Adam Brand to headline 2019 TCMF opening night

With a dozen Golden Guitars to his name, Adam Brand is perfectly poised to headline the opening night of 2019's Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Brand's opening performance is his only of the festival, kicking off a country-charted 10 days where Australia's biggest country music stars will showcase for locals and visitors.

With a new album due out in March 2020, Brand's single 'Life's Been Good To Me' has been a favourite at Aussie country radio this year, rising as high as #7 on the TMN Country Airplay Chart. He recently released follow-up single 'Speed Of Life'.

The opening evening of the TCMF will be hosted by Pete Denahy, with performances by Ashleigh Dallas, Lyn Bowtell and Andrew Swift, as well as 2019 Toyota Star Maker Blake O'Connor.

They'll be joined by Buddy Knox Blues Band, Brewn, The Long and Short Of It, Zac & George and 2019 Busking Champion Rhys Crimmon.

“It’s designed to be a window into the whole festival," festival GM Barry Harley told TMN.

“There are about 12 to 13 acts making cameos, and they represent everything from Golden Guitar winners to winning buskers from the street championships and everything in between.

“There’s a deliberate mix of sub-genres, heritage balladeers, contemporary rock, bands and solo.”

Watch the official clip for 'Speed Of Life' by Adam Brand

“Attending the free concerts in Toyota Park is a great opportunity for musical discovery, meeting new people, and appreciating the talent we have here in Australia," said Tamworth Country Music coordinator, Cheryl Brown.

Brown also revealed that Tamworth will take part in the 'Git Up' challenge – made popular by US viral sensation Blanco Brown – on the opening night. There'll also be a sizable fireworks display on the night.

Community events are a great deal of fun, and after watching many of the challenges that are happening all around the world on YouTube, I’m hopeful that we will have the biggest Git Up Challenge Australia has seen,” Brown added.

"We hope that individuals and groups of all kinds, sport, dance, servicemen, and women, health workers, workmates, and school friends, start learning the dance steps and join us at the Opening Concert. You don’t have to be great, join in.”

Tamworth Country Music Festival takes place from January 17 to 26. View the full schedule and purchase tickets here.