After a two year hiatus, Groovin the Moo finally returned on Saturday (May 8th), and proved why it remains one of the country’s most beloved festivals.
The one-off edition kicked off at Lismore with a stellar crop of local acts supporting headliner Denzel Curry, including Tones and I, Matt Corby, Ninajirachi, The Chats, Dope Lemon, The Terrys, Baker Boy, and Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, as well as Lismore locals Mr Rhodes, Angel White, and The Colliflowers.
The weather turned it on as fans packed out Oakes Oval from mid-morning, with the gorgeous blue sky and sunshine only adding to the excited atmosphere. And the fans weren’t the only giddy ones – speaking with Rolling Stone AU/NZ backstage, those on the lineup shared the excitement.
“I used to go there as a grom, and that was the first ever fezzy experience I ever had,” The Terrys singer Jacob Finch told us of the festival. “Groovin’s special for us.”
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This year’s one-off event marked Groovin the Moo’s first edition since 2023, following an extended pause for the festival. In February, organisers said that the move from a touring festival to a one-off is a “deliberate and considered return… marking the first step of a long-term sustainable model”.
The 2024 event was cancelled just two weeks after its lineup reveal with organisers crediting insufficient ticket sales. Then Rolling Stone AU/NZ reported early last year that Groovin the Moo would not proceed with its 2025 event as it needed to find “the most sustainable model”.
Groovin was a highlight of Australia’s festival calendar for years, bringing big names to regional towns across the country. Past lineups included Billie Eilish, Angie McMahon, Flight Facilities, The Preatures, Amy Shark, Violent Soho, The Wombats, The Veronicas, WAAX, Gang of Youths, and many more.
Traditionally held in March, the festival has also served as a launchpad for local talent over the years, including Confidence Man, Ecca Vandal, Alex Lahey, while being a staple for fans of indie, rock, hip-hop, electronic, and more.
This year’s edition was presented by Great Southern Nights, with support from the NSW Government and Destination NSW, in partnership with ARIA.
Check out some of the best photos from the day below!
