Groovin The Moo Adds 'Planet Music Homegrown Hero' Competition Winner To Line-up

Mary Varvaris

"A very worthy winner and just another reason to get along to Groovin The Moo in Lismore on 9th May," Planet Music's Matt Bone said of winning artist, Mr Rhodes.

Mr Rhodes at the Homegrown Hero Competition(Credit: Beth Ryles)

We’re just a few days away from the highly anticipated return of Groovin The Moo, and today, festival organisers have revealed that the already stacked line-up has grown.

How Great Southern Nights & Groovin The Moo Are Activating Live Music In Regional Australia

This year’s winner of Planet Music’s Homegrown Hero competition is local hip-hop artist Mr Rhodes. Following the win, he will open the stage at Groovin The Moo, held at Oakes Oval in Lismore on Saturday, 9 May. Mr Rhodes also won a Fender guitar, courtesy of Planet Music, as well as an apparel voucher from Thrills.

Planet Music’s Homegrown Hero Live Finals competition took place at the Lismore Workers Club on Friday, 24 April. Mr Rhodes wasn’t the only one who competed for a chance to perform at the beloved festival – he was up against fellow local acts Human Dinosaur Machine, Nazare and Sun Wilde.

“It was a huge night in Lismore as we showcased the finest talent in the area,” said Planet Music’s Matt Bone.

“Every act was worthy of their place on the stage, but it was Bundjalung hip-hop artist, Mr Rhodes, who triumphantly held the winner’s GTM cow and Fender guitar into the air. A very worthy winner and just another reason to get along to Groovin The Moo in Lismore on 9th May.”

Remaining tickets for this year’s Groovin The Moo are available on the festival website.

Mr Rhodes will be in impressive company when he takes to the festival stage next weekend. This year’s Groovin The Moo is home to international superstar Denzel Curry, alongside local heroes Matt Corby, Ninajirachi, Baker Boy, Dope Lemon, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, Tones And I, and many others.

The all-ages festival is presented by Great Southern Nights with the support of the NSW Government through Destination NSW and in partnership with ARIA.

Upon announcing the festival’s long-awaited return in February, Fuzzy CEO Adelle Robinson said that bringing back Groovin The Moo is about honouring “what it has always stood for.”

Robinson continued, “The festival belongs to regional Australia. Returning with a one-off show allows us to focus on doing it with the care and responsibility it deserves while the festival industry continues to navigate rising costs and increased pressure.

“We are so thrilled to come to Lismore, a place that reflects the spirit and resilience of the communities that Groovin The Moo has supported from the beginning.”