Bayleys Tussock Country

How do you distil the essence of a good time?

We reckon we’ve cracked it.

Consider this your personal invitation to sway the week away in Gore at Bayleys Tussock Country - NZ’s Country Music Festival.

It’s a vibrant celebration of Kiwi culture embracing music, heritage, classic vehicles and top-notch hospitality.

Gore is world-renowned as the home of country music in New Zealand, and the closest thing to Nashville you’ll find on these shores. 

With more than 60 events, including the legendary MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards, that old line ‘there’s something for everyone’ has never been truer.

An unrivaled gathering of the best and brightest Kiwi country talent.

Next event date: 24 May - 2 June 2024
Location: Gore
Keen to learn more: tussockcountry.nz

Bayleys Tussock Country is the energetic beating heart of the fresh, new country-crossover movement in New Zealand.

With over sixty events spanning ten days of back-to-back action, your social life in Southland has never sounded so sweet. 

Get front-row at the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards, Aotearoa's biggest talent quest uncovering the super voices of the future. Polished stars shine. Raw talents emerge. Be the envy of your friends – when you say: “I saw her before she made it big.”

Secure your ticket for the festival's gala evening, Country Music Honours. It’s authentic songwriting on show, with musicians telling uniquely Kiwi stories – from love songs to joyous harmonies expressing connections to our land. That sweet spot where songwriting and storytelling meet, creating a truly memorable experience as you connect with an artist’s innermost thoughts. ‘Bearing their souls’, as Johnny Cash put it.

Inspiration is on tap at the Green Bird Café Sessions where musicians gather to sing a few acoustics tunes. You never know who might roll up and jam out a few songs.

You might even feel inspired to join in the Open Mic Session - go on, whip your name up on the blackboard and show us what you’ve got. 

Explore the host of different festival venues nestled around the town - clubs, restaurants and bars, theatres and street fronts.  

Listen to street buskers while you’re out and about during the ‘Freeze Ya Bits Off’ competition, rally your decked wheels at the annual Ute Muster, warm up at line dancing lessons and wet your whistle at Old Hokonui - whiskey and food matching event. 

But don’t think all the entertainment happens after the sun goes down.

Fly in a vintage aircraft, view world-class art, browse fashion boutiques, sample Hokonui moonshine or take a stroll in Gore’s native bush surrounds – all in the shadow of the beautiful Hokonui Hills.

We know you dance to your own tune, we’d love you to come dance to ours.

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