2025 - Page 3 of 26 - STAGING Maverick

Artist Spotlight – John Fishell & Deepak Ram

With new album Notorious Partners in Crime, John Fishell and flautist Deepak Ram fuse East and West into an adventurous collaboration built on friendship, respect, and fearless creativity You’ve described your partnership with Deepak Ram as “like a fancy wine with a greasy cheeseburger.” What first drew you to this collaboration, and how did you know it would work musically? I met Deepak in the mid-90s when I moved to South Africa, and we’ve been close friends ever since. Over the years, we both moved around the US until we found ourselves in the same place — my hometown of Washington DC. That’s when I decided to leave teaching and put everything into being an artist. Deepak and I are very sensitive to each other’s strengths, and our instruments just sound good together. We played a few small shows, realised it clicked, and now here we are with a full record and tour. The new album Notorious Partners in Crime reimagines some of Deepak’s instrumentals with your lyrics. How did you approach writing words for pieces that already had strong identities in instrumental form? I had to be very careful. For “Lenasia,” I went through countless rewrites trying to capture Deepak’s stories of growing up in apartheid-era South Africa with some kind of poetry. Deepak prefers me to follow his melodies note-for-note, but I haven’t managed that yet. Instead, I used his motifs as instrumental breaks and sections within the songs. My priority was to leave his parts intact while shaping the pieces into proper popular music songs. “Space Time” is an especially adventurous track, shifting time signatures and blending genres. How do you balance technical complexity with keeping songs accessible? For me it’s about pairing complexity with a simple, effective melody or a groove that works with a straightforward lyric. That makes it more digestible. The Beatles and Led Zeppelin were masters at this. When I play those songs, I’m counting frantically in my head while trying to look relaxed — Deepak, of course, handles it effortlessly. You lost several guitars in a flood but recorded “If I Were a Carpenter” on a restored 1952 Gibson J-45 from your father. How did that affect your connection to the track? Honestly, I have a stronger bond with that guitar than the song itself. It’s been in my life forever, and it just suited playing with Deepak. The flood was devastating — most instruments were ruined. But the J-45 was at a repair shop, so it survived. That guitar carries enormous emotional weight. Your career has spanned rock, jazz, world music, and teaching. How did those paths prepare you for this cross-cultural project? Deepak is a bansuri master, while I’m more of a jack-of-all-trades. But I’ve always been the “pop/rock guy” who brings punch and structure to jazz, classical or world music. What really matters is our mutual respect and the supportive relationship we share. That’s the foundation. You’ve got a UK tour coming up in October. What can audiences expect from a Notorious Partners in Crime live show? This time we’ll be performing as an acoustic duo, so everything will be fully exposed — no percussionists or bassists to hide behind! It will be more intimate, which is both exciting and terrifying. I’ll lean on the strength of the songs, while Deepak is always wonderful to watch in any context. With Notorious Partners in Crime about to be released, what excites you most about this next chapter? I hope this is only the beginning. We definitely have another album in us if this one does well. More than anything, I want to perform this music around the world. If there’s an audience, I want to be there.

