ONE of the biggest tragedies to befall the Australian music industry in recent years was the death of the Big Day Out in 2014.
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It meant the days of the massive travelling roadshow festival, boasting an international-quality line-up, appeared over, a victim of shifting tastes and sky-rocketing costs.
While the regionally-focused Groovin The Moo isn’t on the same level as the Big Day Out, organisers dropped an impressive line-up on Tuesday that will certainly have Maitland Showground heaving on April 28.
Anyone bemoaning the death of hard-rocking bands and the saturation of electronic dance music will need to check out English powerhouse Royal Blood. The two-piece boast arguably the world’s most electrifying bassist in Mike Kerr, who plays his four-string like Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme.
Royal Blood released their self-titled debut in 2014 which earned them a Brit Award for best band and a Mercury Prize nomination. They followed with their second album How Did We Get So Dark? last year.
The biggest singalong of the festival is likely to be Feel It Still by surprise Alaskan pop stars Portugal. The Man. After a decade of plugging away in the alt-rock fringes Portugal. The Man blew up internationally last year with their eighth album Woodstock.
Feel It Still became a US Billboard No.1, reached No.5 on the ARIA charts and on Sunday won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
There should be plenty of older fans at Maitland Showground among the sea glitter and skimpy outfits with Australian live favourites Grinspoon and Paul Kelly in action. On second thought, Kelly’s How To Make Gravy will probably outshine Feel It Still for singalong of the day.
At its core Groovin The Moo is a youth festival and the Triple J brigade have been well catered for. Electro-pop artist Vera Blue, Indigenous rapper Baker Boy, indie band Ball Park Music and electro-soul six-piece Winston Surfshirt all featured in Triple J’s Hottest 100 last Saturday.
One of the more bizarre inclusions are Brisbane metalcore band The Amity Affliction, who will add volume and rage to the festival.
Pre-sale tickets are on sale from 8am Wednesday through moshtix.com.au.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
