Groovin' the Moo

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.

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.

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

Festivals venues

Lineups year by year

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

2005

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.

2006

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

Notes

• A Maitland Showground 12 May.
• B Albury Racecourse 24 November.

2008

Notes

• A Maitland Showground 26 April.
• B Lou Lister Park 3 May.

2009

• The Living End

• Hilltop Hoods

• The Grates

• De La Soul (USA)

• Architecture in Helsinki

• Little Birdy

• Muscles (DJ Set)

• Infusion

• Okkervil River (USA)

• Ratatat (USA)

• The Drones

• Van She

• Tame Impala

• Miami Horror (Live)

• The Twelves (Brazil)

• Horrorshow

• Christer (CAN)

• Hercules in NY

• Art vs. Science

• My Own Enemy - Pushover Winner

• 2 May 2009 – Lou Litster Park, Townsville.

• 9 May 2009 – Maitland Showground, Maitland.

• 16 May 2009 – Prince of Wales Showground's, Bendigo.

2010

• Vampire Weekend (USA)

• Silverchair

• Empire of the Sun

• Grinspoon

• Tegan and Sara (CAN)

• Spoon (USA)

• British India

• Lisa Mitchell

• Miami Horror

• Kisschasy

• Bag Raiders

• Kid Koala presents The Slew Live (CAN)

• Muph and Plutonic

• Funkoars

• Space Invadas Illy

• Ajax

• Jonathan Boulet

• Yacht Club DJs

• Killaqueens

• The Only

• 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

• 360 (Bunbury only)

• AC Slater (USA)

• Art vs. Science

• Architecture in Helsinki

• The Aston Shuffle

• Birds of Tokyo

• Bliss n Eso

• Boy & Bear (Bunbury only)

• Cut Copy

• Darwin Deez (USA)

• Datarock (NOR)

• Drapht

• The Drums (USA)

• The Go! Team (UK)

• Gotye

• Gyroscope

• The Holidays

• Horrorshow

• House of Pain (USA)

• The Jezabels

• Nina Las Vegas Triple J

• Sampology AV/DJ Set

• Unkle-Live (UK)

• Washington

• The Wombats (UK)

  • The Wombats and The Holidays pulled out of the Bunbury show due to overseas commitments. They were replaced by Boy & Bear along with 360 and Pez.

• 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

• 360

• Adrian Lux (SWE)

• Andrew WK (USA) One Man Party Tour

• Ball Park Music

• Beni

• Big Scary

• Bluejuice

• Chiddy Bang (USA)

• City and Colour (CAN)

• Digitalism (GER)

• The Getaway Plan

• Gold Fields

• Hermitude

• Hilltop Hoods

• Kaiser Chiefs (UK)

• Kimbra

• The Maccabees (UK)

• Matt Corby

• Muscles

• Mutemath (USA)

• Naysayer & Gilsun

• Parkway Drive

• Public Enemy (USA)

• Purple Sneakers DJs

• San Cisco

• Wavves (USA) 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

• Allday (Bunbury only)

• Alison Wonderland

• Alpine

• The Amity Affliction

• The Bronx (USA)

• DZ Deathrays (DJ Set)

• Example (UK)

• Flume

• Frightened Rabbit (UK)

• Hungry Kids of Hungary

• The Kooks (UK)

• Last Dinosaurs

• Matt & Kim (USA)

• Midnight Juggernauts

• Pez

• Regurgitator

• Seth Sentry

• ShockOne

• Tame Impala

• Tegan and Sara (CAN)

• The Temper Trap

• They Might Be Giants (USA)

• Tuka With Ellesquire

• Urthboy

• DJ Woody's Big Phat 90's Mixtape (UK)

• Yacht (USA)

• Yolanda Be Cool

  • During Pez's performance at the Bunbury show, 360 came on stage and performed "The Festival Song"
  • Urthboy pulled out of the Bunbury show due to illness and was replaced with Allday

• 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

• Action Bronson (USA)

• Andy Bull

• Allday

• Architecture in Helsinki

• Cults (USA)

• Disclosure (UK)

• Dizzee Rascal (UK)

• Holy F**K (CAN)

• Illy

• The Jezabels

• The Jungle Giants

• Karnivool

• Kingswood

• The Kite String Tangle

• Loon Lake

• The Naked and Famous (NZ)

• Parkway Drive

• Peking Duk

• The Presets

• Robert Delong (USA)

• Thundamentals

• Vance Joy

• Violent Soho

• Wave Racer

• What So Not

  • Action Bronson cancelled his appearance at GTM 2014 due to ""unforeseen circumstances regarding recording commitments" and was replaced by Allday

• 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

• ASAP Ferg (USA)

• Ball Park Music

• Broods (NZ)

• Carmada

• Charli XCX (UK)

