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Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston will headline the Bend Classic in 2026

Two country music giants will be on the lineup when a major festival returns to Tailem Bend in October.

Peri Strathearn

16 Mar 2026 — 1 min read

James Johnston and Lee Kernaghan hope to see generations of country music fans at Tailem Bend over the October long weekend. Photo: Littlelion PR.

Two country music giants will headline a music and motor sport festival at Tailem Bend this October.

Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston will be joint headliners at the Bend Classic, scheduled for October 2-4 at the Bend Motorsport Park.

Kernaghan is one of Australia’s best-selling country artists, a multiple ARIA Award winner with more than 30 top singles.

Johnston is huge, too, with tracks including Raised Like That and Small Town topping the streaming charts.

More artists will be announced down the line for a Saturday night show which will accompany a weekend of classic drag racing, motor sport and family entertainment.

“Country music festivals are all about big crowds, great stories and bringing people together, and the Bend Classic has all the ingredients to become something really special,” Kernaghan said.

“You’ve got the music, the camping, the atmosphere and a whole weekend built around it.

“I reckon this event has the potential to grow into the Tamworth of the south.”