In May, catastrophic flooding on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes as the Manning River reached unprecedented levels. Over the span of one week, communities experienced more than 700 millimetres of rainfall, leading to extensive flooding in towns including Wingham, Taree, Harrington, Coopernook, Nabiac, and Gloucester. The floods damaged around 10,000 homes and severely impacted local infrastructure, including the main water pipeline in Wingham, leaving many residents in dire need of support.
Emergency services conducted close to 300 rescues during this crisis, and many families continue to feel the effects of the disaster. In response to this ongoing need, the organizers of the annual Wingham Music Festival have announced that this year’s event will focus on flood recovery and community resilience, aiming to bring neighbors together and help rebuild lives through the power of music.
A Festival of Hope and Healing
The festival, scheduled to take place over three days, will offer free tickets to residents from seven flood-affected postcodes. Funds raised from ticket sales and surplus donations will be directed to local recovery efforts, encouraging attendees to support both the festival and local businesses. Country music star James Johnston, who grew up in Wingham and whose family still resides in the area, is set to headline the event.
Johnston, who recently performed in Newcastle as part of the Strummingbird line-up, is touring Australia following the release of his new album, Where You’ll Find Me. “I knew I wanted my first show back in my hometown to be something truly special,” said Johnston. “After everything this past year has thrown at this community, there’s no better reason to come together and celebrate how far we’ve come.”
He expressed his pride in being from Wingham and noted the inspiring resilience demonstrated by the community in the aftermath of the floods. “I know there’s going to be a little bit of magic in the air that night,” Johnston added.
Performers and Community Spirit
Johnston will be joined on stage by an array of talented artists, including Backsliders, The Badloves, Bill Chambers, Round Mountain Girls, and Blues Arcadia. His rapid ascent in the country music scene has garnered him more than 134 million global streams, six No. 1 airplay singles, and a remarkable 118 consecutive weeks in the top 20 of the Country Hot 50 National Airplay Chart.
Johnston’s accolades include nominations for the QMA Awards, APRA Music Awards, and an ARIA Award, in addition to a nomination for Best New Talent from Rolling Stone Australia. He achieved significant recognition in 2023, winning two Golden Guitar Awards for New Talent of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year, and was voted Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year at the Countrytown Awards in 2025.
“This year’s festival feels more meaningful than ever,” said festival coordinator Donna Ballard. “Our community needs a celebration, and having James Johnston return home to headline makes it all the more special. We’ve been eagerly waiting to make this announcement, and it’s such a joy to welcome James back.”
As anticipation builds for the festival, the Wingham community is eager to come together, celebrate resilience, and support one another in the recovery process. With Johnston’s return, festival-goers can look forward to an unforgettable experience filled with music, community spirit, and hope.
