This blog post is all about my Ridin’ Hearts Festival review in Sydney.
If you’ve ever wished for a true country music festival in Australia complete with cowboy boots, denim jackets, and Nashville-worthy tunes, then Ridin’ Hearts Festival needs to be on your radar.
On Saturday, October 26th, I headed to Sydney Showground for my first Ridin’ Hearts Festival, and it completely exceeded my expectations.
With a lineup that included Megan Moroney, Nate Smith, Avery Anna, and Waylon Wyatt, it was the perfect mix of big-name country stars and up-and-coming talent.
I went with my boyfriend (also a country fan), and it was one of those days that made me fall in love with live music all over again. Warm weather, friendly crowds, incredible performances, and just the right amount of country twang.
If you’re thinking about going to Ridin’ Hearts Festival next year or just want to know what it’s like to experience this event in person, here’s my full Ridin’ Hearts Festival review from Sydney.
RELATED Ridin’ Hearts Festival Review blog posts to read:
- Luke Combs Concert Review: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- James Johnston Review: A Country Night at the Barracks, Sydney
- ‘Biblical’ Oasis Concert Review: Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles
- A Wild Kneecap Gig Review: Misneach Festival Sydney, Australia
- Courteeners Concert Review: Metro Theatre, Sydney, Australia
This blog post is all about my Ridin’ Hearts Festival review.
What Is Ridin’ Hearts Festival?
Ridin’ Hearts Festival is one of Australia’s newest country music festivals, and it’s already earned a reputation as a must-attend event for fans of the genre.
The 2025 edition took place over two days (Saturday in Sydney and Sunday in Melbourne) giving fans on both coasts a chance to experience the same incredible lineup.
The festival is all about celebrating modern country from Nashville chart-toppers to Australian homegrown stars, and the whole event feels like a mini slice of the U.S. South brought to Australia.
Think cowboy boots, trucker hats, and a crowd that knows every word to Tennessee Orange.
For me, the lineup was an instant sell. I’ve loved Megan Moroney for a while, but I was most excited to finally see Avery Anna, whose songs I’ve had on repeat for months.
Getting to Ridin’ Hearts Festival (Sydney Showground)
One of the things I loved most about the Sydney edition was how easy it was to get to.
The Sydney Showground is located in Olympic Park, and we took the train from the CBD, which was straightforward and convenient. There’s a direct line that stops right at the venue, and the trains ran regularly, so we didn’t have to wait around.
Getting home afterward was just as simple, even with the crowds leaving at the same time, we were back in the city in no time.
I’ve been to a lot of festivals where transport becomes a nightmare, but this was one of the smoothest experiences I’ve had in Sydney.
The Festival Setup & Atmosphere
The setup at Ridin’ Hearts Sydney was surprisingly well-organised for such a big outdoor event.
The main stage was front and centre with plenty of open grassy space, and there was also a second smaller stage toward the back of the venue for line dancing sessions, which were such a fun touch.
I loved that the vibe was super laid-back and friendly. People sat on the grass between sets, chatting and soaking up the sun, and it was easy to get close to the stage for all the acts.
The decor and branding were spot-on: Western-inspired with cute photo points, replica saddles, and Megan Moroney lyric quotes scattered throughout.
It felt like every corner was Instagram-worthy, and fans definitely dressed for the occasion. Everywhere you looked, there were cowboy boots, fringe jackets, trucker hats, denim-on-denim outfits, and even a few American football jerseys in tribute to Tennessee Orange.
The VIP section, Jack & Jolene’s, looked amazing with comfy seating, its own bar, and a great view of the stage. If I go again next year, that’s definitely where I’ll be upgrading to.
Food, Drinks & Facilities at Ridin’ Hearts Festival
When it comes to festival logistics, Ridin’ Hearts nailed it.
There were plenty of food trucks and BBQ stalls, serving everything from burgers to loaded fries, and the bars were well-staffed. I never once had to queue for a drink, which is basically unheard of at a festival!
There were picnic benches dotted around the food area which made it easy to sit down and eat, though most people just sat on the grass.
Toilets, on the other hand, were a different story. The queues were often very long (a universal festival problem for girls), but at least they were clean and easy to find.
There was also one big merch stall selling both Ridin’ Hearts Festival gear and artist merch. I couldn’t resist and bought a long-sleeved Ridin’ Hearts Festival T-shirt, which I’ll be wearing to death until next year.
Scattered around the venue were interactive areas with festival games, sponsor booths, and photo ops that kept the energy going between sets.
Everything felt thoughtfully curated and very “country meets the coast.”
Waylon Wyatt: A Rising Country Star
We arrived in time for Waylon Wyatt’s 5:45 PM set, and he was the perfect warm-up act for the evening.
Waylon’s still young, but he’s got that effortless storytelling charm that’s so core to country music. His set was chill and heartfelt, and his voice really stood out in the late afternoon light.
One of my favourite moments was when he brought Bella Mackenzie onstage to perform Smoke & Embers, a duet he usually sings with Willow Avalon. It was such a beautiful version, and you could tell the crowd loved it.