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Spotlight – Casey McQuillen

Exclusives / Ghyslaine Cordrey

From arena tours to her latest single “Wedding Day,” Casey McQuillen shares how honesty, resilience, and advocacy are shaping her most powerful chapter yet You’ve been announced as an advocate for Ditch The Label. What makes this partnership feel like the right step for you at this stage in your career? I’m so excited about this partnership. Ditch The Label is doing such important work, and I feel honoured to be part of it. My whole career has been about creating safe, honest spaces through music, and this feels like the perfect extension of that mission. At this point, I don’t just want to make music—I want to be part of something bigger that actually makes a difference. To use my voice and my platform to support people going through struggles I’ve faced—that’s exactly where I want to be. You’ve long been open about your personal experiences with bullying and body image. How have those challenges shaped both your music and your mission as an artist? Those experiences shaped everything. They were painful, but they gave me a deep understanding of why music matters. Music was my safe place, my way of turning hurt into something beautiful—and now I get to share that. I’m passionate about being open because I know how powerful it is to hear someone say, “I’ve been there too.” If my songs help someone feel less alone or more confident, that’s the heart of my mission. This year you’ve toured with both Anastacia and Loreen, performing to hundreds of thousands of people across Europe. What was it like stepping onto those big stages night after night? It was surreal. Walking out in front of that many people every night, the energy was electric—you could feel it before singing a note. Touring with icons like Anastacia and Loreen was inspiring, and sharing my music with audiences that size was exhilarating, terrifying, and joyful all at once. It stretched me in the best ways as a performer. You’re currently travelling the UK and Europe for your The Better Tour. What can fans expect from your headline shows compared to the arena support slots you’ve been doing? The arena shows were amazing, but headline shows are more intimate and personal. I get to tell the stories behind the songs and really connect with the audience. Fans can expect a lot of heart, honesty, and some surprises too. Seeing people who are there just for my music never gets old. Your new single “Wedding Day” arrived in the summer. What inspired the track, and how does it fit into the next chapter of your music? “Wedding Day” is about the bittersweet reality of situationships; dreaming about forever with someone who was never really yours. It’s a push and pull between fantasy and truth, romantic and warm but tinged with sadness. That contradiction is something I think many connect to. For me, it marks a step into being honest about the messy sides of love, wrapped in lush, emotional music. Looking ahead, what are your biggest creative or personal goals for the next couple of years? Creatively, I want to keep being braver in my writing, digging into the messy parts of life and turning them into songs that feel both personal and universal. Personally, I’d love to create more spaces where fans feel like part of a community, not just an audience. Long-term, I’d love my tours to fill arenas on my own. That dream feels closer than ever, and I’m so excited to chase it.

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Lifestyle Spotlight – Vera Black

Exclusives / Ghyslaine Cordrey

From Portobello Market to global festivals, Vera Black has become a fashion staple of the country and Americana scene. Here she shares her journey, inspirations, and future plans How and when did you start the Vera Black brand? It all began quite organically. My husband Luke and I were musicians for almost 20 years – I was a singer-songwriter, and Luke played drums and guitar. We toured extensively, even across the States, where I won a Nashville songwriting award for my song “The Fool”. During that time I became inspired by the stage looks I saw, but I couldn’t find what I wanted. So, I started buying beads, feathers, and materials to make my own jewellery and accessories. I had no formal training, just learning as I went along. When we moved to London in 2011 for artist development, I began building the brand on the streets – first at Portobello Market, then Brick Lane and Camden. It wasn’t long before we found success, and the brand began to grow rapidly. Where did the inspiration for your unique designs come from, particularly your now famous hats? Portobello Market had a huge influence, especially given its history with style icons like Jimi Hendrix. Around 2013, I was invited to trade at the very first C2C Festival. Customers there suggested I design hats to match my jewellery, and by the third year I introduced them – they sold out instantly. This was the start of the Americana country boom in the UK, and our designs became a staple at festivals. From there we began catering to the US scene as well. You’ve also styled a number of artists. Can you tell us about that? Styling is something I absolutely love. I started with my own music videos and fashion films, then moved into working with other artists. I’ve collaborated with music photographer Rob Blackham on shoots with Elles Bailey, Troy Redfern and American artist Arielle. We’ve also had celebrities wear our pieces, from Johnny Depp, Tom Hardy, Brenton Thwaites and Dougie Poynter to Drake White, Adam Ant, Dee Snider, Brown Mark, The Veronicas, Everette, Robert Plant and Eva Green. The list keeps growing. Do you have a physical shop, or are you mainly on the festival circuit? We had a shop in Camden for a few years, which really boosted the brand. When the pandemic hit, we shifted focus online and doubled down on festivals like The Long Road, C2C, Black Deer and Buckle & Boots. We’ve since moved to the Shropshire Hills and enjoy working from there while taking the brand out on the road. Can you tell us about the materials you use in your designs? We handmake all our jewellery here in the UK. We have four of us who are constantly making pieces all day every day. All our feathers are ethically sourced, our wood and gemstone beads are of the highest quality and we use a strong faux leather where possible. Our hats are bought as blanks, handmade in Texas & Mexico, and I have a unique technique of burning, painting and distressing them. What’s next for the Vera Black brand? At this year’s Long Road Festival we introduced Vera’s Blackbird Café, which got amazing feedback. That inspired us to develop a roaming bar concept. We’re renovating our 1972 Dodge van into a pirate ship–style cabin with a travelling bar, booth seating, marquee, lighting, rocking chairs and karaoke. The idea is to let people rent it for weddings, birthdays, corporate events or parties – the full Vera Black country/rock ’n’ roll experience. We hope to have it ready by spring 2026, so watch this space!

