Groovin' the Moo

Groovin the Moo was an annual music festival that was held primarily in regional centres across Australia. The festival was held during autumn, typically in May of each year.

Groovin' the Moo
GenreAustralian, Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Hip-hop, Electronic, Metalcore
DatesLate April – Early May
Location(s)Australia
Years active2005–2019, 2022–
FoundersCattleyard Promotions
Websitewww.gtm.net.au

Groovin the Moo was established by Cattleyard Promotions and their first festival was held on Sunday 24 April 2005 in Gloucester, New South Wales. The festivals were held each year until 2019, but in 2020 and 2021 there were no festivals because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Groovin the Moo returned in 2022 and 2023, but insufficient ticket sales led to the cancellation of the 2024 festival.

History

The first incarnation of the festival occurred on 24 April 2005 at the Gloucester Showgrounds in New South Wales with crowds of over 1400, continuing to Narrandera (NSW Riverina) with crowds exceeding 1800. The following year the festival took place in Maitland, Albury and Darwin.

2007 was a break-through year for the festival, with headlining Australian act Silverchair and successful international act The Black Keys headlining, along with the largely popular Hilltop Hoods, John Butler Trio and You Am I. In 2008 Townsville was added to the tour's circuit, with Bendigo being added the following year.

2010 saw the inclusion of Bunbury and Canberra, with all shows selling out across the country.

In 2014, an Oakbank show was added to the tour and went on to sell out.

Australia's first pill testing trial was held at the 2018 festival in Canberra.[1]

In 2020, and 2021, festivals were not held because of restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Tickets purchased for 2020 were valid for the event in 2022.[2]

In February 2024, the 2024 Festival was cancelled, with organisers stating "insufficient ticket sales".[3]

Festivals venues

CityState/TerritoryVenueFestivals
AlburyNSWAlbury Racecourse2006–2007
BendigoVICPrince of Wales Showground2009–2019, 2022–
BunburyWAHay Park2010–2019, 2023–
CanberraACTUniversity of Canberra (2010–2018)
Exhibition Park (2019, 2022–)
2010–2019, 2022–
DarwinNTDarwin Amphitheatre2006
GloucesterNSWGloucester Showground2005
MaitlandNSWMaitland Showground2006–2019, 2022–2023
NarranderaNSWNarrandera Showground2005
NewcastleNSWNewcastle Foreshore2024–
OakbankSAOakbank Racecourse2014–2016
TownsvilleQLDLou Litster Park (2008–2009)
Murray Sporting Complex (2010–2019, 2022–)
2008–2019
WayvilleSAAdelaide Showground2017–2019, 2023–
Sunshine CoastQLDKawana Sports Western Precinct (2023)
Sunshine Coast Stadium (2024-)
2023–

Lineups year by year

As listed on the official website.[4] Bold indicates headline act. All acts are Australian unless stated otherwise.

2005

ArtistGloucester
Sunday, 24 April
Narrandera
Saturday, 22 October
Screaming JetsYesNo
Killing HeidiYesNo
EvermoreYesNo
The SpazzysYesNo
SenderYesNo
SupersonicYesNo
Retro RocketsYesNo
SolverYesNo
Dirty Pink JeansYesNo
The Common CodeYesNo
HaloYesNo
Bullshit RareYesNo
GrinspoonNoYes
SpiderbaitNoYes
The PicturesNoYes
Sarah McLeodNoYes
NeonNoYes
Star AssassinNoYes
Local Knowledge (NZ)NoYes

Notes

  • The Narrandera show was also known by some sources as "Groovin the Moo 2". While www.GTM.net.au still references the Narrandera show as taking place under the "ABOUT GTM" section, it is not referenced under the "PAST LINEUPS" section bringing into question the official status of this show today.[5][6]

2006

 Maitland
Saturday, 29 April
Darwin
Saturday, 26 August
Albury
Saturday, 25 November
Hilltop HoodsYesNoYes
ShihadYesNoNo
End of FashionYesNoNo
The HerdYesNoNo
FakerYesNoNo
Clare Bowditch and the Feeding SetYesNoNo
The Vasco EraYesNoNo
True LiveYesYesYes
Modular LoungeYesNoNo
Local Knowledge (NZ)YesNoNo
Bullshit RareYesYesYes
Gomez (UK)NoYesNo
Youth GroupNoYesYes
Augie MarchNoYesNo
The Mess HallNoYesNo
The DronesNoYesNo
Ash GrunwaldNoYesNo
John Butler TrioNoNoYes
You Am INoNoYes
The FumesNoNoYes
The ExplodersNoNoYes
The AudreysNoNoYes
Trail KennedyNoNoYes
Star AssassinNoNoYes

