Groovin The Moo has been a much loved event on the Victorian festival circuit for almost 10 years. Since 2009, huge international acts such as Vampire Weekend, De La Soul and Disclosure have graced the stage at Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showground, delighting crowds from all over Victoria. This year’s festival, on May 6th, is expected to be just as big, with an impressive selection of international, national and Melbourne-based bands on the bill, as well as festival extras like gourmet food trucks and market stalls. To help you get ready for the big day, we’ve prepared a handy festival guide including must see acts, what you’ll need to bring, and how to keep your energy levels up throughout the day.
Take advantage of the cloak room
Given the average temperatures for May in Bendigo are a 16.7-degree maximum and a 5.2 minimum, you’ll want to make sure you’re properly rugged up. Although the day will likely be fairly cool, it can get pretty muggy in the crowd, so take advantage of GTM’s designated cloak room and retrieve your winter woollies as night falls. If you’re bringing an extra bag, you can leave this in the cloakroom too, freeing you up for some serious dancing.
Must see international acts
The Wombats
The Wombats, one of the UK’s most prolific indie pop bands, are back this year for their second GTM appearance – and this time they’re the headliners. The band shot to success with their 2007 debut album ‘Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation’, which, ten years on, still resonates today. The Wombats are known for their exuberant live shows, so expect to sing along to iconic hits like Let’s Dance to Joy Division, Moving to New York and You’re Body Is A Weapon, as well as some highly anticipated new material.
Dillon Francis
American DJ Dillon Francis is a favourite with crowds, riling them up with his high energy electro-house and moombahton tracks. Francis started out as a sound guy in an LA club, however he grew tired of playing other people’s music and started mixing his own tracks instead, eventually getting noticed by American producer Diplo. After Francis’ collaboration with Diplo on the song Que Que, he shot to fame and has now released an impressive number of EPs, as well as full-length studio album ‘Money Sucks, Friends Rule’.
Milky Chance
German pop-folkers Milky Chance have also wooed music lovers the world over with their unique combination of folk, reggae and jazz influences, modernised by chilled out electronic beats. Their sophomore album ‘Blossom’ is still fresh off the record press, and judging by the reviews, it should translate into a dreamy and captivating performance.
Homegrown Melbourne bands
Smith Street Band
Melbourne favourites Smith Street Band are due to release their fourth album, ‘More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me’, on April 7th 2017, about a month before their appearance at Bendigo GTM. If the debut single Death to the Lads (which came in at number 21 in the 2016 Hottest 100) is anything to go by, the album should be packed full of rowdy rock anthems, which should make for a very energetic live set.
Northeast Party House
This Melbourne six-piece have come a long way since forming 2010; having been discovered on triple j Unearthed, they went on to release several EPs and supported much loved national bands such as Jungle Giants, Midnight Juggernauts and Ball Park Music. Now, they’re headlining their very own tour “Calypso Beach”, and you can catch songs from their debut album Dare at this year’s GTM.
Eat up!
Festivals can be tiring work with all that dancing around and having fun, so it’s important to stay hydrated and treat yourself to a good meal as the day wears on. Luckily, Groovin The Moo will have plenty of food vans to choose from, so you can take a break with a hearty snack when the hunger pangs strike.
The last thing you want to worry about when the festival ends is how you’re going to get home, and that’s where Melbourne On The Move have you covered. Melbourne On The Move are providing direct transfers to and from Bendigo Showgrounds, with pick-up/drop-off in Melbourne (CBD) and Geelong locations. To book your seats, or for more info, click here.