Hold onto your cowboy hats — the Gympie Music Muster just got a whole lot louder (and a whole lot more fun) for its youngest fans!
In a first for the Gympie Music Muster, The Mik Maks are saddling up for the 2025 festival, bringing their high-energy mix of country rock, cheeky humour, and family-friendly fun to the Gympie 4×4 Kids Country program.
This award-winning kids band — known for their chart-topping YouTube success (we’re talking 8.4 million subscribers and over 7.6 billion views!) — will take over the Optus Hill Stage on SOS (Stamp Out SIDS) Saturday, August 30, with a toe-tapping, belly-laughing, feel-good set at 11 am. And yes, there’ll be music, mayhem and a few surprise moments for good measure.
“We are country music tragics – born and bred on farming land in Victoria,” said founding member Joel McInnes. “Growing up, it was either work on the farm, play sport or play music. It’s pretty cool that we now get to play at festivals like the Muster. Where we can entertain families and enjoy the rest of the music too.”
The Mik Maks are keeping it close to home with their Muster debut — not just geographically, but emotionally. Their performance aligns with the festival’s 2025 charity partner, River’s Gift, Australia’s leading organisation for SIDS research and awareness.
“We’ve been involved with River’s Gift for around 10 years,” Joel said. “We’re close with Karl and Alex — we lived in the same neighbourhood when they lost their son, River. We all had babies at the time, and it really hit home.”
Their song Hope the Elephant — inspired by River’s Gift’s beloved blue mascot — has become a live-show staple. It delivers an uplifting message wrapped in melody and heart.
The Mik Maks at Gympie Music Muster 2025
The Mik Maks live line-up includes brothers Joel and Al, their “wise old drumming friend” Drums the Panda. Joel’s 17-year-old daughter Ava is also in the lineup, and she’s quickly becoming a fan favourite in her own right.
“Ava brings this amazing new energy to the show — and the girls in the audience love seeing her on stage,” Joel said. “We’ll be playing a bunch of our biggest songs. There’s going to be loads of family banter and upbeat country rock tunes.”
Before their main stage show, The Mik Maks will also appear as part of the Gympie 4×4 Kids Country area. This is a dedicated family zone with non-stop fun for little Muster-goers.
“The Mik Maks are world-class children’s entertainers, and we’re thrilled to welcome them for the first time,” said Gympie Music Muster Program Director Bec Anderson. “Their joy, their energy, and their heart perfectly sum up what the Muster is all about — something for every generation.”
And there’s no shortage of fun in Kids Country this year. Festival favourites Colin Buchanan, Magic Glen, Allioopsy, and Kerry Neill Songs and Stories will be there to keep the energy going all weekend. Add laser tag, face painting, yard games, a sandpit, arts and crafts, and a brand-new Parent’s Hub for feeding and nappy changes, and it’s official: 2025 is the year families will thrive at the Muster.
“The inclusion of acts like The Mik Maks really shows the spirit of the Muster,” said CEO Greg Cavanagh. “It’s about world-class music, real community connection, and making memories that span generations.”
Yee-haw to that.
Helpful links:
Things to do with kids on the Sunshine Coast
Free kids activities on the Sunshine Coast
Whats on for kids on the Sunshine Coast
