Country Music Is Booming In Australia, And Gen Z Is Leading The Charge Says Live Nation Report

Country music is having a massive moment in Australia. According to a new report from Connect by Live Nation, Australia is the third largest market for country music in the world, behind only the U.S. and Canada. The surprising twist? Gen Z is driving the genre’s mainstream comeback, particularly in metropolitan areas.

The report, titled Step Into Country, is part of Connect by Live Nation’s Future Sound series, which explores genre trends shaping the future of music. And the data is clear: country has gone from niche to now.

A whopping 68% of Gen Z listeners say they’re tuning into more country music than ever before, thanks to the genre’s seamless crossovers with pop, rock, and hip hop. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Post Malone’s country pivot, and breakout artists like G Flip and Shaboozey are just a few examples of this cultural collision.

TikTok also saw a massive jump, the hashtag #CountryMusic racked up 196 million views in Australia over the past year alone.

Kristy Rosser, Senior Vice President and Head of Media and Sponsorship at Live Nation Australia & New Zealand, says the shift in perception is key:

“What we are seeing is a shift in perception for traditional country music from ‘nostalgic’ and ‘emotional’ to ‘on the rise,’ ‘diverse,’ and ‘progressive.’ These new fans located in urban areas didn’t grow up with country music, they’ve found it through mainstream channels, influencing their lifestyle preferences and driving growth across the retail, FMCG and entertainment categories.”

It’s not just music consumption that’s changing, it’s fashion, interiors, and culture too. The report found that 50% of music fans have purchased country-inspired clothing in the past year, while 40% have added a little yeehaw to their home decor. Vintage retailer Route 66 is seeing the demand firsthand.

“In our 40 years of operation, we’ve seen all sorts of eras and now Country has morphed into a 90s cowboy style,” said Route 66 Director, Leroi Waddington. “We have customers looking for vintage country tees because of artists such as Post Malone, which has led us to launch an online store to keep up with nationwide demand.”

This cultural shift is also showing up in the live music space. From 2019 to 2024, Live Nation recorded an astounding 746% growth in country music ticket sales, with sold-out shows from artists like Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, and Post Malone. Most recently, country superstar Jason Aldean announced his Full Throttle Wolrd Tour is heading to Australia in 2026, headlining the new Sunburnt Country festival.