Yesterday (31 January), The Music reported on the shocking news that the regional travelling music festival, Groovin The Moo, won’t be going ahead this year.

Organisers made the announcement on social media, citing their work on “finding the most sustainable model for Australia's most loved regional touring festival.”

The festival’s hiatus this year follows the cancellation of last year’s edition just two weeks after the line-up was announced, citing insufficient ticket sales.

Since the news dropped, the Australian Festival Association (AFA) has released a statement highlighting the “urgent need” for extended federal government support for “festivals of all sizes.”

“It’s disappointing to see that Groovin the Moo, one of Australia’s longest-running touring festivals, will not be going ahead in 2025,” Olly Arkins, the AFA Managing Director, said.

“Regional festivals like Groovin the Moo play a vital role in connecting audiences with live music outside of major cities, providing opportunities for artists, local businesses, and festival workers. But like many events across the country, the rising costs of production and ongoing challenges in the industry have made it increasingly difficult to operate.”

Arkins’ statement continued, “This cancellation highlights the urgent need for the Federal Government to extend Revive Live funding to ensure festivals of all sizes can continue to thrive. Festivals are essential to Australia’s cultural and economic landscape, and we look forward to seeing Groovin the Moo return in the future.”

Last year’s bill locked in numerous international acts, such as The Kooks, The Beaches, Armani White, GZA & The Phunky Nomads, Jessie Reyez, Meduza, Melanie C, Mura Masa, and Stephen Sanchez.

In terms of local talent, last year’s Groovin The Moo was set to feature Alison Wonderland, DMA’S, The Jungle Giants, Jet, King Stingray, Mallrat, San Cisco, The Rions, Nerve (performing alongside ECB and Cloe Terare), The Grogans, and more.

Groovin The Moo hosted its first festival in 2005, which ran every year until 2019. The first years to be cancelled were 2020 and 2021.

Since its inception, Groovin has grown to be one of Australia’s most memorable festivals, booking the likes of Billie Eilish, Denzel Curry, alt-J, AURORA, Wolf Alice, Disclosure, Nothing But Thieves, City And Colour, Architects, and many more in regional locations across the country.