This year’s Bend Classic is shaping up to be Australia’s biggest celebration of cars, country and camping – and today (May 14) the team behind the flagship event have shared an all-star lineup for its live music program.
Leading the pack is none other than Lee Kernaghan, who is still riding hot on the heels of his 2019 album Backroad Nation (with a follow-up rumoured to be on the way). In a statement, Kernaghan said of his keenness to headline the 2024 Bend Classic: “I cannot wait for my first visit to The Bend. It sounds like there is going to be a huge amount on for the fans and a fantastic mix of cars and country music which is always a great thing.”
Joining him on the lineup will be three of Australia’s brightest country music stars: Kasey Chambers, Brad Cox and Beccy Cole. They’ll all share the Country Concert Stage at The Bend’s newly built Podium Park, with more performers due to be announced in the coming weeks.
According to a press release, the 2024 Bend Classic will mark the first time that every corner of the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park (the world’s second-longest permanent circuit, located roughly an hour east of Adelaide in Tailem Bend) will be utilised for the event. It’ll be a three-day soiree for motorsport fanatics and lovers of all things country, running over the long weekend of October 25-27. First-release tickets are on sale now – head here to grab yours.
In addition to the inaugural country music festival, this year’s Bend Classic will kick off with an event dubbed the Bull Throttle, marrying freestyle motocross and bull-riding for the visual experience of a lifetime. On the Saturday (October 26), punters will have the chance to enjoy a suite of classic drag racing excellence with the Nostalgia Drag event, as well as racing on the main circuit that includes historic touring cars, Formula 5000s and more.
In a statement of his own, Alistair MacDonald – CEO of the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park – said he and his team are “so proud to be putting on this hugely unique event”, which he says “will not only attract car lovers, but country music fans and festival goers”.
He added: “The Bend Classic, presented by Burson Auto-Parts, will for the first time allow fans to experience every corner of The Bend, and we believe this is a jam-packed three-day offering that will see a huge-level of buzz and visitation to the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region.”
Adding to the sentiment was SA’s Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, who said: “The Bend continues to go from strength to strength, set to now host some beloved Aussie country music icons at the newly created Podium Park, and further amplifying the must-attend annual event, The Bend Classic. The stellar lineup will help draw even more crowds to the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong for the inaugural country music festival this October, as the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park cements its reputation as the place for cars, country, and camping.
“This is another major event on South Australia’s blockbuster events calendar that is helping strengthen South Australia’s position as an events destination of choice, while injecting valuable dollars into our visitor economy.”
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
