COUNTRY MUSIC STARS UNITE: THE BEND CLASSIC UNVEILS MASSIVE FESTIVAL LINE-UP ACROSS THREE GENERATIONS
Littlelion PR on behalf of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park
INTERVIEWS
- All talent are available for interviews this week.
- Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston (Headliners)
- James Blundell, Andrew Swift, Robbie Mortimer, Tori Darke and Denvah
- Artist media quotes are below
ASSETS - HERE
- Video/ B-roll and artist shout outs
- Artist and event images
- Artist bios
MEDIA RELEASE - HERE
James Blundell, Andrew Swift, Robbie Mortimer, Tori Darke and Denvah join headliners Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston at the stay-and-play three-day festival
The Bend Classic today unveiled the full main stage line-up for South Australia's biggest country music festival, with headliners Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston joined by James Blundell, Andrew Swift, Robbie Mortimer, Tori Darke and Denvah at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, this October long weekend.
The seven-artist bill spans three generations of Australian country music — the pioneers who built the genre, today's biggest chart-toppers and its fastest-rising new stars — across an action-packed stay-and-play weekend.
Alistair MacDonald, Shell V-Power Motorsport Park CEO, said the event was a long-term commitment to South Australian music fans.
“At a time when fans are losing festivals, we’re building The Bend Classic for the long haul. This October long weekend it will be the biggest music event in the state, and we’re only getting started.”
“We have built an entire event around fan feedback — great live music, camping with your mates and a full weekend of entertainment — and we have delivered that and more,” Mr MacDonald said.
Come Saturday, it’s boots and all — the best names in Australian country sharing one stage for the very first time, from midday to the last encore.
Veteran country hitmaker James Blundell will roll through three decades of favourites right up to Patience Wins, his brand-new No. 1 on the ARIA Country Album Chart. Three-time Golden Guitar winner Andrew Swift brings the singalong anthems from his chart-topping Lucky Stars, while country-rock firebrand Robbie Mortimer unleashes his signature high-energy sound following standout festival appearances at CMC Rocks QLD and Countryfest. Tori Darke arrives off the back of signing on for festivals in the UK and USA, and Australian Idol sensation Denvah, the new voice of Aussie country, kicks the day off. And when the sun goes down, the big guns come out: Lee Kernaghan, the icon whose 30-plus chart-toppers are the soundtrack of the bush, followed by James Johnston, one of Australia’s most streamed country stars, fresh from the Golden Guitar for the nation’s top selling country album, playing his first ever SA festival before a sold-out UK tour.
Fans wanting to get closer to the stars can step into the all-new Texas Club, which goes on sale today. The strictly limited Saturday VIP experience features exclusive artist meet and greets* with Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston, premium front of stage viewing and a private club precinct with its own bar, seating and toilets.
And the music doesn’t stop at the main stage. Three stages sit within walking distance of each other. The Coach Stage is where the party lives. Saddle & Stomp call the steps as hundreds of line-dancing boots hit the floorboards and the Old Town Country Road DJ dance party keeps everyone moving late into the night. Local country acts will perform across the weekend, including El Coyote, Drew Akin, Jo Page & William Millard, and over at the Welcome Centre, enjoy unplugged sessions at the Acoustic Stage.
Hungry? Fans can watch some of Australia’s best pitmasters go head-to-head for $20,000 in prize money in a BBQ competition, graze the food stalls down BBQ Alley and catch live-fire cooking sessions.
Add whip-cracking demonstrations, a ute muster, axe throwing, car displays, circuit racing and classic cars thundering down the Dragway in Saturday’s Nostalgia Drags, the Summit Racing Equipment Dragway at The Bend Track Championship, and a Sunday night drive-in family movie.
There’s nothing like staying amongst all the action, with great accommodation still available but selling fast.
The wildly popular new infield site along pit straight has sold out of the deluxe tents, but due to demand an additional 40 camping sites have been released today. The onsite hotel has just three rooms remaining. The BIG4 won't be far behind — ensuite and drive-through sites are already sold out, with limited availability across villas, powered and unpowered sites. The new Turn 1 tent and swag area is filling fast, while the Northern Apex and Horizon campgrounds offer prime trackside sites with free parking across the precinct and free shuttles on your doorstep — pitch up Friday and let the weekend come to you.
Proudly presented by Burson Auto Parts, The Bend Classic will deliver a huge weekend of Cars, Country and Camping across two racetracks, three stages and five camping sites at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, from 2–4 October 2026. Tickets and camping packages are on sale now at www.thebend.com.au.
ENDS.
*Selected artist appearances and experiences are subject to artist availability and scheduling and may change without notice.
FACT SHEET
INTERVIEWS
- All talent & Alistair MacDonald are available for interviews this week. Contact Gabrielle to arrange.
