Following the announcement of Howlin’ ROCK N RODEO last month, the Howlin’ team have followed it up with another international act on their way to the Hunter in 2027. Multi-platinum US country artist SAM BARBER will be bringing his world-renowned live show to the beautiful Newcastle Foreshore on Sunday April 11 next year – with support from fellow American singer/songwriter JOSIAH AND THE BONNEVILLES.
After 2 successful years with Howlin’ Country festival, the Howlin’ brand will now be looking to promote multiple events across the year – creating a vital pipeline to bring some of the world’s biggest live talent to one of the country’s fastest growing regions.
“We’re excited to continue growing our brand and expanding the range of live music experiences we bring to Newcastle and the Hunter. By expanding beyond the festival format, we can create more opportunities for audiences to see the artists they love, while supporting local artists, suppliers and crew and creating more opportunities for people to work in the live music industry across our region. Our focus remains on investing in Newcastle and the Hunter, building a strong local music scene and bringing more great artists to our backyard. We look forward to announcing more headline shows soon.” MOE MATTHEW
Barber will be visiting as part of an extensive Australian tour in 2027, with further dates announced for Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville. 2027 will mark Sam’s fourth visit to Australia, and first headline tour since 2025 when he played an epic eight dates – including extra shows and upgraded venues – in response to overwhelming demand. Sam’s return follows a meteoric rise that has seen him amass more than 3.4 billion global streams, sell out headline shows around the world and emerge as one of the most compelling young voices shaping the future of country music.
One of the genre’s fastest-rising and “most in-demand artists” (Rolling Stone), Sam Barber has built a devoted global audience through deeply personal songwriting and an unfiltered perspective that resonates across generations. Co-written and co-produced by Barber himself, the sophomore album Broken View serves as a sweeping and introspective reflection on life’s complexities, exploring themes of love, loss and self-discovery. It follows the 2024 debut, Restless Mind, which received widespread critical acclaim, earned RIAA Gold certification, and features standout singles – 2x Platinum-certified “Straight and Narrow” and Platinum-certified “Indigo (Feat. Avery Anna)” – the latter of which has amassed over 728 million global streams and earned Barber a top 40 placement on Billboard’s Hot 100.
A truly enthralling live performer known for his raw and connective stage presence, Barber has spent much of the past few years on the road playing sold-out headline dates and festival appearances across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. He has shared stages with icons such as Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran, performed on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show and CBS Saturday Morning’s “Saturday Sessions,” and had his song “Tear Us Apart” featured on the soundtrack for the Twisters movie. Through it all, Barber has showcased a remarkable gift for raw honesty and youthful enthusiasm that has forced him into nearly every conversation about the future of country music. With his gift for raw honesty, deeply personal storytelling and youthful energy, Sam has quickly become a defining voice in the next generation of country music. His latest tour promises an intimate look at the artist behind the songs — and a glimpse at where his remarkable journey goes next.
Following a breakout year which saw him sell out shows around the world and expand his international following, Josiah and the Bonnevilles returns to Australia with As Is, the boldest and most ambitious album to date. It’s a collection that captures both sides of Josiah Leming’s performance style; the intimate, vulnerable songwriter and the commanding frontman capable of turning a room into a communal singalong. After years of building his following from the ground up, As Is arrives as both a deeply personal record and an invitation to experience these songs where they belong – together, in a room, with an audience singing them back.
General on-sale tickets will be available October 14 from 2pm local time, with Howlin’ Presale available from October 13 at 12pm local time – for more info, head to howlin.county.
HOWLIN’ PRESENTS: SAM BARBER
w/JOSIAH AND THE BONNEVILLES
Sunday April 11 Newcastle Foreshore Newcastle NSW
TICKETS
General Onsale: Wednesday, October 14 @ 2pm local
Howlin Presale: Tuesday, October 13 @ 12pm local
** Tickets:$99 + BF for 1st release / $109 + BF 2nd release / $119 + BF 3rd release U18: $99 + BF FREE 0-3 Years **
** FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT, ALL AGES **
OTHER HOWLIN’ DATES
HOWLIN’ COUNTRY PRESENTS ROCK N RODEO
Saturday February 13 Newcastle Foreshore Newcastle NSW
TICKETS
MAX McNOWN (USA)
KASEY CHAMBERS
THE WET WHISTLES
TORI DARKE
ELLIS UNDERCOVER
CHEAP WHISKEY DJs
& INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TBA
BULLS, BRONCS & BARREL RACING
** Tickets starting from $49 + BF for kids / $129 + BF for adults / FREE 0-3 Years **
** FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT, ALL AGES **
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