The countdown to Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) 2026 is officially on

With more than 30 artists added to the full festival program being dropped today including Andrew Farriss, Dan Davidson, Melanie Dyer, Allan Caswell, Tori Forsyth and The Pigs.

KASEY CHAMBERS  |  KAYLEE BELL  |  THE WOLFE BROTHERS  |  BECCY COLE  |  JAMES BLUNDELL  |  LANE PITTMAN |  KINGSWOOD TYLA RODRIGUES  |  HENRY WAGONS  |  ANDREW SWIFT  |  HAYLEY JENSEN  |  ANDREW FARRISS  |  DAN DAVIDSON  |  DENVAH  MELANIE DYER  |  AUSTIN MACKAY  | RUTH MOODY  |  THE PIGS  |  ALLAN CASWELL  |  TORI FORSYTH  |  JAKE PENROD  |  PETE DENAHY & THE SURREAL MCCOYS  |  STERLING DRAKE |  THE BURES BAND  |  2026 STARMAKER JARRAD WRIGLEY  |  BEAU SHEARER  |  JAKE WHITTAKER  |  JOSH STUMPF  |  DEAR TOMMIE  |  MIDNIGHT CHICKEN  |  NATHAN LAMONT  | JOSIE & MANY MORE

The full program is now riding a party wave into Broadbeach, with more than 60 artists across 15 stages bringing country music icons, rising Aussie talent and festival-first performances to the Gold Coast across three huge days from 16–18 October. 

INXS co-founder and songwriter Andrew Farriss brings more than four decades of music history to Groundwater CMF, performing at The Star Gold Coast on Sunday 18 October, while three-time Golden Guitar nominee Melanie Dyer will kick off the festival at Kurrawa Big Top on Friday 16 October.

Andrew Farriss said “I’m really looking forward to being part of Groundwater Country Music Festival.   "It’s wonderful to see an Australian festival continuing to support country music and bring artists and audiences together, and I’m looking forward to getting up there and sharing some of my songs with everyone.”

Eight-time Golden Guitar winner Allan Caswell, one of Australian country music’s most recorded songwriters, also joins the program alongside Canadian country artist Dan Davidson and festival favourites The Pigs, known for putting their unmistakable bluegrass spin on Australian rock, pop and country classics.

Also joining the festival are Bo’Ness Brothers, Beau Shearer, Beth Lucas, The Bures Band and Gold Coast country-pop duo Paper Daisies, adding to a strong contingent of emerging and independent artists appearing across the weekend.  With the full program now unveiled, festival goers can start mapping out three days of country music stretching from breakfast through to late-night sets across Broadbeach.

Friday 16 October will see Midnight Chicken, Josh Stumpf, Henry Wagons, Lane Pittman and James Blundell take to the stage throughout the day at Kurrawa Big Top, while over on Surf Parade, Hayley Jensen, Dan Davidson and Beccy Cole will keep the music rolling into the evening.

On Saturday 17 October, Kaylee Bell hits Surf Parade alongside Tyla Rodrigues, Andrew Swift and Denvah, while The Pigs and Austin Mackay build towards The Wolfe Brothers closing out the Kurrawa Big Top.

The festival reaches its finale on Sunday 18 October, with Australian country music icon Kasey Chambers headlining Surf Parade. At the Kurrawa Big Top, The Bures Band, Tori Forsyth and Kingswood take over across the afternoon and evening.

Beyond the major stages, Groundwater CMF will once again spill throughout the Broadbeach precinct, with intimate acoustic performances and live sets inside local bars, restaurants and venues.

Festival favourites also return, including Beachside Line Dancing with Chris Watson, DJ Colonel’s Country Music Cottage and the much-loved Bluegrass Breakfast at Loose Moose, giving fans plenty of ways to experience the festival beyond the headline stages.

The 2026 program also features the recently announced Country Calling, presented by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO). Featuring Nathan Lamont, Joey Leigh Wagtail and Georgia Corowa, Country Calling brings artists together in an intimate songwriter-round format inspired by Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café, sharing the songs, stories and experiences behind their music.

Experience Gold Coast Festival Director Mark Duckworth said Groundwater really is the ultimate country music beach party in Australia, and that’s what makes it so unique.

“You can see some of the best names in country music, discover an incredible new local or emerging artist, grab a drink with friends and be dancing by the beach all in the same day,” Mr Duckworth said. “The team are working away to create another unforgettable three days of music, sunshine and good times on the Gold Coast.”  

Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek said the final line-up was set to make this year’s festival a must-see.  
“Groundwater is the ultimate country music gathering and this massive program will have Broadbeach buzzing for three huge days,” Mr Langbroek said.  "The festival is expected to bring a $17 million boost to the Gold Coast economy and generate more than 71,000 visitor nights, supporting accommodation providers, small businesses and tourism providers.

“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Groundwater through our Major Events funding and we cannot wait to welcome thousands of country music fans to the region this October.” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said, “What a magical time to get the Akubra on and get among the party at Groundwater.

“When country meets the beach, we know we are on to a winner and this year’s line-up is the best I’ve ever seen. Make a date with Broadbeach and see you there.’’

Now in its 13th year, Groundwater CMF has become a favourite among artists and fans, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the Gold Coast for three days of live music, dancing and distinctly coastal festival experiences.