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Rachael Sage: Canopy of Hope

Exclusives / Ghyslaine Cordrey

With her new album Canopy, Rachael Sage brings together resilience, inclusivity, and a fearless sense of creativity. She speaks to Maverick about collaboration, identity, and finding light in dark times It’s been just over a year since we last featured you in Maverick. How has life and work been for you since then? I’ve done an enormous amount of touring since the spring, some of it unexpected. I had just recorded Canopy and thought I’d lay low for a while, maybe book a few shows for the autumn. But then my wonderful peer Kristen Ford invited me to go on a co-bill tour with her. It came at a moment when things were very heated politically in the US, and as LGBTQ+ artists we felt we needed to do something positive—creating a safe space through our live performances. That became the Joy = Resistance Tour. We’ve been criss-crossing the US and I’ve also played shows in the UK under that banner. It’s been incredibly gratifying to be out there building community and sharing music every night. Canopy is your first full-band album credited as Rachael Sage & The Sequins. Why did now feel like the right time to embrace that format? After nearly 30 years of doing this, I realised just how vital musical community is to me. It wasn’t a sudden epiphany, more a gradual awareness that the recordings people know me for have never been just me. Yes, I write, produce, arrange, sometimes co-produce—but these albums are the result of extraordinary players I’ve been lucky to work with. I’ve toured with some of them for almost a decade now, and they are truly among the finest musicians in the world. There’s a unique chemistry when we come together, and I wanted to highlight and honour that by putting their name right there with mine. It’s giving them their flowers. The title track opens the album with a direct, almost mission-statement quality. How did Canopy set the tone for the record? It’s one of the most straightforward songs I’ve ever written. I tend to be cryptic and poetic, but Canopy begins with “I believe.” For me, that line framed the whole record. I was writing in the first person, but it was also a reflection of the beliefs of many people I love and care about. Once the song was born, I realised I had the chance to curate songs—old and new—that carried the same ethos of inclusivity. It’s about connecting even when we disagree, about listening. That’s something I experience deeply in the UK, where conversation after shows often inspires me as much as the performance itself. The album really grew from that urge to connect. The record moves between jubilant energy on songs like “Live It Up” and more contemplative moments such as “Nexus.” How did you find that balance? Honestly, I joke that my ADD is useful musically. I get bored by sameness. Whether painting or composing, I like to approach the same themes from multiple angles. So if I’ve written a contemplative ballad like “Nexus” or “Underneath,” my next instinct is usually to lighten the mood, to soothe myself with something upbeat, even if the lyrics are equally fraught. It’s about dynamics. As a listener, I love records that take me up and down emotionally, and I try to offer that same experience. You were recently named the first artist ambassador for Rainbow Mind. How does that role connect with Canopy? When Rainbow Mind approached me, I was enormously honoured. Their work feels vital right now, when divisiveness and rejection of difference seem so widespread. Their approach—LGBTQ+ individuals helping other LGBTQ+ individuals—is unique and powerful. It’s peer-to-peer support, which can make a world of difference. As someone who came out long before social media, I can hardly imagine navigating that today, with so much hate out there. The album reflects that same mission: to create safe havens, to say that mental health matters, and to remind people they are not alone. It’s music aligned with empathy… Read the full interview here.

