Local artist lands opening slot as Groovin the Moo returns to Lismore

GROOVIN the Moo will return to Lismore on May 9, bringing a full-scale festival to Oakes Oval with a mix of major touring acts and emerging Northern Rivers talent.

The all-ages event marks a one-off regional stop as part of the Great Southern Nights program, placing Lismore back on the national festival circuit.

For a festival built on touring regional centres, the Lismore edition carries added weight, with organisers leaning into the strength of the local music scene alongside a national lineup.

That focus has already played out in the lead-up, with Bundjalung hip hop artist Mr Rhodes named winner of the Planet Music Homegrown Hero competition.

The win followed a live final at Lismore Workers Club, where a group of Northern Rivers acts performed for the chance to open the festival.

Mr Rhodes competed against Human Dinosaur Machine, Nazare and Sun Wilde, emerging as the artist selected to take the opening slot on the main stage.

 

Planet Music’s Matt Bone said the final reflected the depth of talent in the region.

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

“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.”

The prize includes a paid performance at the festival, along with a Fender guitar and additional support through the competition partners.

The Homegrown Hero program has become a pathway for emerging artists, offering a rare opportunity to move from local venues to a large festival crowd.

This year’s final drew a strong turnout, with a Lismore audience backing local performers in a format designed to connect the community directly to the event.

 

Beyond the local stage, the broader lineup reflects the festival’s mix of genres and audiences.

Acts including Baker Boy, Denzel Curry, Dope Lemon, Matt Corby and Tones and I will headline the day, joined by artists such as Ninajirachi, The Chats and The Terrys.

The program also features a mix of emerging and alternative performers, with Angel White, The Colliflowers and Kath Ebbs presenting Cowboy Country adding to the bill.

Jimi The Kween has also been added to the lineup, bringing a performance style that blends music, drag and DJ sets and broadens the scope of the event.

For organisers, the mix is part of a wider effort to rebuild the large-scale festival experience, with an emphasis on accessibility and community connection.

 

Ticket options have been structured to include younger audiences and families, with reduced-price entry for teenagers and free entry for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult.

The event will take place on Widjabul Wia-bal Country and is expected to draw crowds from across the Northern Rivers and beyond.

With a full-day program, a national touring lineup and a clear pathway for local artists to step onto a major stage, the return of Groovin the Moo signals more than just another date on the calendar.

For Lismore, it marks a moment where a major touring festival meets a local music scene already producing its own headliners.