James Johnston Review: A Country Night at the Barracks, Sydney

Night at the Barracks in Manly, Sydney: James Johnston review.

Live music under the stars has a magic of its own, and that’s exactly what Night at the Barracks in Manly delivers.

Nestled by the ocean in a historic outdoor venue, this unique concert series has fast become one of Sydney’s most anticipated annual events.

Last night, country fans were treated to an unforgettable lineup headlined by James Johnston, one of Australia’s fastest-rising country stars, with support from the talented duo Zac & George.

My boyfriend and I actually won tickets to the show from the Ladies Love Country Instagram page. A great account to follow if you’re a fellow lady who loves all things Country music.

In this James Johnston review, I’ll take you through everything from the atmosphere of the venue to the standout moments from both acts.

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What is ‘Night At the Barracks’?

Night at the Barracks is an outdoor live music series held at North Head Sanctuary in Manly, just north of Sydney.

The venue itself is part of Australia’s rich history. Originally built as a military and quarantine site for those arriving into Australia by boat, today it offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour.

The concert series spans multiple weeks each spring, bringing together a lineup that blends rock, pop, classical, jazz, and country.

It’s an intimate setting with a festival-style layout, and the open-air environment makes the whole experience feel immersive and special.

You’ll find gourmet food stalls, local wine and beer, and relaxed seating that lets you soak up both the music and the atmosphere.

It’s the kind of venue where every performance feels personal, even with a large crowd.

How to Get to Night at the Barracks from Central Sydney

Getting to Night at the Barracks is part of the adventure. From Sydney CBD, the most scenic option is to take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf.

The ferry ride itself is a highlight, with iconic views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. And if you travel at sunset like we did, even better!

Once in Manly, you can either catch a shuttle bus provided by the event organizers, grab a quick Uber, or enjoy a 10-minute drive up to North Head Sanctuary.

Parking is available onsite but limited, so public transport or shuttles are the best bet.

My recommendation? Arrive early, grab dinner in Manly, and then make your way up to the Barracks before sunset to experience the view before the show kicks off.

What to Expect at Night at the Barracks

The setup at Night at the Barracks is designed for comfort and atmosphere. Here’s what you can expect when attending:

Seating at Night at the Barracks

General admission ticket holders can sit or stand at the concert. There are rows of plastic chairs set out in the middle area of the field, with a standing area in front of this.

We stood for the duration of the concert, and were able to get close to the stage and the main action.

There are also high tables and chairs at both sides of the venue for eating or standing with drinks.

The event is very family-friendly so we noticed older people and those with kids were seated for the concert.

Food Vendors at Night at the Barracks

Local gourmet vendors set up stalls offering everything from bbq and burgers to organic dishes and vegan meals.

We had incredible hot honey burgers and fries from Shorty’s Burgers, which was definitely the most popular vendor at the concert with a constant queue.

It was worth the wait!

Drinks at Night at the Barracks

There are licensed bars serving Australian wines, craft beers, and cocktails. You can purchase drinks throughout the night and bring them back to your seat or standing area.

The Vibe at Night at the Barracks

The combination of fairy lights, sea breeze, red dirt below your feet, and live music makes it feel like a boutique festival.

It’s casual enough for jeans and boots but with a polished edge that fits Manly’s coastal-chic energy.

Support Act: Zac & George Review

Before diving into the James Johnston review, it’s worth spotlighting the support act: Zac & George.

Who are Zac & George?

Zac & George are a singer-songwriter duo hailing from Tamworth, often referred to as the country music capital of Australia. The Tamworth Country Music Festival is very high on my Australia Bucket List!

Best friends since school, Zac & George have built a name for themselves through a mix of heartfelt songwriting and polished harmonies. They’ve spent time in Nashville, collaborating with international writers, and steadily building an audience back home in Australia.

Their breakout single Red Wine & Roses introduced them to a wider Australian country audience, while their latest track Long Neck Weekend sounds like it’s going to be an instant hit in the Aussie country charts.

Known for their easy charm and authentic storytelling, they’ve been described as “the next wave of Aussie country.”

Their Set at Night at the Barracks

Opening for James Johnston, Zac & George set the tone for the night with their rich harmonies and infectious energy.

