Tag: Jake Whittaker

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Whittaker Announces Big Shows at Home and Abroad

He might not have won last year’s Australian Idol title, but Jake Whittaker has been doing great things since leaving the reality show. Fresh from the release of his track “Trouble With You” last month, he’s booked his first ticketed show in at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and a couple of dates across the ditch.

The Aotearoa/New Zealand shows are especially significant for the Meeanjin/Brisbane-based country singer, who has his family roots in Taranaki. The connection he still feels to this area inspired his 2024 single “Coming Home.”

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Jake said. “I go back all the time, and I’ve always loved New Zealand. To finally play my own shows there means a lot.”

Wherever you’re seeing Jake, you can expect a high-energy show. Tickets for the ticketed gigs are available now through the links:

17 January 2026 – Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
30 January 2026 – The Tuning Fork, Auckland
31 January 2026 – Summer Nights @ King Edward Park, Stratford (FREE)

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Whittaker Shows There’s Life After Idol With “In My Blood”

Jake Whittaker won the hearts of the nation on the last series of Australian Idol. However, I can’t help but think he might have gone even further than the top six if he were playing his originals. His latest single “In My Blood” is better than any cover he delivered on that program. Take a listen!

Jake cowrote this song with James Johnston, who also featured on Australian Idol many, many moons ago (the true fans never forget!)

“The phrase popped into my head earlier that day, and I knew I wanted to use it,” Jake said. “This one’s about me—but it’s for everyone. We’ve all got something that runs in our blood. For me, it’s country music and country life. For someone else, it might be horses, cars, go-karting … whatever it is, that’s where we connect.”

Jake says this song, the first he’s released since appearing on Idol, is the start of a new chapter for him. He’ll celebrate it with a bunch of shows in the coming months leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the New Year. Here are all the places you can see him playing his choice originals and perhaps a few of those covers you know and love.

13 September 2025 – Flame Festival @ Jimboomba Park, Gimboomba/Jimboomba
4 October 2025 – Urban Country Music Festival @ Caboolture Showgrounds, Kabi Kabi Country/Caboolture
29 November 2025 – Preston Country Clash @ Preston Community Centre, Lutruwita/Preston
17 January 2026 – moonshiners, Kamileroi Country/Tamworth

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Whittaker Celebrates Kiwi Heritage With “Coming Home”

Local country artists are absolutely killing it at the moment. It was only yesterday I was raving about Braeden Faint, and now I want to put another name on your radar: Jake Whittaker. Jake hails from Southern Queensland, but his latest track “Coming Home” is about his father’s hometown, Eltham, Aotearoa/New Zealand.

“I was having a chat with my co-writer, producer and best friend Jared Adlam about how I have this intrinsic feeling that every time I head back to Eltham, that I’m coming home,” Jake explained. “I didn’t grow up there, but I know all the stories of him growing up, all his friends are still there, my Kiwi family are still there and it feels like home. I feel like everybody has that town or place that when they spend time there, it feels like second nature going there whether it’s your favourite camping spot, grandparents’ place, or somewhere you used to holiday. It’s that place when you head there, it’s like coming home.”

Jake will play for his own hometown when he takes to the stage at the Monte Music Muster in Mungaree/Slacks Creek on November 23.

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Whittaker Drops Heartbreak Anthem, “The Next You’re Gone”

Local country singer-songwriter Jake Whittaker has really impressed me with his soulful new single, “The Next You’re Gone.” A classic tale of heartbreak, Jake’s powerful vocals take this track to the next level. Jake penned the song with his collaborator and producer Jared Adlam.

“Jared and I wrote this together, with Jared coming up with the title The Next You’re Gone,” Jake said. “It’s a break-up song that tells someone else’s story because neither of us have had a break-up since before we were legal drinking age. It’s about that feeling when someone leaves you, but you still hold onto hope that they’ll come back, even as you drown your sorrows at the bar.”

Jake has a couple of shows coming up. You can catch him at the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, which kicks off today, and the Gympie Music Muster from August 21.

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity