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 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]
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]
"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.
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[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
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
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".[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.
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.
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.
