk — is billing itself as Australia’s answer to Stagecoach. And judging by its audacious debut lineup, they’re not pulling any punches.

The Heavy Hitters: Jelly Roll & Shaboozey

Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, is Nashville’s tattooed, redemption-fueled outlaw — a man who went from prison inmate to chart-topping CMA winner with anthems like “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner.” His blend of country, rap, and soul isn’t just bending genres — it’s breaking them. And fans are eating it up.

But there’s something deeper: a story of raw pain, addiction, faith, and second chances. It’s this vulnerability that has turned him into an unlikely messiah for blue-collar fans across the U.S. And now, he’s bringing that emotional fire to Australia for the very first time.

Joining him is Shaboozey, the swaggering Virginian who rocketed to global fame with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” a TikTok-fueled country-rap banger that’s become the drinking anthem of 2024. Shaboozey’s cinematic approach to songwriting — part cowboy, part hip-hop antihero — has made him the poster child of country’s new frontier.

“Shaboozey is what happens when you give Quentin Tarantino a banjo and a bottle of whiskey,” one Australian radio DJ quipped after his breakout.

With both artists riding meteoric highs — Jelly Roll fresh off a CMT win, and Shaboozey recently surpassing 100 million streams — it’s no stretch to call Strummingbird a game-changing moment for Australia’s music identity.

Three Cities, One Mission: Make Australia Country

Set to take place across Sunshine Coast (QLD), Newcastle (NSW), and Perth (WA), the festival is targeting both coastal beach vibes and gritty city crowds:

Oct. 25 – Kawana Sports Precinct, Sunshine Coast

Nov. 1 – Newcastle Foreshore, Newcastle

Nov. 2 – Claremont Showground, Perth

Each stop is expected to draw tens of thousands, with dedicated campgrounds, food truck rodeos, and even rumored “cowboy karaoke” zones.

And the supporting acts? Just as bold.

The Lineup That’s Turning Heads

Joining Jelly Roll and Shaboozey are Treaty Oak Revival, a Texas southern-rock group that’s gaining outlaw cult status; Drew Baldridge, the Illinois crooner with a TikTok following larger than some pop stars; Julia Cole, Nashville’s rising queen of empowerment-country; and The Jack Wharff Band, a Virginian quartet known for boot-stomping harmonies.

But it’s not all about imports. Australia’s homegrown stars are set to shine.

From viral sensation James Johnston (dubbed “Australia’s Luke Combs”) to Kaylee Bell, a Kiwi powerhouse now climbing the US country charts, the local contingent is strong. Add in bush balladeer Wade Forster, indie darling duo The Dreggs, and breakout newcomer Matt Hansen, and you’ve got a transpacific mix hotter than a Queensland summer.

Why Now? Why Here?

Some say Australia is experiencing a country music renaissance — a genre once relegated to dusty outback pubs is now finding fans in bustling cities. The Tamworth Country Music Festival is pulling bigger crowds than ever. Spotify streams of country music in Australia grew by nearly 70% in 2024, according to insiders.

“Young Aussies aren’t just accepting country music. They’re claiming it as their own,” says Miranda Lowe, a music analyst in Melbourne. “They want authenticity, grit, and stories that punch you in the gut. That’s what artists like Jelly Roll and Shaboozey deliver.”

The X-Factor: Can Strummingbird Fly?

With just months to go, buzz is building — but not without skepticism. Some critics question whether country can truly become mainstream in Australia. Others wonder if a three-city model is too ambitious for a first-year festival.

Still, the organizers remain confident.

“Country isn’t a niche anymore,” says Josh Thompson, event director at Kicks Entertainment. “It’s global. It’s diverse. And it’s ready for a party.”

There’s even speculation of surprise cameos — could a certain Australian country-pop superstar appear unannounced? Festival organizers have refused to comment, only fueling fan frenzy.

One Shot, One Festival

If successful, Strummingbird could reshape the music calendar in Australia, opening the door for more Americana-inspired tours, more fusion acts, and maybe even a full-blown country festival circuit.

But for now, all eyes are on Jelly Roll and Shaboozey.

Two rule-breakers. One continent. A country revolution in the making.