RIDIN’ HEARTS – CARIBBEAN GARDENS – MELBOURNE – 03.11.2024
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Not a tumbleweed in sight as we rode into the Ridin’ Hearts Country Music Festival at Caribbean Gardens in Rowville. Melbourne put on the perfect day and Caribbean Gardens provided a well-laid out setting, allowing plenty of room for everyone to sing and dance about or hit the saloon bars. It was fascinating to people watch and see the broad range of wonderful outfits everyone was wearing, donning cowboy hats and boots.
Lately I’ve been listening more and more to Country music with the likes of Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen, Bailey Zimmerman, Hardy, Travis Collins, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Brad Cox and even Post Malone’s country album added to the mix too!
Now here I am at my first Country Music Festival. Ridin’ Hearts had a wonderful, diverse line-up of young country singer-songwriters from Australia, America and Canada playing modern Country rock, folk and pop. This music genre has a very fresh and vibrant sound that has created a resurgence in Country music. It’s getting more popular than ever and I read where Country music has now become the most popular music genre in Australia. This was obvious by the droves of fans in attendance that had come from far and wide to enjoy and experience this Country Music Festival. Throughout the day, we spoke to people that had travelled from Country Victoria and interstate. It was a predominantly young Gen Z crowd confirming the fact that the youth of today are listening to Country music.
The afternoon commenced with 19-year old Bella Mackenzie from the coal mining town of Moranbah, Central QLD, Australia. What an incredible start to Ridin’ Hearts with Bella delivering a stellar performance and setting the bar high right from the get go. The stage backdrop was effective with two giant cowboy boots substituting the ‘LL’ in Bella. Bella is well-known for her energetic live performances, unique style, soulful tones and brand of storytelling. Bella appeared on ‘The Voice’ back in 2023 and was so impressive that Guy Sebastian had her support him on his tour. Bella performed songs from her upcoming album Wild Thing with crowd favourites: Wasted; Cowboy and Wild Thing.
Next was American Singer-Songwriter Austin Snell from the small town of Dublin in the State of Georgia. Austin has a great band and they play hard rock country music. Snell interacted well with the crowd and sang lyrically-impressive catchy and heartfelt songs. Some of his standout songs were – ‘Excuse The Mess’; ‘Pray All The Way Home’; ‘Wasting All These Tears’; ‘Some Things Just Stick’ and a cover of Morgan Wallen’s ‘Up Down’. I thoroughly enjoyed Snell’s set.
Singer-Songwriter Casey Barnes from Tasmania is a well-established Country music singer in Australia has been singing for 20 years now. CB supported Bryan Adams back in 2005 and he won an ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 2022 with his Light It Up album. It was a hot afternoon and CB came out wearing a pair of shorts, white runners and a Ridin Hearts cap and hoodie with BARNES 24 on the back. The bass player was wearing an AFL Hawks sleeveless footy jumper (you can’t get any more Aussie than that!). CB has a sublime confident voice delivering a wonderful set of his hits. It was noticeable how popular CB is with fans singing along to ‘Never Break You’ & ‘The Way we Ride.’ He played new songs ‘Mayday’; ‘Summer Nights’; ‘Miracles’ and ‘Never Give Up On A Good Thing’ from his latest release Mayday (2024) album. A highlight was when Casey sang a cover of Goanna’s Solid Rock that had the crowd singing along with passion and Aussie spirit.
Tanner Adell is a young, free-spirited female country singer/songwriter, born in Kentucky, USA and was brought up between the coast of Manhattan Beach, California and Star Valley, Wyoming. Her album Buckle Bunny released in 2023 gained huge popularity and Adell recently appeared on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album singing a duet cover of The Beatles ‘Blackbird.’ Adell came out in a pale blue outfit with matching cowboy boots and looked amazing. Adell sings country pop music and sang ‘Silverado’, ‘Whisky Blues’ and ‘Throw It Back’
Singer/songwriter MacKenzie Porter is from Alberta, Canada. Porter sang and played her sparkle guitar and violin throughout her set which looked and sounded amazing. MP engaged well with the crowd and was definitely one of the crowds favourites today. MP sang: ‘These Days’; ‘Have Your Beer’; ‘Pickup’; ‘About You’; ‘Seeing Other People.’
In between sets, there was a Signing Tent where fans could indulge in a Meet N’ Greet with each of today’s performing artists and get their cowboy hats or merch signed. This was hugely popular along with The Lone Spur Tent that had Country Club Line Dancing and Boot Scootin’ Silent Disco. There were also a bunch of cowboys doing the ‘strength’ test. Joining their belts together to form a loop, they would get down on their hands and knees, put the looped belt around their necks and then see who could pull the other one over first in order to win. Hilarious!
Also emerging from Canada, Josh Ross is from Ontario who sings and plays guitar. JR has supported Bailey Zimmerman and Nickelback. The opening was a stage back drop showing a car radio sliding along the radio dials playing a range of hits that JR had listened to growing up. During JR’s set he played a medley of his favourite songs that included ‘Kryptonite’ by 3 Doors Down. JR has a wonderful raspy voice and with his incredible band they delivered some absolute country belters like ‘Ain’t Doin’ Jack’; ‘Single Again’; ‘Trouble’ and ‘On A Different Night.’ JR sang his new single ‘Complicated’ which is a ripper. JR also sang a cover of The Goo Goo Dolls ‘Iris’ which the crowd loved and sang with gusto.
Cooper Alan from North Carolina, USA was definitely the crowd favourite today creating a party-like atmosphere with his Southern charm and humour and really connecting with the crowd singing catchy sing-a-long tunes like ‘Feel Like Hell Today’; ‘First Rodeo’; ‘Colt 45’; Never Not Remember You’ and ‘Take Forever.’ CA did a medley of Australian songs by AC/DC (Back In Black), The Angels (Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again), Men At Work (Down Under), Natalie Imbruglia (Torn). CA is on the rise and has independently built up a massive fanbase from streaming his music. He has a unique country twang that sets his voice apart from other singers. He specialises in creating melodic and emotional tracks that will capture your heart and soul. CA blends elements of pop, folk and country music creating a unique sound that is all his own. CA finished his show doing a shoey from a cowboy boot and then threw the boot out into the crowd.
Headliner, Riley Green is a Multi-Platinum selling singer-songwriter from Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. RG has been singing for over 10 years now. RG has a stellar 7-piece band consisting of: slide guitarist (who also plays violin, banjo, mandolin), keys, several guitarists (who all provide harmonious backing vocals) along with RG on lead vocals and acoustic guitar. RG was joined on stage for a duet with Mackenzie Porter singing ‘You Look Like You Love Me.’ Both Cooper Alan and Josh Ross also joined him for a song. Other songs RG delivered during his set were ‘Jesus Saves’; ‘Damn Good Day To Leave’; ‘There Was This Girl’; ‘I Wish Grandpas Never Died’; Different Round Here’. RG has a new album out called: ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ which I’ve been listening to and is well worth a listen.
Overall, it was a perfect day with a beautiful energy and vibe. I can now see why Country music is on the rise in popularity with these young country artists transforming the genre into a modern, feel-good, grounding style of music. I’m converted! Yee haw