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Jaywalkers Announce Autumn UK Tour

News / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Following the release of their album Move On earlier this year, Americana powerhouse trio Jaywalkers have announced a UK tour this autumn. With singles getting picked up across national radio, including support from BBC 2 Folk Show, BBC Radio 2 Blues show, as well as BBC 6 Music Cerys Matthews show, alongside 5 Star reviews in the music press, their latest record delivers the band’s virtuosic brand of Americana with a sound that feels both fresh and familiar, with the three outstanding musicians’ tight bond and well-crafted, tasteful arrangements on full display. Jaywalkers are an English Americana trio featuring Jay Bradberry (lead vocals, violin), Mike Giverin (mandolin) and Lucille Williams (double bass). Drawing from a melting pot of influences from Country heartbreak to Bluegrass dynamism, the combination of powerhouse bass, flame-fingered mandolin, blistering fiddle and three-part harmonies pack a punch as fiery as Jay’s lead vocals. There’s no better way to experience Jaywalkers than in person. Their live shows are fun, intimate, and full of the kind of energy that can only come from a band completely immersed in the music they create. For more than 10 years, Jaywalkers have toured regularly across the UK and Europe, honing their craft and releasing their fifth album Move On this year. Mandolin maestro Mike Giverin is also the chief songwriter, and the band’s originals cover themes including the travails of the travelling musician, saving the planet and even tales of being stranded halfway up a mountain. All of these stand proudly alongside their clever covers, foot-stomping bluegrass tunes, and superb interpretations of old country classics. With a passion for storytelling and a dedication to their craft, Jaywalkers latest album cemented their place in the roots music community, and the autumn tour is a chance to see them at the top of their game. Jaywalkers received support from Arts Council England for this tour, after being selected for growth support as an upcoming, local band from England. Tour Dates https://www.jaywalkers.co.uk/tour 20th Sept Potteries Folk Day HERE 27th Sept Manley Village Hall HERE 3rd Oct Norwegian Church Arts HERE 4th Oct St Jerome’s Llangwm HERE 11th Oct Catwick Live 23rd Oct Court House Bangor HERE 24th Oct Sligo Live HERE 25th Oct Moynihan’s Back Room HERE 26th Oct Colfer’s Bar Wexford HERE 7th Nov Crediton Arts Devon HERE 8th Nov The Prince Albert Stroud HERE 13th Nov The Cluny, Newcastle HERE 14th Nov The Pit, Newstead HERE 15th Nov Blue Sky Café, Bangor HERE 21st Nov Green Note, London HERE 23rd Nov Kitchen Garden Cafe HERE 28th Nov Kilbarchan, Scotland HERE

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The Dreaming Spires New Album ‘Normal Town’

News / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Acclaimed Oxfordshire five-piece The Dreaming Spires are set to mark their eagerly awaited return with the release of their new album, ‘Normal Town’, on November 7th through Clubhouse Records. This will be the band’s third album and their first new music in nearly a decade. ‘Normal Town’ was self-produced at various locations in their hometown of Didcot, with some overdubs contributed by keyboard player Tom at his home in the Scottish Borders. The album was mastered by Tony Poole, known for his work with Starry Eyed & Laughing and Bennett Wilson Poole. The Dreaming Spires are a British band known for their distinctive harmonies, roots-infused sound, and Americana-tinged indie rock. Their music has drawn comparisons to artists such as Big Star, Gram Parsons, Teenage Fanclub, and The Byrds, incorporating elements of Americana, country, folk/rock, and classic 60s pop. Exploring themes of home, nostalgia, alienation and the beauty of the everyday, the record blends 60s rock ‘n’ roll influences, nodding to the Who, Jeff Lynne and the Everly Brothers, and chamber pop accents underpinned by a subtle layer of political commentary, with tracks like ‘Normalisation’, ‘21st Century Light Industrial’ and the title track ‘Normal Town’, which pays homage to their hometown of Didcot, once dubbed “the most normal town in England.” Brothers Robin and Joe Bennett previously formed the Oxfordshire indie band Goldrush in the early 2000s, which signed to Virgin Records. Over the last decade, they have toured the world as part of Saint Etienne’s live band and the award-winning group Bennett Wilson Poole. Jamie Dawson drums for touring US artists such as Annie Keating and Carter Sampson, while Tom Collison also plays keys in Danny & the Champions of the World. Nick Fowler is band member of choice for the likes of Gaz Coombes and Peter Buck. “The Dreaming Spires have a familiar sound, one that seems to sit at the fringes of recollection. Perhaps it’s the cast involved. The band are an offshoot of Goldrush and Danny & The Champions Of The World, with their sound reflecting the shimmering, acoustic side of those projects.” – CLASH MAGAZINE In addition to their standout live performances, the band have been busy immersing themselves in various creative projects. This year, The Dreaming Spires celebrate their return with an impressive new record and UK tour in November, marking the next chapter in their illustrious journey. Normal Town UK Tour https://thedreamingspires.co.uk/ 6th November, The Water Rats, London – Album Launch 7th November, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot 8th November, Great Easton Village Hall, Great Easton 12th November, The Eagle Inn, Salford, Manchester 13th November, The Rum Shack, Glasgow 15th November, Music in the Hall, Bewdley

