If Strummingbird’s debut year told us anything, it’s that this isn’t your traditional country festival. It’s quickly carved out a lane of its own, blurring genre lines and leaning into a mix of country, pop, hip-hop and folk to reflect where the sound of modern country is actually heading.
Think less legacy country acts and more streaming era stars with crossover appeal, viral moments and live shows that convert the country curious into die hard fans.
With artists like Jelly Roll and Shaboozey leading the charge in 2025, the blueprint is pretty clear: book artists who are blowing up online and hit hard on a live stage.
Looking ahead to its sophomore year later in 2026, here are a list of artists who feel like a natural fit for the next Strummingbird lineup.
2026 STRUMMINGBIRD PREDICTIONS
Post Malone
Post Malone dropped his F-1 Trillion album in 2024 and to say it was a huge hit is an understatement. It features collaborations with the biggest names in country music like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson and even Dolly Parton making it one of the most talked about crossovers in recent memory. Alongside the album he announced this Big Ass World Tour which he’s taken across the US, Europe and recently announced Asian tour dates for September and October this year. The only place left to take the tour is Australia and it lines up nicely with the end of his Asian tour dates. There’s a good chance we will see Post Malone headlining Strummingbird 2026, if not then we bet there’s a tour for sure.
Jessie Murph
This is an interesting one. Another country crossover artist which falls into the Strummingbird wheelhouse. Jessie Murph has one of the most intricate vocal tones across all genre, her voice is raspy yet delicate that instantly wows crowds. She’s had some monster hits in the last few years including Blue Strips, High Road with Koe Wetzel, Wild Ones with Jelly Roll and Touch Me Like A Gangster; A Murph set at a festival would be huge and definitely bring the vibes Strummingbird is all about. The only thing that makes me unsure, is the fact Murph toured Australia at the end of 2025 which is quite soon to be coming back; but hey, stranger things have happened.
Bailey Zimmerman
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Bailey Zimmerman is the king of good times. Wherever he goes the party follows and the kind of high energy set Zimmerman would deliver on the main stage would absolutely put him in contention for a spot on the lineup. He’s headed to Europe and UK in August and September of this year so potentially Australian dates could fit in after that.
Since writing this, Strummingbird have shared their first teaser which features Zimmerman’s song Backup Plan as well as the caption “line ‘em up, turn it up,“ which are lyrics from New To Country, so we’re very confident he will be on the lineup.
Kaitlin Butts
Kaitlin Butts would be a perfect fit for a 2026 Strummingbird line up, bringing her mix of gritty storytelling and alt country edge to a crowd that loves both classic and left of centre country sounds. After touring Australia earlier this year and clearly falling in love with the audiences here, bringing her back for a major festival slot and building on that momentum just makes sense… Let’s just hope this time she can avoid Jetstar.
Cooper Alan
Cooper Alan has hinted at a 2026 Australian tour on TikTok so it's quite possible a slot on the festival line up is on the cards. He did mention in that video that he wants to go to places off the beaten track, which also tracks with Strummingbird’s mantra of playing outside of the major touring areas. Could just be a coincidence, or maybe it’s a hint he’s headed for the Strummingbird stage.
Redferrin
This one might be stretch… but we noticed on Post Malone’s Asian tour announcement that Redferrin commented “Damn I gotta get that passport out and catch one of them 🔥“. Maybe he’s just a huge Malone and Don Toliver fan; or maybe he’s interacting with international tour announcements for a reason… We know Redferrin has mates in Australia and last time he played shows were cut short due to the cyclone in South East Queensland so maybe he’s keen to get back down to Australia and could be joining the line up.
Ty Myers
Ty Myers has been popping off lately. His style is rooted in country storytelling but tends to embrace pop radio friendly melodies. The pairing of traditional country instrumentation with polished contemporary production gives him major crossover appeal for audiences. With a small gap in tour dates at the end of October and start of November it’s a possibility!
Noah Cyrus
Noah Cyrus was due to tour Australia in 2025 and perform at the Changing Tides Festival before it was cancelled. Her music also sits at the intersections of country, pop and indie which Strummingbird leans into so it could be a match for the 2026 festival but we will have to wait and see.
Kassi Ashton
Kassi Ashton is a bad ass and would be the perfect vibe for the Strummingbird festival. She was announced on the CMC Rocks lineup in 2020 before COVID-19 pandemic hit and the festival was cancelled, so we know she has international ambitions. As a fast rising star in the US country scene, now would be the time to strike before she makes it to global superstar status.
Restless Road
If Strummingbird 2026 is all about blending the best of country, pop, and Americana, then Restless Road is the perfect fit. They appeal to listeners across all genres and have got the kind of live energy that works in festival settings.
Graham Barham
Graham Barham is another artist who has slowly been making his way into major editorial playlists across streaming services. With a country / hip-hop / rock sound he also suits the Strummingbird energy and atmosphere so there’s a good chance we might see him on the 2026 line up.
Brad Cox
Brad Cox is one of Australia’s biggest country stars. He pulls in a crowd anywhere he plays and has everyone totally captivated by his honest songwriting and electric live performance. The versatility demonstrated by Cox in his music is second to none and he would for sure fit the tone and atmosphere of Strummingbird.
Sara Berki
Sara Berki makes total sense for a Strummingbird slot right now, she’s firmly on the festival circuit and quickly becoming one of the hottest rising female names in Australian country. With her star steadily rising and a sound that leans both mainstream and modern, she’s exactly the kind of artist you’d expect to see at this event.
Austin Mackay
Austin Mackay keeps going from strength to strength, currently on the road in the United States for his first headline tour he’s no doubt set for big things. His style leans into country storytelling, whilst sonically it’s more stripped back and folk leaning; which you might usually associate with alternative artists than traditional country. On the cusp of becoming the next big thing, he’s certainly one to watch and would be a great fit for a Strummingbird line up.
Bella Mackenzie
Bella Mackenzie has been slowly building a solid fan base and she has a broad appeal to country and pop music listeners. Not only would she bring a bit of fresh style and fire to the stage but she can tap into more singer-songwriter vibes or bring the big energy wherever and whenever it’s needed.
Mack Geiger
Mack Geiger is currently the name on everyone’s lips. With a neo-traditional country sound that is popping off online around the globe right now demand for Gieger is hot. Recently signing a record deal out of the US, this is just the beginning for Geiger and Strummingbird should snap him up quickly for a spot on the festival.
Robbie Mortimer
Robbie Mortimer is your go to guy for a good time! Recently dropping a new EP Notes From A Very Loud Mind which he created with the intention and his live set in the front and centre of his mind, he’s proven that he’s ready for big stages around the country. He was also named one of Live Nation’s Ones To Watch indicating he’s well and truly on their radar as well.
Billy Vincent
Billy Vincent is a new name that you may not be totally familiar with right now but his original tracks and insanely good guitar work has been having a viral moment online even catching the attention of stars like Luke Combs, Noah Kahan and Bailey Zimmerman. If Strummingbird are all about brining viral moments to life, this is one they might just be considering.
Pierce Brothers
The Pierce Brothers are a folk duo from Melbourne but also veer into the country lane on occasion. They’ve performed at country leaning festivals in the past like the Gympie Music Muster and certainly pack a punch. Last year, Strummingbird had The Dreggs play on the lineup - who have a similar folk style of music - and it was a hit, so maybe we could see the Pierce Brothers take to the main stage in 2026.
