Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown Band, Kip Moore Front CMC Rocks QLD Massive 2023 Line-Up

After delivering an epic homecoming event last month, CMC Rocks QLD reveals an absolute ripper of a line-up for its 16th Anniversary event.

Between Wednesday 15 and Sunday 19 March 2023, Australia’s premiere international country music festival will return, helmed by some of the hottest talent Willowbank, Ipswich has ever seen!

In an incredible coup, CMC Rocks QLD has secured US superstar Morgan Wallen, alongside Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band – in their only Australian appearance – and festival favourite Kip Moore to lead the star-studded line-up for 2023.

A massive twenty international and ten brilliant local acts are gearing up to blow the lid off the CMC Rocks stages in March, some of whom will be making anticipated festival debuts and others already very close to the hearts of our Rocks community.

Jordan Davis, HARDY, Randy Houser, Bailey Zimmerman, Ashley McBryde and Mitchell Tenpenny lead the charge of stellar US talent for 2023. Cam will make her CMC Rocks sophomore appearance, whilst Ernest, Warren Zeiders, Corey Kent and Hailey Whitters all perform for the very first time. Home Free, Caroline Jones, Madeline Edwards, Brittney Spencer, Jim Lauderdale and Abby Christo round out one of the hottest international line-ups the festival has ever delivered.

Local sensations The Wolfe Brothers and Travis Collins are no strangers to the CMC Rocks stage and are welcomed back alongside a plethora of established and emerging local talent; Darlinghurst, Caitlyn Shadbolt, The Buckleys, Blake O’Connor, Sara Berki, Max Jackson, Hayley Marsten and Lane Pittman.

Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg said, “As this year’s event weekend went on, it became clear that two plus years of missed festivals had been washed away by an amazing line-up; 22,000 happy joyful fans having the best time. It’s a magical, peaceful festival, with an amazing audience choir that sings every word of every song. I am very proud to play a small part in an incredible team that produces a vibe I have not seen anywhere else in the world. Bring on March 2023!” 

Jeremy Dylan, Festival Director, Potts Entertainment said, “Seeing the passion from our fans when we returned to Willowbank last month was something to behold, and we’ve been working overtime to bring so many of their most requested artists to the festival in March. This is one of the biggest line-ups we’ve ever had, and we can’t wait for all these incredible artists to hear the best crowd in Australia singing their songs back to them in six months.”

With close to 10 billion global streams, 8 x multi-platinum singles and 6 x chart-toppers, Wallen is without doubt one of the biggest country music stars in the world. Wallen’s critically acclaimed and ACM Album of the Year Dangerous: The Double Album, the follow-up to his Double Platinum breakout record If I Know Me, topped 2021’s all-genre Billboard 200 Albums year-end chart with 4.1 million units sold, earning him four 2022 Billboard Award nominations.

Having sold out iconic venues like Madison Square Garden (two nights!), Wallen returns to Australia and CMC Rocks QLD for the first time since 2019. With his latest single You Proof, Wallen gives fans a taste of his anticipated forthcoming third studio album.

Multi-platinum, triple Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band need no introduction. One of country music’s greatest success stories, Zac Brown Band has had six consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has won three Grammy Awards, sold more than 30 million singles, 9 million albums, amassed over 10 billion catalogue streams to date, achieved 16 #1 radio singles, and are the second act to top both the Country and Active Rock formats.

Zac Brown Band has headlined 8 North American tours and currently holds the record for most consecutive sold-out shows at Boston’s Fenway Park. Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation with critics and fans alike as one of the most dynamic live performers, marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries. Their latest album, The Comeback (Deluxe) features a talented group of lead singer Zac Brown’s musical friends and heroes for reimagined versions of previously released tracks, including Jimmy Buffet, Blake Shelton, James Taylor, Cody Johnson, Ingrid Andress and Jamey Johnson.

Nashville troubadour and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Kip Moore is no stranger to Australian shores, returning in March for his third Australian visit. Much-loved by his loyal Australian fanbase, Moore is known for his captivating live show with a reputation as a fierce all-in performer.

Splashing into the mainstream in 2012 with his double-platinum hit Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck and followed up with a trio of ambitious, critically acclaimed albums, Moore has established himself as a force in country music. Released in mid-2020, his fourth studio album Wild World is a revelatory collection penned as Moore travelled the globe pre-pandemic. With his latest singles If I Was Your Lover and Fire On Wheels, Moore returns to volume-up groove-driven country anthems.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said she looks forward to welcoming back CMC Rocks QLD with the outstanding line up of talent.

“This world class festival is a highlight on the Ipswich’s event calendar with people from all over Australia and around the world. Having the festival on twice within six months is a win-win for everyone,” Harding said. “Thousands of country music lovers pour into Ipswich for CMC Rocks QLD staying in local accommodation, visiting dining venues, buying supplies and injecting millions of dollars into our economy. Ipswich City Council is pleased to be able to continue our support of this fantastic event that is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”

In 2022, CMC Rocks QLD firmly cemented its place as Australia’s most significant country music event, delivering a completely unique festival experience. From new bars – Big Time Charlie’s and Gordons Premium Pink Pamper Bar – to fresh new activations including an eight-metre-high cowboy boot, Great Northern House, Singles Mingle, Honky Tonk Stomp line dancing and more, CMC Rocks is the ultimate, incomparable country music experience.

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.

TICKETS FOR CMC ROCKS QLD 2023 ON SALE AT
 9AM AEST, THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER FROM MOSHTIX.COM.AU