Country music and rodeo entertainment are coming together for a major new event at Newcastle Foreshore, with Australian country music star Kasey Chambers and American singer-songwriter Max McNown announced as the headline performers.

Howlin’ Rock N Rodeo will take place at Newcastle Foreshore on Saturday, February 13, 2027, with organisers planning separate daytime and evening sessions.

The event is set to combine live country music with rodeo entertainment, giving Newcastle audiences a new festival-style experience on the city's waterfront.

Kasey Chambers will headline the daytime session. The Australian performer has built a career spanning more than 25 years and is known for a catalogue that includes songs such as The Captain and Not Pretty Enough. She will also bring material from her more recent work to the Newcastle event.

The evening session will be headlined by American singer-songwriter Max McNown. The Oregon-born artist has developed an international following through his country and folk-influenced music and songs including A Lot More Free and Better Me For You (Brown Eyes).

Organisers are presenting the two-session format as an opportunity for audiences to choose how they experience the festival. The daytime program will provide a country music focus led by Chambers, while the evening session will feature McNown.

The Newcastle Foreshore location is expected to provide a distinctive setting for the event, with the waterfront precinct regularly hosting concerts, festivals and other large public gatherings.

The announcement comes at a time when regional festivals are increasingly being viewed as important contributors to local entertainment and tourism economies. Events can bring visitors into a city while also creating additional activity for hospitality businesses, accommodation providers, transport operators and other local businesses.

For Newcastle, the festival adds another major music event to the city's calendar and gives local country music fans the opportunity to see both Australian and international performers.

The combination of established Australian talent and a rising American country artist also gives the event a broad audience appeal. Chambers has a long-standing following in Australia, while McNown represents a newer generation of country performers building audiences internationally.

The event is scheduled for February 2027, meaning Newcastle residents and visitors will have several months to plan for the festival.

The announcement was made on September 15, 2026, with further event details expected as the festival approaches.

With the Newcastle Foreshore selected as the venue, Howlin’ Rock N Rodeo is positioned to become one of the city's notable music and entertainment events next summer.