Beyonce Won the Grammy, Luke Combs Sold Out Stadiums. But 2025 Is the Breakout Year for Aussie Country Artists

Beyoncé famously went country last year with her Cowboy Carter LP, and the bold decision paid off when she (finally) won Album of the Year at the Grammys. Luke Combs dominated as Australia’s most-streamed country artist in 2024, fresh off sold-out stadium shows. Kane Brown is gearing up for his first-ever Australia and New Zealand tour this September.

In other words, country music is big business right now.

Meanwhile, The Wiggles, Australia’s most-streamed local act, are even going country – roping in Dolly Parton, Lainey Wilson, and Orville Peck for their next album. They also just dropped a collaboration with Kiwi country star Kaylee Bell.

Country music isn’t just trending in Australia; it’s here to stay.

According to Spotify, Australia is now the world’s No. 3 market for country music, behind only the US and Canada. In the past two years, country streams have surged 73%, with Australia ranking fourth globally for first-time country listeners in the last 12 months.

“Country music is a huge global trend, likely due to the power of storytelling,” says Steph Liong, Senior Editor at Spotify AUNZ

“It’s long been a genre where artists can pour authenticity into their songs. That emotional depth is incredibly appealing to anyone, no matter where they are located, whether it’s metro or rural. Similarly, the accessibility through curated playlists and personalised recommendations has been key to Australia being one of the top nations for country discovery.

“Aussies are connecting with country music more and more due to the evolution of the genre and its influences from pop, rock and hip-hop megastars who dip their toe in the country pond – and we are so excited to see more.”

Spotify’s Culture & Trends team is calling it: 2025 will be the year an Aussie country artist goes global.

Following in the footsteps of homegrown super stars like Keith Urban – who received the Roll of Renown honour at this year’s Golden Guitar Awards – a new wave of talent is leading the charge.

Brad Cox, an ARIA-nominated, Golden Guitar-winning powerhouse, wrapped up his biggest tour yet last October and was spotlighted in Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Future of Music series last year. His third album, Acres, proved the genre can have crossover appeal without losing its soul, and brought him ARIA nominations, a trio of Golden Guitar wins, and new fans aplenty.

“Australian country music’s most beloved current performer? It’s very likely,” we wrote about Cox in our Future of Music series.

“Above the timeless music — always belted out through his instantly recognisable booming voice — is Cox’s relationship with his fans that make him stand out. Wherever he performs in Australia, no matter how small the town, he always draws a passionate crowd; people just like Cox, who recognise themselves in his music.”

Lane Pittman went from The Voice Australia semi-finals to touring arenas with Luke Combs – the same artist he covered in his blind audition. His Voice mentor was Keith Urban, who praised Pittman for his authenticity.

An Aussie country artist who’s already making inroads overseas is James Johnston, who recently appeared in front of 30,000 people at the Cape Town Country Festival. That came off the back of “COUNTRY IS FOR ME”, a major collaboration with Afrikaans country star Appel.  

“South Africa was honestly two of the craziest weeks of my life,” he told Rolling Stone AU/NZ, “and I don’t say that lightly. I kind of went over there as an unknown artist, and within two weeks after we released the song it actually became the most streamed country song, and nearly the most streamed song generally in South Africa. 

At the 2025 Golden Guitar Awards, Troy Cassar-Daley cleaned up with five awards, including Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Between the Fires. Max Jackson also had a huge night, taking home Female Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Little More Country”. Pittman was named New Talent of the Year at the ceremony, further confirmation of his rising renown.

“It’s been really, really amazing to be a part of that as a local artist… it’s a great time for country music as a whole and the local scene’s growing bigger than ever. You look at guys like Brad Cox, James Johnston, myself, there’s so many people who are at the forefront of this here. And to be in that crew is really amazing,” Pittman said in his recent Rolling Stone AU/NZ interview.

As the genre continues to grow, Australia’s country music scene is shaping up to be a force to reckon with on the global stage. So, keep going to see global genre superstars like Combs when he tours Down Under – but make sure you’re listening to local talent like Cox, Pittman, Johnston, Jackson, and so many more at the same time.