The countdown is on to the 2025 Gympie Music Muster – and for those 4-day ticket holders getting in early, the festival experience starts well before the main event kicks off.
Running from Saturday, August 23 to Wednesday, August 27, Pre-Muster entertainment offers five days of live music and community connection for early arrivals and is only included with a four-day festival pass.
That means your festival ticket doesn’t just get you in from Thursday – it gets you through the gate and into the campgrounds from Saturday 23 August, with live music starting daily from 3pm at the Bundaberg Rum Crowbar.
A dedicated Muster shuttle bus will run daily on a loop, connecting campers with the entertainment precinct and amenities.
This year’s Pre-Muster line-up showcases a strong mix of established artists and rising talent including Taylor Moss, Josh Setterfield, Austin Mackay, Sue Ray, Dean Perrett, Cassie Leopold, Sarah Catania, Brewn, Grace Alexandra (a 2025 Talent Search finalist), Briana Dinsdale, Taurean Thompson, Katie Brooke, Billy Gudgeon and Clancy Pye.
Formerly of Darlinghurst, Cassie Leopold, heads to Muster this year as a solo artist.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Muster — this time as a solo artist,” she said.
“It’s such a full-circle moment for me. There’s nothing quite like the Muster crowd: the energy, the heart, the way everyone leans into the music and the fun — it’s iconic.
“Getting the chance to kick things off at the Pre-Muster is a real honour. It’s the perfect way to set the tone — raw, real, and full of promise. I’ve got new songs to share, stories to tell, and a whole new chapter I can’t wait to bring to life on that stage.
“The Muster has always held a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to see familiar faces, meet new ones, and be part of something that feels like home — only louder.”
Austin Mackay also cannot wait to get back to celebrate all that the Muster stands for.
“I had the chance to experience the Muster in 2024, and it was bloody incredible,” Austin Mackay said.
“The sense of community, the music, the country spirit, it’s really like nothing else. I’m really looking forward to playing the Pre-Muster this year and being part of that build-up energy. It’s such a special event on the Aussie country music calendar, and I can’t wait to get back amongst it!”
Several performers will also appear on the main stages later in the week, giving early birds a first taste of what’s to come.
These include 2025 Australian Idol standouts Keely Ellen and Jake Whittaker, alongside Golden Guitar winner Dean Perrett, festival favourites Linc Phelps, Ruby Jane, Pete Cullen & The Hurt, Taylor Moss, Josh Setterfield, Route 33 and Brooke Schubert.
With so much talent on offer before the official festival even begins, the Pre-Muster is your chance to soak up more of the music, mateship and magic that make the Gympie Music Muster Australia’s most beloved camping festival.
Head to the Gympie Music Muster website to explore the full Pre-Muster and festival programs.
