Howlin' Country wraps up for 2026, confirms 2027 return
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Punters from all corners of the country made their way to the Newcastle region over the weekend for the second edition of HOWLIN’ COUNTRY; parking up at the stunning Newcastle foreshore to enjoy some of the biggest international names in country music, as well as the very best local artists on what is one of the country’s most picturesque festival destinations.
Opening up the day was Brisbane’s TYLA RODRIGUES – one of the country’s brightest up-and-coming stars who kicked off the mainstage with style, followed by Newcastle local ADAM NEWLING who brought his unique blend of indie-folk & country to the Howlin’ Crowd.
Next up was Alabama-born artist KASHUS CULPEPPER who changed up the pace with his raw, honest soul-infused country sound. Legendary singer songwriter PAUL DEMPSEY soon followed – with his Shotgun Karaoke set featuring covers of everyone’s favourite tunes.
As the day drew on and the festival grounds began to really fill out – US country stars KAITLIN BUTTS and FLATLAND CAVALRY treated the crowd with consecutive sets filled with some of their biggest hits, as well as a few special covers (including a country version of Jimmy Eat World’s classic ‘The Middle’ from Butts’ that had everyone in the audience singing along).
Newcastle’s very own country music star MORGAN EVANS made a triumphant return to Newcastle as one of the festival’s headliners – blazing through his extensive catalogue to a passionate home-base. Midway through the set, the clouds came over and the rain came down just as Evans’ started up his latest single ‘Steel Town’ – a love letter to the city, which was fittingly played live for the very first time at Howlin’. Regardless of the rainfall, the crowd erupted – and as Morgan passed out Newcastle Knights flags to the crowd, he cemented himself as the city’s favourite son.
US superstar LAINEY WILSON closed out the mainstage with a mesmerising live show; a true spectacle for the Howlin’ Crowd with an incredible performance that showcased her countless sing-along hits, impressive musicianship from her live band and some of the biggest vocals in country music today.
In one of the many highlight moments from the festival, Lainey picked out a young girl from the crowd and crowned her ‘cowgirl of the night’, reciting some lines of affirmation with her up on stage with roars from the crowd and not a single dry-eye in sight.
Meanwhile – this year’s festival featured a full second stage in The Bale House; which held some of the region’s brightest new artists including SHARNEE FENWICK and GRAND PRICKS; national favourites SWEET TALK, LEWIS LOVE, THE WET WHISTLES; and, to close out the night with a bang, THE CHEAP WHISKY DJS.
This year’s expanded lineup and second stage was all thanks to Revive Live – An Australian Government initiative that granted the festival the funding to build on what they created in their first year.
Outside of the music, ticket holders were given plenty to see and do throughout the festival grounds – with the LADIES LOVE COUNTRY podcast getting into the Valentines day spirit with their very own Speed Dating event; TOOHEYs held a bungee run for any competitive Howlers’; The Lil Howlers zone had free face painting, yard games, ride-on pony cycles and a classic jumping castle to keep the kids occupied; and BUNDY RUM’s Howlin Hotel VIP area had the party going all day.
With such a successful second year, festival organiser Moe Matthew says the festival will be back in 2027.
“We would love to thank all the ticket holders, vendors, artists, crew and sponsors that helped make Howlin’ 2026 happen over the weekend. We are a proudly homegrown festival, and we’re so happy we’re able to give back to the community with an event that highlights our amazing local talent and vendors. We’d also like to thank the federal government for supporting the festival via Revive Live – an Australian Government initiative, as well as the Newcastle City Council who supported us every step of the way.
We’ve had plenty of great feedback since Saturday, but in saying that – we know we can improve in certain areas and we want to hear your feedback. Thanks to our sponsor ARIAT AUSTRALIA , we have a $500 voucher for one lucky person who helps us improve the festival. We will be back in 2027, and we would really like to get as much feedback as to how we could improve in all areas.”