• The Delta Riggs

• DMA's

• Flight Facilities

• Hermitude

• Hilltop Hoods

• Hot Dub Time Machine

• Meg Mac

• Northlane

• One Day

• Peace (UK)

• Peaches (CAN)

• The Preatures

• RL Grime (USA)

• San Cisco

• Saskwatch

• Sticky Fingers

• Tkay Maidza

• Wolfmother

• You Me at Six (UK)

• 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

• Alison Wonderland

• Boo Seeka

• Boy & Bear

• British India

• Client Liaison

• Danny Brown (USA)

• Drapht

• DZ Deathrays

• Emma Louise

• Golden Features

• Harts

• In Hearts Wake

• Illy

• Jarryd James

• MS MR (USA)

• Mutemath (USA)

• Ngaiire

• Odesza (USA)

• Of Monsters and Men (ISL) (Bunbury only)

• Ratatat (USA)

• REMI

• The Rubens

• Safia

• Twenty One Pilots (USA)

• Vallis Alps

• Vic Mensa (USA)

• What So Not

  • Mutemath and Vic Mensa cancelled their appearances at GTM 2016 for unspecified reasons and were replaced by Jarryd James and What So Not
  • Of Monsters and Men were added to the lineup, but only for the Bunbury show

• 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

• Against Me! (USA)

• Allday

• Amy Shark

• Architects (UK)

• The Darkness (UK)

• Dillon Francis (USA)

• DRAM (USA)

• George Maple

• Hayden James

• The Jungle Giants

• K.Flay (USA)

• L-FRESH the Lion

• Loyle Carner (UK)

• Methyl Ethel

• Milky Chance (GER)

• Montaigne

• Northeast Party House

• Pnau

• Slumberjack

• The Smith Street Band

• Snakehips (UK)

• Tash Sultana

• Thundamentals

• Violent Soho

• The Wombats (UK)

  • DRAM was originally announced to play GTM 2017, however he cancelled his appearance before the full lineup was announced for unknown reasons.
  • Tash Sultana cancelled her sets at the Maitland and Bendigo shows due to illness. She was replaced by Amy Shark in Bendigo.
  • Montaigne cancelled her set the Bendigo show due to illness. It is unknown who her replacement was.

• 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

• Alex Lahey

• Aminé (USA)

• The Amity Affliction

• Baker Boy

• Ball Park Music

• Claptone (GER)

• Confidence Man

• Cosmo's Midnight

• Dean Lewis

• Duckwrth (USA) (Bunbury only)

• Duke Dumont (UK)

• Flight Facilities

• Grinspoon

• Lady Leshurr (UK)

• Mallrat

• N.W.A.'s DJ Yella ft. Playboy T (USA)

• Ocean Alley

• Paul Kelly

• Portugal. The Man (USA)

• Public Service Broadcasting (UK)

• Royal Blood (UK)

• Sampa the Great

• Skegss

• SuperDuperKyle (USA)

• Tkay Maidza

• Vera Blue

• Winston Surfshirt

  • SuperDuperKyle cancelled his appearance at GTM 2018 due to changes in his album scheduling and was replaced by DJ Yella ft. Playboy T
  • Duckwrth was added to the lineup, but only for the Bunbury show

• 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

• A$AP Twelvyy (USA)

• Angie McMahon

• Aurora (NOR)

• Billie Eilish (USA)

• Carmouflage Rose

• Coolio (USA)

• Crooked Colours

• DMA's

• Duckwrth (USA)

• Fisher

• Flosstradamus (USA)

• G Flip

• Haiku Hands

• Hermitude

• Hilltop Hoods

• Holy Holy

• Jack River

• Jimothy (UK)

• Just A Gent

• MØ (DNK)

• Nick Murphy

• Nicole Millar

• Regurgitator

• Rejjie Snow (IRL)

• ShockOne (Bunbury only)

• Sofi Tukker (USA)

• Spinderella (USA)

• Thelma Plum

• Tokimonsta (USA)

• Trophy Eyes

• Wafia

  • Tokimonsta cancelled her appearance at GTM 2019 for unspecified reasons and was replaced by Wafia and Jimothy.
  • Fisher did not appear in Bunbury and was replaced with ShockOne.