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Lee Brice celebrates releases ‘Killed the Man’

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Curb Records hitmaker, Lee Brice, takes a reflective look back at his life and how far he’s come in his latest release, ‘Killed the Man‘, out now. The track, written by Michael Whitworth, Troy Cartwright and Jared Conrad; and produced by Brice, Ben Glover and Jerrod Niemann, is the story of a man who takes stock of his life and reflects on the changes from who he was to who he is now with the help from the woman who made him a better man. The song’s themes also extend to anyone whose been faced with a call to change their lives and the evolution that comes alongside that change. Also out today via YouTube Premiere, is the cinematic official music video for ‘Killed the Man’ directed by Chase Lauer. Be sure to tune in on November 7th at 10am CT / 4pm GMT to Lee Brice’s YouTube channel, where he will host a special “behind the video” afterparty for fans to ask questions and get behind the scenes stories of recording ‘Killed the Man’ and its music video. “When I first heard this song, it made me look back at my own life – the man who I was, isn’t the man I am today. I think the message is something anyone can relate to as we all strive to grow through life and its challenges. For me, “Killed The Man” feels like an evolution -becoming who God intended me to be, leaning into family, faith, and something bigger than myself.” – Lee Brice LISTEN: ‘Killed the Man‘ WATCH: ‘Killed the Man’ Official Music Video This year, Lee has been releasing new tracks kicking off 2025 with the ode to vulnerable masculinity, ‘Cry’. The heartbreak anthem was then followed by ‘Said No Country Boy Ever’ where Brice calls on some of his famous friends (Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Jerrod Niemann, Dallas Davidson and Rob Hatch; aka The Traler Park) for a song that raises a glass to mama’s fried chicken, honest hard work and hunting season. Stay tuned for even more new music coming from Brice. For additional information on Lee Brice, including upcoming show dates and tickets, please visit LeeBrice.com.

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Platinum artist Atlus releases ‘Secondhand Smoke’

