Cooktown’s Ella Hartwig sings her heart out at the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Photo: Jake Davey Studios.
At 20 years old, Cooktown singer-songwriter Ella Hartwig took a chance when she travelled to the “country music capital of Australia” with her guitar and a tent to busk on the street.
This year, on her third return to the Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF), she took the stage as an independent artist at the event for the first time, and played a supporting slot in the Credence Clearwater Revival tribute show.
Currently chasing her dream in Brisbane, Ms Hartwig said performing at the festival this year made her feel more connected to listeners than ever before.
“Even though it’s a huge festival and it’s pretty overwhelming coming out here, I feel seen as an artist,” she said.
“I used to think, as an artist, what’s my brand? When I moved to Brisbane, I was like, I don’t have a stage name or anything, and I was surrounded by pop artists that had all these cool stage names.
“As soon as I started to realise I didn’t need all of that, and really leaned into who I am, where I’m from, and my story, I feel like people see me, and it feels really amazing.”
The 22-year-old was chosen to perform at the TCMF last year as part of the Country Music Association of Australia’s mentorship program, Academy of Country Music, during which she shared the stage with roughly 30 other aspiring musicians.
This time around, she was proud to truly connect with fans who had been to Cooktown and resonated with her message.
“I’ve really been leaning into the thing that is unique about me, and trying to grow my following online, and it’s been pretty effective,” she said.
“Last year, I did perform as part of the Academy Showcase, which was amazing, but then this year, I played at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and people came to see me.
“This one fan, my album was his number one listened to on Spotify, and he came and bought a shirt, and then he came to my other shows wearing it, and it’s just so cool to see how it’s making an impact on people.”
Ms Hartwig said she felt like she was building a community with her supporters, which included one of her first in Tamworth.
When busking in front of a shop at her first Tamworth appearance in 2024, the store manager sparked up a conversation that ended with her offering accommodation, which has become the singer’s haven for the past three years.
“I was explaining that I was camping, and she was like, ‘We’ve got a room, come stay at our house’, and I’ve been staying there since — it’s an ongoing relationship,” she said.
“She was curious, I had a chat; it’s not like I asked, but I’m so grateful it worked out this way, because so many people do struggle with accommodation, and this is not something I take for granted.
“It’s a struggle for artists to come out here; it’s expensive and they were so kind; I’m trying to figure out ways I can pay them back for their kindness.”
Ms Hartwig is now preparing to take the stage at Australia’s largest country music festival, CMC Rocks, on 20-22 March.