• 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

• AJ Tracey (UK)

• Bhad Bhabie (USA)

• Blanco Brown (USA)

• The Cat Empire

• Channel Tres (USA)

• Clairo (USA)

• Darude (FIN)

• Dope Lemon

• E^ST

• Gang of Youths

• Hayden James

• Kelis (USA)

• Kira Puru

• Mallrat

• Manu Crooks

• Maxo Kream (USA)

• Ruby Fields

• San Cisco

• Slowly Slowly

• Sugarhill Gang (USA)

• Supergrass (UK)

• Tones and I

• The Veronicas

• Waax

• YBN Cordae (USA)

• 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

• Alice Ivy

• Broods (NZ)

• CHAII (NZ)

• Grentperez

• Hilltop Hoods

• Hockey Dad

• Hope D

• HP Boyz

• Jesswar

• JK-47

• Lime Cordiale

• Mashd N Kutcher

• Masked Wolf

• Middle Kids

• Milky Chance (GER)

• Montaigne

• Peking Duk

• Polaris

• RedHook

• Riton (UK)

• Shouse

• Snakehips (UK)

• Spiderbait

• Sycco

• Thomas Headon (UK)

• Wolf Alice (UK)

  • Milky Chance cancelled their appearance at GTM 2022 due to travel issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and were replaced by Lime Cordiale
  • HP Boyz cancelled their appearance at GTM 2022 for unspecified reasons and were replaced by grentperez
  • Illy joined Mashd N Kutcher onstage during the Bendigo leg

• 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

• Alt-J (UK)

• Amy Shark

• Ball Park Music

• Barkaa

• bbno$ (CAN)

• The Chats

• Choomba

• Confidence Man

• Denzel Curry (USA)

• DICE (Bunbury only)

• Eliza Rose (UK)

• Fatboy Slim (UK)

• Genesis Owusu

• Hilltop Hoods (Bunbury only)

• Laurel (UK)

• Luude

• Nothing But Thieves (UK)

• Ocean Alley

• Omar Apollo (USA)

• Royel Otis

• Skegss

• Skepta (UK)

• Slayyyter (USA)

• Slowly Slowly

• Sophie May (UK)

• Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

• Teenage Dads

• Teenage Joans

  • Omar Apollo and Skepta cancelled their appearances at GTM 2023 for unspecified reasons and were replaced by Nothing But Thieves and Genesis Owusu
  • bbno$ and Genesis Owusu cancelled their appearances at the Bunbury show for unknown reasons and were replaced by Hilltop Hoods and Dice

• 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".

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.

• Alison Wonderland

• Armani White (USA)

• The Beaches (CAN)

• Claire Rosinkranz (USA)

• DMA's

• The Grogans

• GZA (Wu-Tang) & The Phunky Nomads (USA)

• Hot Dub Time Machine

• Jacotené

• Jessie Reyez (CAN)

• Jet

• The Jungle Giants

• Kenya Grace (UK)

• King Stingray

• The Kooks (UK)

• Mallrat

• Meduza (ITA)

• Melanie C DJ Set (UK)

• Mura Masa DJ Set (UK)

• Nerve & Friends (ECB & Cloe Terare)

• The Rions

• San Cisco

• Stephen Sanchez (USA)

• 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

• Sydney New South Wales (2013; 2015–)
• Melbourne, Victoria (2013)

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.

Notes

• A Big Top Luna Park 14 December.
• B Palace Theater and Ding Dong Lounge 15 December. The full lineup was announced on 9 October.

2014

The Plot was not held in 2014.

2015

Bold indicates headline act.

Notes

• A Parramatta Park 5 December.

The full lineup was announced on 30 September.

2016

• A Parramatta Park 19 December.

The full lineup was announced on 24 August.

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

• A Parramatta Park 18 December.

The full lineup was announced on 23 August.

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, Skegss, 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. |- | National Live Music Awards of 2016 | Groovin the Moo | ACT Live Event of the Year | |- | Best Live Music Festival or Event | |- | ACT Live Event of the Year | |-

References

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

References

1. (30 April 2018). "Two 'deadly' substances found during pill testing at Groovin the Moo". [[Canberra Times]].
2. (4 February 2021). "Groovin The Moo 2021 Has Been Cancelled".
3. Fry, Courtney. (14 Feb 2024). "Groovin the Moo has cancelled its 2024 edition of the regional festival".
4. "Groovin' the Moo Past Lineups".
5. "Groovin' the Moo - Narrandera 22nd Oct...Grinspoon/Spiderbait".
6. "Music News, Views and All the Latest from Junkee".
7. Chiddy Bang pulled out in Feb 2012 to be replaced by Ballpark Music – [http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/aust/52270/Chiddy_Bang_off_the_Groovin_The_Moo_2012_lineup# Chiddy Bang off the Groovin' the Moo lineup]
8. (17 March 2020). "Groovin the Moo".
9. (9 October 2013). "The Plot 2013 Drops Full Lineup Announcement".
10. (27 October 2014). "The Plot Festival Not Returning in 2014, Looks to 2015".
11. (30 September 2015). "The Plot 2015 Lineup Announced".
12. (24 August 2016). "The Plot Announces 2016 Festival Lineup".
13. (2016). "Nominees 2016".
14. (22 October 2020). "HERE ARE YOUR 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES!".