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Platinum recording artist Atlus releases his BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville debut EP, Secondhand Smoke, today. The six-song collection marks the next chapter for the viral hitmaker whose career has grown from underground phenom to a billion-plus on-demand streams, four independent studio albums, a Platinum single, national touring, and millions of fans across social platforms. “The songs on Secondhand Smoke are more than just individual tracks; they are chapters from my life,” says Atlus. ”Each one tells a story that I’ve lived through and it’s my hope that they push somebody out there to keep fighting, dreaming, and that there is something in one of those chapters that helps them keep showing up.” Pulling back the curtain on his past to forge a new path forward, Secondhand Smoke sees Atlus writing on each track, confronting deeply personal themes, from a turbulent home life and his mother’s resilience, to his sister’s battle with addiction and his own journey with mental health. Listen to Secondhand Smoke HERE. His mother remains his biggest supporter, and much of the Secondhand Smoke EP pays tribute to her and hardworking women like her. The title track recalls how she never let circumstances define her, working long hours to make trailer and car payments, with cigarettes providing her one small comfort. “I didn’t care about secondhand smoke because I saw what she was going through. It was like therapy, and the glue that kept her held together.” Even listeners who have not had the same experience can relate to a parent leaning on something to make it through. “Baby Momma” continues that homage. The song flips its title into a triple entendre, a nod to the rap wordplay that shaped his style alongside country, pop, and rock. It even features a voice note from his mom singing a melody his grandfather wrote about him. “It’s a song my grandpa used to sing to me. My new music is really a tribute to them.” Family has always been his priority. His success has allowed him to retire his mom, but before music took off, the now 33-year-old juggled two truck-driving jobs, UPS shifts, and Uber rides to cover studio time. He wrote his first two albums behind the wheel, practicing vocals and uploading a new track or video to YouTube each week. His debut radio single, “Devil Ain’t Done,” impacts country radio this Monday, October 13. An instant fan favorite, infectious grooves and melodies highlight the former truck driver’s lyrics in “Devil Ain’t Done” as it reflects themes of self-doubt & perseverance. Grappling with relatable struggles that so many empathize with, this track expands on the singer-songwriter’s mission to make music that is both universal and uniquely him. Listen HERE / Watch Video HERE Atlus marked the release of Secondhand Smoke with a special Nashville preview performance at Cannery Hall last night to a capacity crowd.

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Pictue of Bootleggers Bonfire promo - Maverick

Event Preview – Bootleggers Bonfire

Live events, News / Editor

Sun, salt air and stadium-sized sound come together at Bootleggers Bonfire — the ultimate country escape on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Pack your sunscreen and your favourite flannel — because Luke Combs’ Bootleggers Bonfire returns to Miramar Beach, Florida, this 23–25 October for three days of music, waves and southern soul. Tucked into the shoreline of Seascape Resort, this boutique beach festival turns the traditional country weekender on its head, trading crowded arenas for a curated, intimate fan experience. At Bootleggers Bonfire, the stage is metres from the sea, the crowd is capped at just 5,500, and every set feels personal. It’s part-concert, part-vacation — an immersive three-day retreat for die-hard country fans ready to ditch the dust and dip their boots in the Gulf. Headliner on Holiday Leading the bill is Luke Combs himself — but this isn’t your standard tour stop. Combs will deliver two unique headline sets: a Deep Cuts night on Thursday, followed by a Stadium Hits set on Saturday. It’s a rare chance to hear the full spectrum of his songbook, from crowd favourites like “Fast Car” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart” to fan treasures that don’t always make the arena setlist. He’s joined by a tight, hand-picked line-up reflecting both Combs’ roots and his future vision for the genre. The Castellows — known for their blend of Appalachian harmonies and Gen Z grit — open Thursday. David Lee Murphy, a veteran hitmaker with a honky-tonk heart, shares Friday’s bill with rising Georgia native Dylan Marlowe, while Saturday’s stage welcomes alt-country powerhouse Ella Langley, fresh off a breakthrough year. Your Cove, Your Crowd Unlike big-box festivals, Bootleggers Bonfire is designed for comfort and connection. Fans can book reserved Coves for two to six people — roped-off spaces on the beach that come with seating, direct stage views, and the option for food, drinks and merch to be delivered right to your spot. For those after a front-row thrill, Bootleggers Beach offers standing room just steps from the stage — with numbers limited to preserve the intimate atmosphere. It’s the best of both worlds: up-close access with laid-back, toes-in-the-sand vibes. Campfire Country Culture But the experience goes far beyond the main stage. Each day unfolds like a coastal carnival of country culture — from sunrise yoga sessions and fishing tournaments, to drum circles, bonfire jam nights, and a raucous Luke‑I‑Oke karaoke session where fans can perform onstage with the house band. Evenings bring golden-hour performances and spontaneous singalongs, while daytime is built for beach hangs and slow living. Whether you’re grabbing cocktails from a tiki pop-up, swapping stories at the Songwriters Bonfire, or dancing through the Wildcards 90’s Night, every detail has been crafted for connection. Close-Up and All In In an era of mega-fests and oversold arenas, Bootleggers Bonfire feels like a breath of warm, coastal air — proving that country music doesn’t need grandstands to be grand. It’s a celebration of songwriters, a treat for superfans, and a reminder that sometimes the best way to feel music… is barefoot. Whether you’re there for the setlists or the sunsets, Bootleggers Bonfire ‘25 delivers the rarest of combinations: a headliner at the top of his game, in a setting built to bring fans closer than ever before. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Picture of Ridin'Hearts Festival - Photo by PR - Maverick

