Grand Baxter (Vic) / Ryan Martin John (SA support)

About Grand Baxter (Vic) / Ryan Martin John (SA support)

Grand Baxter

Grand Baxter are an alt-folk trio from the forests of eastern Melbourne, blending earnest songwriting with dense textures of guitar and strings, wrapped in a humble folk charm. Drawing inspiration from Jason Isbell, John Moreland and Gillian Welch, their sound sits at the crossroads of rock, folk and country.

Formed by long-time collaborators Benjamin Langdon (vocals/songwriting), Dylan Knur (violin/mandolin) and Jack Wieseler (electric guitar), the trio’s chemistry gives Grand Baxter a sound far greater than the sum of its parts. Their debut EP Gotta Get on the Road showcased Langdon’s love of country music and led to extensive solo touring around Australia.

Following the 2021 single Family of Liars and a steady run of releases through 2022–24, Grand Baxter return in 2025 with Silverline: a seven-song collection searching for hope and love in an unpredictable world, touching on family, loneliness and connection.

Ryan Martin John

Ryan Martin John is a country folk singer-songwriter with a penchant for dreamy harmonies and intimate guitar playing. Based on Kaurna Country, his songs walk the line between inward self reflection and outward curiosity of the world, nestled in the familiar tones of 70s era Laurel Canyon songwriters. Live performances feel like a hang with a friend you feel you’ve known forever, with Ryan often warmly playing down the seriousness of his songs whilst asking “does anyone else feel this way?”. Usually playing alongside his close friend and acclaimed guitarist, Tom Kneebone, the two weave their voices and guitars around each other resulting in an inviting folk & country sound that’s as detailed as it is spacious. 

Ryan’s 2023 debut album Goodness, Gracious, Graceless earned wide acclaim, including multiple award nominations and a SCALA Best Performance win. Influenced by Gram Parsons, Neil Young and Paul Kelly, it embraced a full-band country-folk sound. His recent singles Ways To Fall and Starline signal a shift toward a warmer, more intimate style, receiving high rotation on ABC Country. Ryan is currently completing his next self-recorded album, due in 2026.