Waylon feels like one of those artists who’ll blow up in the next few years. He’s got that mix of sincerity and stage presence that makes you want to keep listening.
Avery Anna: My Standout of the Day
If I’m honest, Avery Anna was the reason I was most excited for this festival, and she absolutely did not disappoint.
Her performance was everything I hoped for: emotional, fun, powerful, and full of personality.
From the moment she stepped onstage, you could feel the crowd’s energy lift. She played all her big songs, including Mr. Predictable and Grave, both of which hit me right in the feels. Her voice live is even better than on her recordings: strong, clear, and full of emotion.
She also threw in a bunch of unexpected covers, which kept the set super engaging: Love Story by Taylor Swift, Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, a Creed song, and even a medley of traditional country tunes that ended with a verse of Amazing Grace.
The crowd loved every minute of it, singing along and cheering her on.
I’ve seen a lot of artists live, but Avery Anna’s energy was something special. She’s got that mix of youthful excitement and old-school soul that makes her stand out in today’s country scene.
For me, she was the highlight of Ridin’ Hearts Festival.
Nate Smith: A Rock-Country Powerhouse
Next up was Nate Smith, and he brought a totally different kind of energy: loud, electric, and full of swagger. You could tell he’s used to playing big stages.
He performed his hits like Whiskey on You and World on Fire, and the crowd went wild. His vocals were great live, and he really leaned into that rock-country sound with his band.
He even did a “shoey” (the most Australian thing ever) and chugged a couple of beers during his set, which got the crowd laughing and cheering.
Nate talked a bit about his journey to Nashville and how grateful he was to be touring in Australia, which was a nice personal touch. He also did a fun cover of Luke Combs’ Beer Never Broke My Heart, which got everyone singing along.
One of my favourite moments was when he performed Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend, his collab with HARDY, early in the set.
The graphics, the energy, the crowd reaction… it all came together perfectly.
Megan Moroney: She’s Definitely More than Okay
By the time Megan Moroney took the stage at 9:30 PM, the crowd was buzzing with excitement. You could spot her fans instantly with blue and white ribbons tied in their hair and on cowboy boots everywhere.
Her stage setup was stunning: dark blue lighting, a glowing moon backdrop, and a sparkly silver guitar that caught the light beautifully.
From the first song, she had the crowd completely captivated. Her setlist blended her biggest hits with fan favourites and new tracks, including Beautiful Things, 6 Months Later, Girl in the Mirror, and Tennessee Orange, which she saved for the encore.
Each song had the audience singing every word back to her.
She didn’t talk too much between songs, but her connection with the audience was obvious. She smiled, laughed, and interacted with fans throughout.
The final song, Am I Okay, ended with a shower of blue and white confetti, a perfect full-circle moment tying back to her signature colours.
Megan’s performance was confident, playful, and emotional all at once. You could tell she’s at the top of her game right now, and her Sydney show proved why she’s one of the biggest names in country music today.
The Overall Ridin’ Hearts Festival Experience
Looking back, Ridin’ Hearts Festival had such a great atmosphere from start to finish.
The crowd was a mix of groups of friends, couples, and country super-fans, all there to have a good time. It felt like one big community of people who genuinely love the music.
Fashion-wise, it was a country lover’s dream: Wrangler jeans, Ringers Western tees, cowboy boots, and hats everywhere you looked. Everyone fully leaned into the aesthetic, which made the day even more fun.
The weather was also perfect, warm but not too hot, with clear skies all night. And the festival size was ideal; big enough to feel lively, but small enough that you could move around easily and actually see the artists up close.
Compared to other festivals I’ve been to, what makes Ridin’ Hearts Festival stand out is the quality of the lineup and how accessible it is.
It’s the kind of event that gives you big-festival energy without the chaos.
My Ridin’ Hearts Festival Review
As a first-time attendee, I can confidently say that Ridin’ Hearts Festival is one of the best live music events I’ve been to in Australia.
Between the smooth organisation, incredible performances, and fun country atmosphere, it truly delivered on every front.
If I had to pick a favourite artist, Avery Anna wins it for me with her voice, her energy, her emotion, but getting to finally see Megan Moroney live was such a bucket-list moment.
Would I go again next year? Absolutely. If the lineup is even half as good, I’ll be there in my boots and hat ready to dance all over again.
If you’re planning to go next year, my advice would be simple:
- Wear comfy boots as you’ll be standing all day.
- Plan your schedule around the artists you want to see.
- Get there early if you want merch as the best items sold out fast!
This was a day filled with sunshine, music, and good vibes, everything you want from a country festival.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just dipping your boots into the genre, I hope this Ridin’ Hearts Festival review inspires you to grab a ticket next year.
Because trust me, once that confetti falls and the last guitar chord fades out, you’ll already be counting down the days until the next one.
RELATED Ridin’ Hearts Festival Review blog posts to read:
- Luke Combs Concert Review: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- James Johnston Review: A Country Night at the Barracks, Sydney
- ‘Biblical’ Oasis Concert Review: Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles
- A Wild Kneecap Gig Review: Misneach Festival Sydney, Australia
- Courteeners Concert Review: Metro Theatre, Sydney, Australia
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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