Simply West went to Tamworth with some kind praise from Tones & I and Mr Ray Hadley. Being a new artist, they were unsure if people would know who they are and how they would be perceived, but decided to throw their heart and soul into their four days in Tamworth. 

They sold out their debut headline show at West Diggers; supported Amber Lawrence at her sold out Blazes show; and performed on the Toyota FanZone Stage for the first time. They even had a crack at busking on the streets of Tamworth connecting with both the local and festival community, as well as making some surprise appearance at The Banks Brothers and Andrew Farriss’ shows. They were grateful, energised and exhausted all at once!

Each member of Simply West shared their experiences with us here at Countrytown.

Enesi Salu:

Tamworth was unreal - our first time there, and it completely blew us away. The biggest highlight was selling out our very first show! 

We went in blind, unsure if anyone would buy tickets, and to see it sell out was incredible. Stepping on stage, knowing people had come just to see Simply West, was unforgettable.

Busking in the heart of town was another unforgettable experience. Connecting with the locals up close, feeling their energy, and sharing those moments through music was so special. 

Walking the red carpet for the first time was a surreal moment for all of us. Seeing iconic country artists up close and meeting incredible people in the industry made us feel like we were exactly where we needed to be. Tamworth, you were amazing, and we can’t wait to come back next year. 

A huge shoutout to Amber Lawrence for giving us the chance to perform with her in front of her amazing audience. It was such an honour. And, of course, we can’t forget the one who got us here in the first place, Mr Ray Hadley. 

Joel Adams:

My time at the Tamworth Country Music Festival was absolutely incredible. From the moment we arrived, the energy in the town was electric. Walking around, meeting artists like Amber Lawrence and the Banks Brothers, and connecting with the locals was such a highlight.

One of the most exciting moments was playing a sold-out show at the Ray Hadley MC’d event—it felt amazing to perform in front of such an enthusiastic crowd. We also had the chance to busk and meet media personalities, which was a lot of fun. And to top it all off, we ended up walking the red carpet at the Golden Guitar Awards!

Tamworth is a special place. Whether you're a country music fan or just love live music, it’s an experience you can’t miss. We’ll definitely be back next year, and I can’t wait for what’s to come!

Ricky Nifo:

Tamworth, just wow. 

We had some reservations on how we would be received…  but they were quickly shut down.

With 2 Samoans, an African and a Portuguese, you can imagine our surprise when we had a crowd loving us from the first song. We were welcomed almost immediately by the country music lovers and the musicians, which made the experience all the more memorable. To be honest a week later I am still in shock. 

We were on a tight schedule with radio interviews every day and some even at 7am. However, they ended up paying dividends when we arrived on the red carpet as an unknown band. Every radio station we were interviewed by were there and they showed us so much love and really made us feel part of the community in front of all the Golden Guitar goers. 

The Tamworth experience would have to be a highlight in my career thus far. Tamworth is now in my calendar every year like a birthday and you bet your bottom dollar I will be there sharing and experiencing the love, appreciation and celebration of country music.

Michael David:

What a trip! 

From the moment we touched down on Wednesday afternoon it was a non-stop roller coaster ride filled with back-to-back rehearsals, performances & media appearances ending with a sold out show on Saturday followed by a visit to the red carpet appearance at the Golden Guitar Awards on Saturday.

I’m convinced that TCMF 2025 couldn’t have gone any better for Simply West. Grateful to meet lots of new fans and make many new friends. A great excursion all round!