Their performance had a raw sincerity, with catchy melodies with storytelling that resonated across the audience.

They also performed some great covers during their opening set, I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons, Zach Top’s I Never Lie, Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream and the popular Follow Me by Uncle Kracker.

One of the highlights was when James Johnston invited them back on stage later in the night to perform their collaborative track Some Things Never Change.

The chemistry between the three was undeniable, and it felt like a celebration of the strength in the Aussie country music scene.

For fans discovering them for the first time, Zac & George left a lasting impression. Their rising trajectory suggests they’ll soon be headlining shows of their own.

Check out Zac & George’s music here on Spotify.

Headliner: James Johnston Review

Now, onto the main event, the part everyone came for, and why you’re probably reading this blog post.

Who is James Johnston?

James Johnston is an Australian country singer-songwriter originally from Wingham, a small town in New South Wales.

Many will remember him as a finalist on Australian Idol back in 2009, where he first captured national attention with his soulful voice and heartfelt performances.

After time spent in Nashville developing his sound, James Johnston re-emerged onto the Australian music scene in 2021 with his breakout single RAISED LIKE THAT. A great song if you’re not familiar.

The track skyrocketed to success, becoming one of the fastest streamed Australian country songs of all time, surpassing 20 million streams across platforms.

Since then, James Johnston has become the most-streamed Australian-based country artist of the past two years, earning ARIA nominations and selling out tours across the country.

His music blends traditional country storytelling with modern production, giving him cross-genre appeal while staying true to his roots.

James Johnston’s Set at Night at the Barracks

From the moment James Johnston stepped on stage, the energy shifted. Backed by a full band, his set was a mix of hits, heartfelt ballads, and crowd-pleasing singalongs.

Opening with RAISED LIKE THAT, the crowd immediately erupted, singing along word-for-word.

James Johnston’s stage presence was magnetic: confident but down-to-earth, the kind of performer who feels like he’s singing directly to you, even in a large audience.

He weaved in fan favourites like SMALL TOWN and WE GREW UP ON, alongside newer material like COUNTRY IS FOR ME and GOOD FOR ME.

There were also a couple of covers thrown into the set too, with Keith Urban’s Love Somebody, even giving a nod to his recent divorce rumours, and showed off some incredible guitar skills covering ACDC’s Thunderstruck.

Between songs, James Johnston shared personal stories about his small-town upbringing and the journey to finding his voice in country music.

Why This Show Stood Out

What made this performance special was the combination of James Johnston’s powerful vocals, the stunning outdoor setting, and his genuine connection with the crowd.

You could feel the pride of seeing an Australian country artist who has carved out a unique space on the global stage.

And to top things off, when James Johnston left the stage for the night, he learnt he had an extra five minutes left so came back to sing RAISED LIKE THAT for a second time, leaving the crowd on a high.

Listen to James Johnston here on Spotify.

Night at the Barracks with James Johnston

This James Johnston review highlights just how memorable his headline show at Night at the Barracks truly was.

From Zac & George’s soulful harmonies to James Johnston’s powerhouse performance, the night was a showcase of Australian country music at its very best.

If you’re considering attending Night at the Barracks in the future, expect more than just a concert: the atmosphere, the food and drink, the stunning views, and of course, the incredible music.

For James Johnston, this was another milestone in a career that’s only just getting started.

And for the fans like myself who sang under the stars with him in Manly, it was a night they won’t forget.

Concerts Coming Up

I feel like concert season has well and truly started here in Sydney now that we’re fully into Spring.

I’ve got a Stereophonics gig coming up this month which Steff is overly excited for due to them being Welsh (naturally) and he’s also seen them live quite a few times before. If I’m honest, I think he has a little man-crush on Kelly Jones.

And to finish off the month of October, we’ll be attending Ridin’ Hearts Festival which I am especially excited for!

The lineup looks incredible with Megan Moroney headlining and Nate Smith, Avery Anna and Waylon Wyatt all joining the lineup.

Before the year ends, we’ve also got another Oasis concert to look forward to, and nights with Lewis Capaldi and Lady Gaga.

It’s going to be a busy few months of concerts!

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By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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What is ‘Night At the Barracks’?

How to Get to Night at the Barracks from Central Sydney