Groovin the Moo

The Annual Groovin The Moo festival returned to the NSW Hunter Valley on Saturday the 22nd of April, bringing both local and international talent to the region. Maitland Showground was once again privy to the event, now in its 18th year since conception,

The Cattleyard stage kicked off the event with Lola Scott singing of high school drama into her guitar. Hey! Astro took over on the Triple J stage followed by locally grown Hip Hop Artist Talakai who brought the drinks to his hometown crowd, with songs such as Coffee, and Margarita.

The growing crowd was feeling the festival vibes with a breakdance duet in wait of Royel Otis.

A storm rolled through the Hunter Valley, but that couldn’t put a dampener on Barkaa who ‘came to send a message.’ The energy and stage presence from the Australian Rapper was contagious as she worked the Moo mob, witnessed by her dad who was the side of stage. The setlist included ‘Our Lives Matter,’ and ‘Blak Matriarchy.’

Melbourne Indie Punk/Rock outfit Slowly Slowly brought an intensity with tracks such as ‘Jellyfish,’ and ‘Blueprint.’ Lead Vocalist Ben Stewart went for a stage dive into the accepting audience, citing ‘my guardian angel- thanks for looking after me.’

BBNO$ ‘came here to suck’ and other expletives. The Canadian rapper apparently gives out a cook book at all of his events to whoever goes the ‘hardest’ and proceeded to read to the crowd a recipe for Chicken Wings.

Over on the Moolin Rouge stage, UK/Australian singer-songwriter Sophie May brought a beautiful blend of folk, pop and rock and confronting lyrics to the public. Taking over the main stage, The Chats- the best band in the world,’ lead singer Eamon Sandwith boasted, ‘according to BBNO$.’ The Australian Punk Rock band drew a massive crowd and energized the festival with songs, ‘Billy Backwash’s Day’ and ‘6L GTR.’

Confidence Man encompassed exactly that. The unique disco/dance beats in an indie/alternative platform, dressed in crowd-enticing costumes could only be summed up as captivating. ‘Don’t it make you feel good,’ and ‘Feels like a different thing’ were playlist highlights conjoined with synchronized dance moves, neon cones and a 70’s futuristic vibe.

UK-based artist Laurel graced the Maitland stage on her first tour down under, in a performance that could be described as ethereal. Fellow patriots Nothing But Thieves were also billed for the event, with a setlist including ‘Is everybody going crazy,’ ‘Forever and Ever More’ and ‘Impossible.’

Slayyyter put the Rouge on the Moolin stage- ‘I like to make songs about doing drugs and sex.’ This was the American artist’s 2nd time in Australia and the sultry performance was well received by the local crowd.

Northern Rivers garage rockers, Skeggs were ready to get rowdy on the main stage, their performance consisted of ‘Savour The Flavour’, ‘Under the Thunder’ and ‘Sip of Wine’. They were shortly followed by one of Australia’s most exciting touring acts, Ocean Alley who brought a psychedelic experience to the massing attendees. Their set was comprised of crowd favourites ‘Confidence’, ‘Yellow Mellow’, ‘Tombstone’ and ‘Touch Back Down.’

The crowd chanted Amy Shark onto the stage, and she blessed fans with beautiful renditions of ‘Adore You’, ‘Everybody Rise’, ‘Sway My Way’ and ‘I Said Hi.’

Denzel Curry was “Ready to Rumble”, bringing a brooding hard set to his Australian fan base. The Miami-based artist punched out tracks such as ‘The Ultimate’ ‘Walkin’ ‘Ain’t No Way’ and the new ‘Blood On My Nikes.’

Australian Electronic Producer Luude presented a Bass Heavy set to The Moulin Stage, his mix included samples from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Prodigy. Luude warmed the stage for the highly anticipated English Indie rock band Alt-J. Their set was moody with muted stage lighting and an awe-inspiring strobe light show.

Fat Boi Slim dropped a DJ set upon the unsuspecting Maitland crowd, that was synonymous with the big beats he has been renowned for more than 30 years. The mix included ‘Funk Soul Brother’ ‘Right Here Right Now’ and ‘Praise You’ which was cut with Rita Orr’s ‘Praising You.’ Other samples in the set included Queen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Survivor’s ‘Eye Of The Tiger.’ One thing was for certain at Groovin’, Fat Boi Slim was “in Maitland, bitch.”

By Pieta Clarke