Australian country star James Johnston is one of the names to know as he makes his UK debut this week, with his entire first-ever UK headline tour selling out within minutes of tickets going on sale.
Johnston’s UK arrival has already been met with an extraordinary response. Originally announced for headline shows in Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester, demand saw venues upgraded and an additional Birmingham date added – which also sold out almost immediately. He will finish his headline tour as direct support to Randy Houser on the Sunday of Country Calling festival.
For an artist who has never previously performed in the UK, the reaction is a clear indication that Johnston has already built a passionate audience on this side of the world.
A three-time Golden Guitar winner and ARIA Award nominee, Johnston has established himself as one of the biggest names in Australia’s booming country music scene. Described by Rolling Stone Australia as “the face of a new wave in Australian country music,” he has amassed more than 163 million global streams, scored six #1 Australian country radio hits, and made history when his debut album Raised Like That spent 35 weeks at #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart.
His rise has been driven by an electrifying live show and a catalogue of songs that blend traditional country storytelling with a modern, arena-ready sound. Having already performed major shows across Australia, Sweden, South Africa and the US, Johnston is now entering a new international chapter.
His recent single, ‘SMOKE I’VE KNOWN‘, sees him join forces with US country star Chase Matthew on a Nashville-written collaboration, highlighting the increasingly strong creative links between Australia’s rapidly growing country scene and Music City.
Johnston’s first UK headline date took place last night in Glasgow, to be followed by Birmingham and Manchester, before he heads to Country Calling in Chelmsford on Sunday 16 August.
With the UK already responding in such a big way before he even played his first headline show here, James Johnston looks set to be one of Australian country’s next major international exports – and a name UK country fans will want to know now.
2026 UK TOUR DATES:
Tue 11 Aug – Glasgow – SWG3 TV Studio (SOLD OUT)
Wed 12 Aug – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds (SOLD OUT)
Thur 13 Aug – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds (SOLD OUT)
Fri 14 Aug – Manchester – Academy 2 (SOLD OUT)
Sun 16 Aug – Chelmsford – Country Calling UK
FULL DETAILS OF ALL UK TOUR DATES ARE ON THE COUNTRY LOWDOWN GIG GUIDE
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