The sun’s sweltering rays quickly turned into torrential rain in the late afternoon – about the time Josh Pyke was on stage – and while organiser Sam Scott said it forced the crowd to run for cover, it wasn’t long before people were back out on the grass, enjoying the music.

“It went really well for a first year of the event,” Mr Scott said.

“Good numbers and most importantly, a great atmosphere.”

The line up included Australian artists Josh Pyke, Boy & Bear, Bluejuice, Loon Lake and Stonefield, who shared the stage at Rugby Park with local bands Blake Saban 3, The O Trio and Brother Fox.

Mr Scott said feedback from patrons indicated the bands were big crowd pleasers and he said thethe patrons themselves were “fantastic”.

It might be barely a day since the festival ended, but Mr Scott has already started working on next year’s festival and has been in talks with some big Australian acts.

A classic group like the Hoodoo Gurus is on his wish list for the next event.

“My plan is to build on the festival continually; I’m looking to have a bigger and better festival next year,” Mr Scott said.

This year’s performers were reportedly so happy with the event, they’ve said they’d like to re-visit the city next year.

“Every single band was raving about how good the arena was and how fantastic it was to come and play in a different town, and see the sights in Tamworth as well,” Mr Scott said.

“I think they all realise there’s a market for their music here.”

Summer Starter was born of a desire to provide more musical entertainment to those people who might live in Australia’s Country  Music Capital, but have different musical tastes.

Eventually Mr Scott hopes to grow the festival into a multi-stage event that will tempt an international artist to Tamworth.