- Artist media quotes are below
ASSETS - HERE
- Video/ B-roll and artist shout outs
- Artist and event images
- Artist bios
FAST FACTS
- Event: The Bend Classic – Cars, Country and Camping
- Dates: 2–4 October 2026 (October long weekend); main stage festival Saturday 3 October
- Venue: Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend SA
- Presented by: Burson Auto Parts
- Scale: 2 race tracks, 3 stages, 5 camping sites
- Tickets: www.thebend.com.au
CONNECT WITH US
- MORE INFO & TICKETS www.thebend.com.au
- FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/TheBendMotorsportPark
- INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/thebendmotorsportpark
- YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheBendMotorsportPark
- #TheBendClassic #TheBend #CarsCountryCamping #CountryMusic
MAIN STAGE ARTISTS
LEE KERNAGHAN
Quote: “When I said The Bend Classic had the makings of the Tamworth of the South, this is what I was talking about. You look down this line-up and it’s the whole story of Australian country music on one stage — the artists who built it, the ones topping the charts today and the next generation coming through.”
Key facts: Australia's biggest country music icon; more than 30 chart-topping singles and multiple ARIA Awards; catalogue has defined Australian country music for more than 30 years; one of the country's strongest live ticket sellers
Current: Latest release “Country Is Coming To Town” with The Wolfe Brothers; touring Boys From The Bush – The Concert; teasing new music from his next album
JAMES JOHNSTON
Quote: “This is my first festival in South Australia and they’ve handed me a line-up like this — it’s going to be one hell of a day. SA crowds are some of the rowdiest going around, so bring your boots and bring your voice.”
Key facts: Australia's biggest contemporary country artist; No. 1 album Where You'll Find Me won the Golden Guitar for Australia's Top Selling Country Album; dominates Australian country streaming; known for RAISED LIKE THAT and SMALL TOWN
Current: Latest single “Smoke I've Known” (April 2026); preparing for sold-out UK tour and major international festivals; first ever festival in SA
JAMES BLUNDELL
Quote: “Patience Wins going to No. 1 more than 30 years into my career tells you how strong Australian country music is right now, and this bill is the proof. You won’t see these artists together anywhere else in the country.”
Key facts: Australian country music royalty; more than three decades of hits; new studio album Patience Wins debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album Chart
Current: Latest single “Your Own Sweet Time”; touring nationally with an intimate show celebrating the album
ANDREW SWIFT
Quote: “There’s something about a festival where everyone is camped on site — the crowd is there for the whole day and the energy just keeps building. I’ll be playing Lucky Stars loud enough to hear it from the campground.”
Key facts: Three-time Golden Guitar Award winner including 2023 Male Artist of the Year; 4 x ARIA No. 1 albums; more than 9 million streams; has played CMA Fest in Nashville; toured with The Wolfe Brothers, Catherine Britt, Amber Lawrence, Sara Storer, Andrew Farriss and Shannon Noll
Current: Album Lucky Stars (October 2025) debuted No. 1 on the Australian Country Album Chart; recent singles “Nothing Better”, “Get Lost”, “(Hot Damn) It's Been A Minute”, “See You At The Bottom”; also playing solo Acoustic Stage set
ROBBIE MORTIMER
Quote: “There’s nothing quite like a festival crowd at night. The energy is unreal, and The Bend is getting absolutely everything we’ve got.”
Key facts: One of Australia's hottest emerging country-rock performers; recently sang the national anthem at State of Origin – one of the biggest TV audiences of his career; millions of streams and strong live momentum
Current: EP Notes From A Very Loud Mind (March 2026) featuring “Might Be The Night” and “Cold Beer Here”
TORI DARKE
Quote: “I’m playing festivals in the UK and America this year, but a line-up like this shows you don’t have to leave home to see world-class country music. I can’t wait to bring the new songs to South Australia.”
Key facts: One of Australia's leading female country artists with growing international recognition; announced for Country Calling (UK) and Country Jam (USA)
Current: 2026 singles “Prettiest Wreck” and “You Better Think”, following 2025's “Build Me A Man”
DENVAH
Quote: “Not long ago I was singing these artists’ songs, and now my name is on the same poster. It’s a pinch-me moment and I can’t wait to get to The Bend.”
Key facts: One of Australia's fastest-rising young country artists; breakout run on Australian Idol; nominated for New Talent of the Year at the Golden Guitar Awards
Current: Latest single “Like Noah” (feat. Kelsey Berrington), following “Valentine's Day” and “One Of Them Cowboys”; also playing solo Acoustic Stage set
THE BEND CLASSIC EVENT SNAPSHOT
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FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER Coach Stage (Podium Park)
Acoustic Stage
Circuit
SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER Dragway
Circuit
Evening
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SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER Main Stage (Podium Park)
Coach Stage (Podium Park)
Acoustic Stage (Welcome Centre)
Dragway
Circuit
Texas Club
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INTERVIEWS
- All talent are available for interviews this week.
- Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston (Headliners)
- James Blundell, Andrew Swift, Robbie Mortimer, Tori Darke and Denvah join
- Artist media quotes are below
ASSETS - HERE
- Video/ B-roll and artist shout outs
- Artist and event images
- Artist bios
Contact details:
Gabrielle Leonello from littlelion PR
0425 554 454 [email protected]
