Getting Into the Groovin'

It was a sunny Sunday and young adults from all around were flocking to the University of Canberra for the annual Groovin the Moo festival. Since its inception in 2003 Groovin the Moo has been bringing the latest music and artists to rural locations around Australia and in 2015 Canberra has proved as popular as ever with over 16,000 attendees.
With three stages spread across The Meadows the University was abuzz with music fans from across the ACT and NSW. The day kicked off with a performance from Triple J Unearthed band Boo Seeka on the Triple J stage. Shortly after Sydney born artist Montaigne took to V stage and Xavier Dunn took over the Moolin Rouge stage.
Melbourne band The Delta Riggs began shaking the Moolin Rouge tent at 11.45 and the crowds gathered to enjoy the cheeky indie rock vibes. Bringing out classics like ‘It’s Over’ and ‘Bobby’s Flowers’ their sound was flawless and their set vastly improved by the presence of a cocktail bar on stage which was constantly visited by anarchic lead singer Elliott Hammond.
Next the crowds flocked outside to V Stage to see Aussie rapper Tkay Maidza. With her catchy songs and energetic attitude Tkay dominated the stage and had the crowd bouncing along immediately with opening song ‘Brontosaurus’. Meg Mac and Sticky Fingers followed on V stage drawing substantial crowds and playing stellar sets, including favourites like ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ and ‘These Girls’ which had festival goers singing and dancing in the midday sun.
Sydney band The Preatures took over the Triple J stage around 3pm with their indie rock and lively lead singer Isabella Manfredi wowing the crowds. Next local band San Cisco took to the Moolin Rouge stage, drawing loyal fans of all ages. The tent was filled to the brim as the band brought out old favourites like ‘Awkward’ and ‘Too Much Time Together’ finishing off perfectly with the addictive ‘Fred Astaire’.
Ball Park Music drew huge crowds to the Triple J Stage at 5pm humbly rocking out the terrific ‘Everything is Shit Except My Friendship With You’ as the sun was setting over Canberra. Canadian rocker Peaches abused and amused crowds in the Moolin Rouge tent, giving the performance of the day with ‘Fuck the Pain Away’ and ‘Talk to Me’. Highlights of the set include a giant inflatable phallus and the spraying and spitting of champagne over eager fans.

As the night went on crowds remained enthused with UK act Charli XCX drawing huge numbers and Australian artists Wolfmother and Hilltop Hoods pleasing long-time fans with classics like ‘Joker and the Thief’ and ‘Cosby’s Sweater’.
Hot Dub Time Machine and New Zealand act Broods showed their skills in the Moolin Rouge tent before American trap artists RL Grime dropped the beat and had fans dancing and jumping to the tents edges.
Sydney band Flight Facilities finished off the day nicely playing the final set at 9.40pm. Exhausted fans were still singing and cheering as the band played ‘Clair De Lune’ and ‘Crave You’ into the night.
With ample food stalls, a welcoming over 18’s section and free water and sunscreen the festival was a roaring success and the crowds left happy and musically satisfied. The killer line-up and popular Australian acts drew huge numbers and the sound production for every set was flawless. Groovin the Moo 2015 was an unforgettable day at the University of Canberra and hopefully the annual festival will continue to draw in fans from near and far in the coming years, bringing tourism and pride to rural venues.
Story and photos by Clare Brunsdon