Groovin The Moo

The return of Groovin the Moo felt genuinely special — not just another music festival, but the return of something people had truly missed. From early in the morning, there was a noticeable energy around the site, with crowds arriving excited, relaxed, and clearly grateful to see Groovin back in regional Australia. The entire event was incredibly well organised, from smooth entry lines and security to the overall layout of the festival grounds, which made the whole day feel easy and enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

One of the best parts of the day was the atmosphere. It felt welcoming, safe, and surprisingly family friendly, with groups of friends, parents, teenagers, and longtime festival goers all mixing together comfortably. Everywhere you looked people were smiling, dancing, catching up, and simply enjoying being back around live music again. There was a strong sense of community throughout the entire event that gave the festival a much more personal feeling than many larger city festivals.

Musically, the day delivered from start to finish. Tones and I brought huge energy to the stage, with the crowd singing every word back at full volume, creating one of the biggest moments of the festival. Ninajirachi was another standout, delivering an energetic and visually exciting set that kept the crowd moving from beginning to end. Honestly, every artist across the lineup seemed genuinely excited to be there, and that excitement flowed straight into the audience.

What made Groovin the Moo stand out most was how much heart the festival had. Between the strong performances, friendly atmosphere, local food vendors, and smooth organisation, the entire day felt like a celebration of live music returning to regional communities. Groovin’s return, and especially to the township of Lismore, didn’t just meet expectations — it reminded everyone why festivals like this matter so much.

Thanks to Groovin The Moo, Great Southern Nights, Beehive PR, Morsecode PR and the city of Lismore for having us along.

Review by Jasmine Blanch & Photos by Mark Stevens for Music Festivals Australia