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Wade Forster Brings Raw Outback Authenticity to the Two Step Inn

By Clarissa Darling on May 5, 2026

Wade Forster stepped onto the Pony Up stage at 1:30 p.m. on April 19, 2026, and the mid-afternoon crowd at San Gabriel Park instantly connected with something real. With his gritty, raw vocals and songs pulled straight from life on a Queensland cattle station and the professional rodeo circuit, Hitting the stage with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other, he made a statement right out of the gate.

Wade Forster performs at Day 2 of the Two Step Inn Festival, Georgetown Texas on April 18, 2026. (Photo Credit and copyright: Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Forster delivered loud, rugged country music that felt unfiltered and deeply personal—raw storytelling about hard work, loss, mental health, and the rarely simple joys of rural life. In a scene often polished for radio, he stands out for his no-frills honesty and the unmistakable energy of someone who has actually lived the stories he sings.

From Queensland Rodeo Cowboy to Rising International Voice

Born in 1998 in Winton, Queensland, Forster grew up working cattle stations in Australia’s remote outback and competing as a professional rodeo rider. Music was always part of the background, but he didn’t seriously pursue it until 2017, when he bought a $50 secondhand guitar while working refrigeration in Mount Isa. A rough online cover of Tyler Childers’ “Oneida” in 2021 sparked his first wave of attention. He self-released his debut album *The Beginning* in 2022, using rodeo earnings to fund it. His career accelerated in January 2024 when he won the prestigious Toyota Star Maker Quest at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. In November 2025 he released his follow-up album *Gooseneck Party*, which features standout tracks like “Fighting Tears,” “Rodeo Romeo,” “Last of a Dying Breed,” and “Off the Drugs.” The momentum has carried him to U.S. tours, collaborations, and a growing global fanbase drawn to his authentic voice.

Wade Forster and His Live Band

Wade Forster – Lead Vocals and Guitar

(Forster performs with a tight supporting live band on festival dates, including longtime drummer Matt “Madness.” I couldn’t find the names of the other members. The lineup has remained stable with no substantial changes reported as he continues his rapid rise.)

His Set on the Pony Up Stage

On the Pony Up stage—reserved for emerging artists—Forster and the band delivered a high-energy and powerful performance that mixed material from *Gooseneck Party* with earlier favorites. The set highlighted his natural stage presence and the real-life grit behind every lyric, earning strong applause from the growing Day 2 crowd under the Texas sun.

The Two Step Inn festival returned once again to scenic San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas—just a short drive north of Austin. The park’s live oaks and open spaces create a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere that suits everything from early sets on Pony Up to major acts on the Big River Stage, with local food vendors and plenty of room to settle in. After Day 1’s weather interruptions, Day 2 offered clearer skies and a smooth, full schedule of music.

Most Likely Setlist (full official setlist not published; based on his recent 2026 performances and typical festival sets):

Fighting Tears
Rodeo Romeo
Last of a Dying Breed
Denim
Gooseneck Party
Off the Drugs

Why Wade Forster’s Live Shows Feel So Genuine

Forster may have started out chasing buckles on the rodeo circuit, but his Pony Up set showed why his music is beginning to travel beyond Australia’s outback. With songs that come from real experience and a band that locks in tight behind him, his performances give you that rare feeling of hearing country music the way it was meant to be shared—straight from the source. If you appreciate artists who bring real life to the stage without any pretense, this may be your guy.