This year, Queensland Music Festival (QMF) partnered with the Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) to support the Ekka through the Multicultural Music Stage and Country Music Showdown.

As part of one of Queensland’s most iconic events, the Multicultural Stage and the Country Music Showdown provide a platform for new and emerging artists to reach new audiences while enriching the Ekka experience through authentic cultural programming.

Down at the Stockmen’s Bar and Grill for the Country Music Showdown, the room filled early and stayed that way — boots on the floor, hats pulled low, and a crowd that leaned in for every note. From cowgirls to cowboys, the stage presented a welcoming set of artists from around the state and beyond, each one given a chance to show what they could do in all thing’s country.

Twelve finalists took their turn across the day, each performing a two-song set — opening with an original before closing out with a cover. The Showdown is never just about who took home the title. It opens doors — into recording sessions, professional development workshops, media exposure, and stages far bigger than the one they started on. Past winners have carried that same momentum all the way to national success, picking up Toyota Star Maker titles and major festival slots along the way.

As part of the collaboration with RNA, QMF presented Winton local Jess White. Jess has spent her life in Outback Queensland, where she first found her love for singing. She performed at the North Gregory Hotel in Winton back in May 2026 as part of QLD Music Trails – The Outback, impressing us with her raw talent and earning her spot as the QMF Wildcard entrant at the Showdown.

The Country Music Showdown winner was Jessica Holbrok, who gave a heartfelt performance built around an original song dedicated to her late father. As part of her prize, Jessica will be joining us on our 2027 Outback Trail, performing in Charleville for Saddle Up.

Alongside the Showdown, QMF presented artists to join the Ekka Multicultural Stage.

As part of the partnership, we curated a series of performances for the Ekka Multicultural Stage that celebrate our Reef Trail featuring three artists.

Josiah Samuel, a New Zealand-born singer and acoustic artist; Georgia Corowa, a South Sea Islander and Bundjalung woman; and Ryan Giles, an Australian singer-songwriter from Bundaberg. Together, they brought a vibrant mix of stories, heritage and creativity that reflected the communities that make Queensland unique. The Multicultural Stage offers an inclusive, welcoming space where music became a celebration of culture, identity and connection for audiences of all ages.

This partnership with the EKKA champions regional and culturally diverse artists, strengthens career pathways for emerging artists and celebrates the role music plays in Queensland’s cultural identity.

Find out more about partnering with QMF through the link below: