What an honour it is to attend a music festival, especially one as beautiful and welcoming as Groovin The Moo.
Despite being a chilly morning in Lismore (9 May), the crowds did not disappoint showing up bright eyed and ready to dance the day away – and what a day it was!
As the tunes played on, the town warmed up and the vibes rolled in. As an all-ages event, there was such a beautiful, respectful and welcoming feeling from the crowd. What more could you want? Blue skies, beautiful people, and amazing music! Speaking of music, let's kick off with the opening act.
First onstage and straight out of the gate with pure passion was Mr Rhodes. A local hip hop rapper, producer and composer, Mr Rhodes blends his Bundjalung heritage into his music. Think hip hop that's smooth yet punchy, high energy with soulful moments.
Mr Rhodes - image © Stella Burke
Next in line was the lovely Angel White. For such a young person, her stage presence is through the roof.
With genre-bending sounds and heavy influence from her musician father Steve Spacek, Angel White produces this enthralling mix of soul R&B and folk music. Angel invited her brother onstage to finish off the set together with her 2024 single 'Would yu?'.
Soon after The Colliflowers were sizing up the stage. This is a band who makes dancing in the sun feel so easy.
Another act on today's bill based in Northern Rivers, this indie-rock band is best known for their energy onstage, feel good tunes, and very catchy melodies. 'Devil's Child', 'Streets' and 'Let Me Go' are just a few of their amazing songs.
The Colliflowers - image © Stella Burke
With time to have a quick break in between sets, let's talk about what else Groovin The Moo had on offer. Walking around the lovely venue, Oakes Oval on Widjabul Wia-bal Country, there were plenty of things going on.
Two large show rides were in the middle of the field. On the far left of the green oval you could find an array of food, ranging from burgers, dumplings, Indian cuisine and of course pizza; because what's a festival without pizza?!
Moving along, in front of the mighty food hill on the flats were a few bars to choose from; House of Matcha selling various canned matcha latte flavours, and most importantly a Youth Zone and a Mini Moo Land.
These two spectacles held different events and activities throughout the day, entertaining children and giving the parents a small break. Moving to the centre to the venue, cloaking, merch and other community stalls could be found.
Maple's Pet Dinosaur - image © Stella Burke
Back to the stage, and Maple's Pet Dinosaur. WOW! I hope you packed ear plugs. Regardless of being another young act, these guys were a wall of noise in the best way possible.
Heavy riffs, high energy and melodic, pulling inspiration from '90s grunge/ rock, Maple's Pet Dinosaur ruled the stage. Playing big numbers such as 'Lego' and 'Chorus', this young alternative band held the audience captive for their entire set. Can't wait to see more from them in the future.
The Terrys were on soon after. Think indie surf-rock with a little bit of chaos. With passionate vocals, strong guitar hooks, and fast-played drums, The Terrys often invoke a dreamy-summery nostalgic feel, often compared to similar Aussie acts such as Skegss.
Starting their musical journey as a shed band, to now charting at #2 on the ARIA Album Chart, The Terrys is definitely an Aussie band you don't want to miss out on.
Keeping the strong Aussie theme going, The Chats then entered the stage. Starting out as another teenage shed band, The Chats songs are in tune with all of the Aussie classics. 'Pub Feed', 'The Price Of Smokes' and of course their original claim to fame 'Smoko'.
Highly infectious, high energy and quite chaotic, The Chats have solidified themselves in the world of short and fast Aussie punk-rock anthems.
The Chats - image © Stella Burke
Now for maybe the most important part of the day, it was time to pay respect to all past, present and future elders. The Welcome to Country was held by Uncle Gilbert Laurie on the beautiful land of the Widjabul Wia-bal Country. Speaking in his native tongue and in English, Uncle Gilbert explained the significance of this ritual.
Baker Boy then brought his A-game. Holding such a positive force within the Australian hip hop industry, Baker Boy blends English with his native Yolngu Matha language. Bridging his way across cultures, Baker Boy brings very vibrant dance music with funk infusions that often highlights his big energy and charisma onstage.
To break up the performances a little, and to have some fun with the crowd, Kath Ebbs showed us all how to line dance and proved the Nutbush dance pares well with The Veronicas song 'Untouched'. A helping hand from the festival's DJ Jimi the Kween, the audience were up and dancing away in no time. Such good fun!
Kath Ebbs & Jimi the Queen - image © Stella Burke
Dope Lemon was up next. This is the indie folk/ psychedelic-rock project from Angus Stone. Known for bringing a laid-back, dreamy and even stoned vibe to the stage, his performance is cinematic and suave. Envision a hazy and dazed atmosphere onstage, his music is perfect for sitting back, relaxing with a loved one and just listening to it all play out.
To flip those relaxed vibes on its head, was Ninajirachi. Intense EDM, glitch pop and just pure fun, Ninajirachi is an Australian DJ who is absolutely taking over.
Her 2025 debut album, 'I Love My computer', explores the world of internet culture blended up by complextro and trance influences. In my personal opinion, Ninajirachi is a must-see act at the very minimum.
Ninajirachi - image © Stella Burke
Short lived was the EDM fun, and that's okay because the astonishing Matt Corby was on next. Raw emotions, an absurdly versatile voice, soulful neo-soul, he is an expert onstage.
Although 'Brother' and 'Resolution' may be his classics that we all think of, his most recent works are more mature, full of self-produced instrumental layers, and somehow even more warm. Corby's sound is so authentic – a one-of-a-kind artist.
Raw talent, unique songwriting and an unmistakable voice, it could only be time for Tones And I. Great stage presence and production, her performance was full of bright colours, lots of back-up dancers and contagious joy. It was very easy to dance away into the night when she was onstage.
That time of the night had come. After seeing top-shelf performances all day, the long wait was over for the headline act. All the way from Florida. . . Denzel Curry. Being such a versatile rapper, Denzel bridges the sounds of underground rap with mainstream appeal.
If you want head-banging, ferocious energy mixed with the strong ability to balance personal and introspective rhymes, Denzel Curry HAS TO BE at the very top of your list. What an honour it was to experience his greatness live.
Matt Corby - image © Stella Burke
With all of that said and done, the festival is unfortunately over. Heavy, sore legs and tired beings pile into the now cold and quiet streets of Lismore. My heart and soul is full from an unbeatable all-day experience that only a festival like Groovin The Moo can offer.
I'm eagerly waiting (already) until next time to see how Groovin The Moo will one-up themselves. If you haven't been before, go! If you have, go again! Groovin The Moo, we love you!
- written by Stella Burke