Notes

  • "Gomez", from the United Kingdom, is credited as the first international act to appear at Groovin The Moo on www.GTM.net.au. However "Local Knowledge", from New Zealand, played twice before "Gomez" first appearance, once in 2005 & once in 2006.

2007

 Maitland [A]Albury [B]
SilverchairYesNo
The Black Keys (US)YesNo
You Am IYesNo
The PresetsYesNo
Sneaky Sound SystemYesYes
Midnight JuggernautsYesYes
AirborneYesYes
The Morning After GirlsYesNo
Mia DysonYesYes
MacromanticsYesNo
Kid ConfuciusYesYes
The CamelsYesNo
SnowmanYesNo
2 Dogs DJsYesNo
Trial KennedyYesNo
Astronomy ClassYesYes
Tongue and DiazYesNo
Radical SonYesNo
HermitudeYesYes
Good BuddhaYesNo
Mister SavonaYesNo
The PorkersYesNo
GrinspoonNoYes
Xavier RuddNoYes
Blue King BrownNoYes
Clare Bowditch and The Feeding SetNoYes
The BamboosNoYes
MammalNoYes
Horsell CommonNoYes
Third EstateNoYes
UrthboyNoYes
The TongueNoYes
Mista SavonaNoYes
Unkle HoNoYes
Combat WombatNoYes
DiafrixNoYes

Notes

2008

 Maitland [A]Townsville [B]
The PresetsYesYes
Sneaky Sound SystemYesYes
The HerdYesYes
SpiderbaitYesYes
GyroscopeYesYes
KarnivoolYesYes
Custom KingsYesYes
The GalvatronsYesNo
Little RedYesNo
KatalystYesYes
The PotbelleezYesYes
Azzido Da Bass (GER)YesYes
Pitch Black (NZ)YesNo
Bass KlephYesYes
Dirty LaundryYesNo
Mark DynamixYesNo
Hercules in NYYesNo
Amber SavageYesYes
That 1 Guy (USA)NoYes
Resin Dogs Sound SystemNoYes
The Last KinectionYesNo
Beats WorkingYesNo
The Middle EastNoYes
LoverNoYes

Notes

2009


  • 2 May 2009 – Lou Litster Park, Townsville.
  • 9 May 2009 – Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • 16 May 2009 – Prince of Wales Showground's, Bendigo.

2010


  • Saturday 1 May, Bendigo, Prince of Wales Showground.
  • Sunday 2 May, Townsville, Murray Sporting Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds.
  • Saturday 8 May, Maitland, Maitland Showground.
  • Sunday 9 May, Canberra, The Meadows, University of Canberra.
  • Saturday 15 May, Bunbury, Hay Park.

2011


  • Sat 30 April, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo.
  • Sun 1 May, Townsville Cricket Grounds, Townsville.
  • Sat 7 May, Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • Sun 8 May, The Meadows, University of Canberra.
  • Sat 14 May, Hay Park, Bunbury.

2012

Local band Juwana opened the moo tent after winning competition

    • Ball Park Music replaced Chiddy Bang, who withdrew from the lineup so they could focus on promoting their (at the time) upcoming album.


  • Sat 5 May, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo.
  • Sun 6 May, Murray Sporting Complex, Townsville.
  • Sat 12 May, Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • Sun 13 May, The Meadows, Canberra.
  • Sat 19 May, Hay Park, Bunbury.

2013


  • Sat 27 Apr, Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • Sun 28 Apr, University of Canberra, Canberra.
  • Sat 4 May, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo.
  • Sun 5 May, Murray Sporting Complex, Townsville.
  • Sat 11 May, Hay Park, Bunbury.

