Howlin’ Country is expanding for its third year, unveiling a new two-session Rock N Rodeo format headlined by Australian country music great Kasey Chambers and rising US singer-songwriter Max McNown.
Taking over Newcastle Foreshore on Saturday, February 13th, 2027, the event will bring live music together with rodeo action and family-friendly entertainment across separate daytime and nighttime programs.
Chambers will headline the all-ages daytime session, running from 10am until 4pm. One of Australia’s most celebrated country artists, she has collected 15 ARIA Awards and 28 Golden Guitar Awards across a career spanning 13 studio albums.
McNown will lead the nighttime session from 4:30pm until 10:30pm. The Oregon-born artist has amassed more than 2.6 million TikTok followers and earned multiple Platinum certifications with tracks including “Better Me for You (Brown Eyes)” and “A Lot More Free”. His new album, Leave on a Light, is due for release on September 25th.
The Wet Whistles, Tori Darke and Cheap Whiskey DJs will perform across both sessions, while Ellis Undercover will appear during the day. Further international acts are still to be announced.
Beyond the music, Rock N Rodeo will feature bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, line dancing and a mechanical bull. The daytime program will also include a Little Howlers play area, while the evening session will add a rodeo ring and Silent Saloon.
“We’re excited to be bringing a new experience to Howlin’ with the Rock N Roll Rodeo,” organiser Moe Matthew said.
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“The idea behind the two sessions is to allow new country fans to experience the music and event with their families during the day session at what we believe is an affordable price. And then the nighttime session opens up for those who are also ready to take it up a notch into the night.
“It’s a different event, but with all the usual Howlin’ bells and whistles.”
PBR Australia will bring its bull-riding production experience to the event, which will mark the organisation’s first Australian full-rodeo production.
“Howlin’ Rock N Rodeo will also mark an exciting first for us, as we take our experience producing standalone bull riding events and bring that expertise to a full rodeo production in Australia,” PBR Australia said. “This is the future of rodeo entertainment: bigger, faster and built around giving fans an incredible live experience.”
The new format follows two editions of Howlin’ Country featuring artists including Lainey Wilson, Morgan Evans, Kaitlin Butts, Flatland Cavalry, Paul Dempsey and Tyla Rodrigues.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at midday on Friday, September 18th. A Howlin’ presale begins at 11am on Wednesday, September 16th via howlin.country.
Daytime tickets start at $49 for children and $99 for adults, while nighttime tickets begin at $99 for children and $129 for adults. Full-event Howlin’ Passes start at $129 for children and $165 plus booking fees for adults.
