Troy Kemp to set the Night on Fire with McAlister Kemp Tamworth show

While they’re not currently releasing new music, McAlister Kemp remain one of the most popular acts in Australian country music, renowned for their blend of high-energy country rock with great vocals from both Troy Kemp and Drew McAlister, and songs that touch on a range of subjects that people can relate to, meaning they take those songs into their own lives.

So fans are abuzz with the news that the pair are to play a show on 22 January at the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival at one of the festival’s favourite venues, Blazes at West Tamworth Leagues Club (full details below). The show is called Night on Fire, after one of their songs, and it promises to be just that.

Kemp now lives in Nashville, and when we spoke recently he filled me in on the story of how he came to move there – during the pandemic, no less – and how it’s going for him. And the interview came during what might be the last quiet time in Kemp’s life, because his wife is due to give birth to their first child any day! Suffice to say he is beyond excited about the arrival of his daughter, who will be accompanying Dad to Tamworth in January.

It's been a while since I’ve had the chance to interview Kemp and he was, as ever, great to talk to. And I may or may not tried to cajole him into recording more duets with female singers, an artform I believe he excels at (for reasons I state). Of course, duets with McAlister are baked into the McAlister Kemp sound, and thankfully there will be plenty of those in January.

Tickets are on sale now for what promises to be an absolute festival must-see and a night on fire to remember!

McAlister Kemp | Night on Fire

Thursday, 22 January 2026, 8.30 p.m.

Blazes Showroom, West Tamworth Leagues Club

Tickets available from Wests: https://wtlc.com.au/event/mcalister-kemp/

Cost: $50 Adult, $30 Child

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