2014


  • Friday, 25 April, Oakbank Racecourse, Oakbank.
  • Saturday, 26 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • Sunday, 27 April, University of Canberra.
  • Saturday, 3 May, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo.
  • Sunday, 4 May, Murray Sporting Complex, Townsville.
  • Saturday, 10 May, Hay Park, Bunbury.

2015


  • Saturday 25 April, Oakbank Racecourse, Oakbank.
  • Sunday 26 April, Hay Park, Bunbury.
  • Saturday 2 May, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo.
  • Sunday 3 May, University of Canberra, Canberra.
  • Saturday 9 May, Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • Sunday 10 May, Murray Sports Complex, Townsville.

2016


  • Saturday, 23 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland.
  • Sunday, 24 April, University of Canberra, Canberra.
  • Monday, 25 April, Oakbank Racecourse, Oakbank.
  • Saturday, 30 April, Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo.
  • Sunday, 1 May, Townsville Cricket Grounds, Townsville.
  • Saturday, 7 May, Hay Park, Bunbury.

2017


  • Friday 28 April, Adelaide Showground, Wayville (SA).
  • Saturday 29 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland (NSW).
  • Sunday 30 April, Murray Sports Complex, Townsville (QLD).
  • Saturday 6 May, Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC).
  • Sunday 7 May, University of Canberra, Bruce (ACT).
  • Saturday 13 May, Hay Park, Bunbury (WA).

2018


  • Friday 27 April, Adelaide Showground, Wayville (SA)
  • Saturday 28 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland (NSW)
  • Sunday 29 April, University of Canberra, Bruce (ACT)
  • Saturday 5 May, Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC)
  • Sunday 6 May, Murray Sports Complex, Townsville (QLD)
  • Saturday 12 May, Hay Park, Bunbury (WA)

2019


  • Friday 26 April, Adelaide Showground, Wayville (SA)
  • Saturday 27 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland (NSW)
  • Sunday 28 April, Exhibition Park, Canberra (ACT)
  • Saturday 4 May, Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC)
  • Sunday 5 May, Murray Sports Complex, Townsville (QLD)
  • Saturday 11 May, Hay Park, Bunbury (WA)

2020

The 2020 festival was cancelled due to a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people as well as international borders being closed to non-citizens in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia[8]


  • Friday 24 April, Adelaide Showground, Wayville (SA)
  • Saturday 25 April, Exhibition Park, Canberra (ACT)
  • Sunday 26 April, Hay Park, Bunbury (WA)
  • Saturday 2 May, Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC)
  • Sunday 3 May, Murray Sports Complex, Townsville (QLD)
  • Saturday 9 May, Maitland Showground, Maitland (NSW)

2022

The festival returned in 2022 after the 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled, however the Townsville, Bunbury, and Wayville legs did not go ahead due to uncertainty regarding crowd capacity and national/international travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia


  • Saturday 23 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland (NSW)
  • Sunday 24 April, Exhibition Park, Canberra (ACT)
  • Saturday 30 April, Bendigo's Prince Of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC)

2023

The 2023 festival returned to its full 6 day touring schedule, however the Townsville leg was dropped due to "logistical and financial difficulties" related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and a Sunshine Coast leg was added as a replacement


  • Friday 21 April, Adelaide Showground, Wayville (SA)
  • Saturday 22 April, Maitland Showground, Maitland (NSW)
  • Sunday 23 April, Exhibition Park, Canberra (ACT)
  • Saturday 29 April, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC)
  • Sunday 30 April, Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Sunshine Coast (QLD)
  • Saturday 6 May, Hay Park, Bunbury (WA)

2024

The 2024 festival was cancelled, with the organisers citing "insufficient ticket sales".[3]

Prior to cancellation, it had been announced that the Maitland leg of the 2024 festival was to be moved to Newcastle due to "consistent patron feedback and consultation regarding their transport and accommodation needs”, and the Sunshine Coast leg was moved to a bigger venue due to the sell-out of its 2023 debut.