Event Preview – Ridin’ Hearts

Live events, News / Editor

City rooftops meet country roads as Ridin’ Hearts returns to Sydney and Melbourne in October—serving up boot-stomping music, rising stars, and all-out festival fun. Get ready to dust off your boots and feel the pulse of country magic—because Ridin’ Hearts Festival is back for its third year, bigger, louder and bolder than ever. On Saturday 25 October at Sydney Showground and Sunday 26 October at Melbourne’s Caribbean Gardens, this unique city-centre festival is ready to once again bring the heart of Nashville to Australia’s east coast. Unlike any other event on the calendar, Ridin’ Hearts blends high-energy performances with streetwear cool, cowboy boot glamour, and boutique vibes. It’s where fans come to celebrate the modern face of country music—genre-fluid, emotionally rich, and undeniably fun. A Headline Act with Heart Topping the bill this year is none other than Megan Moroney. Nicknamed the “emo cowgirl” for her blend of vulnerability and sass, Moroney has fast become a country superstar. With over 2.8 billion global streams, viral tracks like “No Caller ID” and “Tennessee Orange,” and a second studio album Am I Okay? hot off the press, Moroney’s set promises to be a singalong celebration and an emotional gut-punch rolled into one. She’ll be joined by Nate Smith, whose powerhouse vocals and emotionally direct songwriting have earned him massive crossover appeal. Known for anthems like “Whiskey on You” and “Bulletproof,” Smith was crowned Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and recently took home ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year. Rising Stars and Local Favourites As ever, Ridin’ Hearts isn’t just about the biggest names—it’s a platform for tomorrow’s headliners. Avery Anna returns to Australian shores after winning over fans at CMC Rocks earlier this year. The 20-year-old viral sensation has already proven she’s more than a TikTok success story—her ballads hit with the emotional weight of someone twice her age. Then there’s Waylon Wyatt, a fresh Nashville face who’s balancing graduation with festival tours. Armed with heartland grit and youthful optimism, he’s quickly building buzz as a new voice to watch. From closer to home, Golden Guitar nominee Lane Pittman represents Australia’s own country resurgence, having recently supported Luke Combs on his national stadium tour. His blend of raw vocals and relatable lyrics are bound to resonate with hometown crowds. Additional highlights include Blake Whiten, Sara Berki, Karley Scott Collins, and Lewis Love—all artists who blur the lines between country, folk, and Americana in exciting ways. A True Country Experience But Ridin’ Hearts isn’t just about the music. This is a festival designed to delight the senses. Visitors can browse curated market stalls, grab bites from local food trucks (everything from Southern BBQ to vegan options), and sip craft cocktails at pop-up bars throughout the site. There’s also a strong fashion and lifestyle element: from glitter cowboy hats to custom denim, festivalgoers come dressed to impress. In fact, it’s not unusual to see a full runway of Western-meets-streetwear looks unfold right there on the grass. Saddle Up With both Sydney and Melbourne shows offering stacked line-ups and good vibes from morning to sundown, Ridin’ Hearts continues to carve out a unique space in the global festival calendar. It’s equal parts concert, community, and country celebration—proof that this genre is no longer confined to the American South. Whether you’re new to country or a die-hard fan, Ridin’ Hearts offers something rare: the chance to experience the sound, style, and soul of modern country music in the beating heart of Australia’s biggest cities. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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