Groovin The Moo 2019 in Bunbury | Credit: Matt Jelonek/WireImage

Groovin The Moo Announces Dates And Venues For 2024, Including Move To Newcastle

January 16, 2024

Groovin The Moo festival organisers have shared details of its forthcoming 2024 return, set to take place in its usual spot of April but with two key changes: The New South Wales leg has moved from its long-standing locale of Maitland over to Newcastle, and the Sunshine Coast date will now take place in a larger venue.

Pertaining to the former, organisers confirmed that while Maitland Showground had served Groovin The Moo well “for many years”, the decision to relocate to Newcastle was done “after consistent patron feedback and consultation regarding their transport and accommodation needs.” Nuatali Nelmes, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, said in a press statement that the city was “a strong supporter of live music, and is committed to attracting and hosting major events.”

Groovin The Moo relocates from Maitland to Newcastle after “consistent patron feedback”

“Groovin the Moo will be a valuable addition to this year’s events calendar,” she said. “[It will allow] locals to experience some of the best Australian and international acts at the city’s premier events space in Foreshore Park, while also delivering an important boost to local businesses and the visitor economy.”

As for the Sunshine Coast, due to it selling out quickly for its debut run in 2023 organisers made the decision to “so slightly to a more spacious and central venue,” that being the Sunshine Coast Stadium Precinct. A full list of dates and venues for Groovin The Moo’s 2024 run can be found below.

After being unable to run due to the COVID-19 pandemic for two years, Groovin The Moo returned in a scaled-back manner for its 2022 run, with just three festival dates. The line-up included Wolf Alice – at the time, one of the first international bands to play in Australia since March 2020 – as well as Hilltop Hoods, Peking Duk, Broods, Milky Chance and Snakehips.

Its 2022 return, however, was not without incident: Free pill testing that was planned for the Canberra date was cancelled just days out due to private insurance companies making public liability insurance impossible to attain. A spokesperson for Pill Testing Australia called the companies’ actions “sad and quite dangerous”.

The festival returned in full flight for 2023, with a line-up boasting myriad international artists such as Fatboy Slim, alt-j, Denzel Curry and bbno$ as well as Australian acts like Ball Park Music, Amy Shark, Genesis Owusu and Ocean Alley.

As for 2024, a line-up has been promised by organisers “very soon”.