  • Thursday 25 April, Adelaide Showground, Wayville (SA)
  • Friday 26 April, Exhibition Park, Canberra (ACT)
  • Saturday 27 April, Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo (VIC)
  • Saturday 4 May, Foreshore Park, Newcastle (NSW)
  • Sunday 5 May, Stadium Precinct, Sunshine Coast (QLD)
  • Saturday 11 May, Hay Park, Bunbury (WA)

THE PLOT

Groovin' the Moo
GenreElectronic, Dance, Indie Rock
DatesNovember / December
Location(s)Australia
Years active2013; 2015–2017
FoundersCattleyard Promotions
Websitewww.ThePlot.co

Established in 2013 by parent company Cattleyard Promotions, THE PLOT is a sister music festival to Groovin the Moo which focuses more on emerging and breaking Australian musicians. Launched on 16 September and to date all of events have been held in metropolitan cities, unlike "Groovin the Moo" which is held in various regional centres across Australia.

2013

Bold indicates headline act.

 Sydney [A]Melbourne [B]
Alison Wonderland (DJ Set)YesYes
Miami HorrorYesYes
DJ Snake (FRE)YesYes
Naysayer & Gilsun (AV Set)YesYes
Touch SensitiveYesYes
Wave RacerYesYes
RemiYesYes
Tyler ToucheYesYes
Gold FieldsYesYes
Yolanda Be CoolYesYes
Citizen KayYesYes
Hayden JamesYesYes
Purple SneakersYesYes
Elizabeth RoseYesYes
Willow BeatsYesYes
Indian SummerYesYes
BeniYesYes
Wordlife (Live)YesYes
SoftwarYesYes
Club Mod DJsYesYes

Notes

The full lineup was announced on 9 October.[9]

2014

The Plot was not held in 2014.[10]

2015

Bold indicates headline act.

 Sydney [A]
Art Vs ScienceYes
SAFIAYes
Tkay MaidzaYes
UrthboyYes
The GriswoldsYes
Friend Within (UK)Yes
TukaYes
Matoma (Nor)Yes
Spit SyndicateYes
BasenjiYes
AstaYes
NgaiireYes
Crooked ColoursYes
Young FrancoYes
PacesYes
Uv BoiYes
E^stYes
Boo SeekaYes
The Meeting TreeYes
Luke MillionYes
L-Fresh The LionYes
B WiseYes
Shantan Wantan IchibanYes
Future Love HungoverYes
LuenYes
JawzYes
Andy GarveyYes
Stoney Roads DJsYes
Sampa The GreatYes

Notes

The full lineup was announced on 30 September.[11]

2016

The full lineup was announced on 24 August.[12]

A.B. Original, Alex Lahey, Allday, Amy Shark, Confidence Man, GL, Hellions, Soul Benefits, Kinder, Ebony Boadu, Sarah Connor, Amber Dubs, The Belligerents, The Bennies, Bootleg Rascal, Buoy, Cult Shotta, Dorsal Fins, Dylan Joel, E^ST, Elizabeth Rose, FROYO, Gold Fields, Hyjak, Indian Summer, Ivan Ooze (rapper), Jannath Beth + DJ Lili Joy, Japanese Wallpaper, Kazi A, Lanks, Luca Brasi, Mallrat, MMAD, Montaigne, Mumbles, Nardine, Nicole Millar, Ocean Alley, Onion Man, Paces, Pierce Brothers, Richard Bell, Running Touch, Tash Sultana, Thelma Plum, Tired Lion, Vera Blue, WSU Poets, Zeadala + Judenn, Ziggy Alberts.

2017

The full lineup was announced on 23 August.[12]

Airling, Alex The Astronaut, Alice Ivy, Bec Sandridge, Cable Ties, Clowns, Confidence Man, Dean Lewis, Dear Seattle, Dobby, Haiku Hands, Hatchie, Hollow Coves, Jess Locke, Kuren, Kyle Lionhart, Lastlings, Maddy Jane, Mallrat, Manu Crook$, Miss Blanks, Ninajirachi, Northeast Party House, Nyxen, Odette, Oh Boy, Okenyo, Ruby Fields, Saatsuma, Skeggs, Sleepmakeswaves, Stella Donnelly, The Teskey Brothers, Tigertown, Waax, YoungstaCPT (RSA).

Awards and nominations

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
National Live Music Awards of 2016[13]Groovin the MooACT Live Event of the YearWon
National Live Music Awards of 2019[14][15]Groovin the MooBest Live Music Festival or EventNominated
ACT Live Event of the YearWon

References

8. http://www.gtm.net.au/gtms-south-australian-show-moves-venues/