So as the music lovers of Maitland wait for the first Groovin The Moo 2013 line-up announcement to drop on January 30, industry pundits like myself can make some educated guesses as to who we’ll see on the annual regional tour next year.

To get the big bets out of the way, it seems likely that The Presets will be the Australian headline act.

They’re yet to widely tour their third album, Pacifica, and have previously appeared twice on Moo tours.

But it’s much harder to pick the international headliners.

Overseas acts who have toured here in the past 12 months might return for Groovin because it’s a regional tour - a brilliant opportunity for exposure to fans in new areas.

Franz Ferdinand are due to have an album out mid-2013 and have the chops to deliver a memorable finale to Groovin's proceedings.

They could also tie in some major city sideshows.

Other suitable Moo internationals are Passion Pit, Miike Snow, White Rabbits, The Cribs and New Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem.

Biffy Clyro are releasing a new record soon, which would make them a suitable booking.

Tegan and Sara have played Groovin before and are releasing a new record soon too.

At the dance stage, I have a feeling Justice might return to Australia for a live show to follow their DJ sets at Parklife in 2012.

You might also see the inclusion of Skream, M83, Benny Benassi or maybe even another visit from London dubsteppers NERO?

While I will stop short of using the phrase “token hip-hop act”, history shows that the Groovin bill usually includes both a modern and classic international rap group.

Past Groovin bills have included legends De La Soul, Public Enemy and House of Pain – is the inclusion of a recently reformed Run-D.M.C. wishful thinking? Or The Sugarhill Gang?

Of the modern hip-hop crop, I’ve got my fingers crossed for Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi or Wale.

Would also love to see The Weeknd, Frank Ocean or Plan B on the bill.

In terms of Aussie hip-hop lads, the promoters would be crazy not to sign up Seth Sentry and Urthboy.

Phil Jamieson of Grinspoon told me last month that the Hilltop Hoods had taken his band’s reputation as the “must-have” act for any respectable music festival.

“[Hilltop Hoods] are festival staples, they’ve taken the mantle from us,” Jamieson said.

As Grinspoon are booked for Big Day Out and have just announced a widespread regional tour in support of their Black Rabbits album, you can rule them out of Groovin’s plans.

If Jamieson is on the money, then Hilltop Hoods will return to Groovin next year.

In terms of other Australian acts, likely bookings are Tame Impala, Flume, The Rubens, Hunting Grounds, The Amity Affliction, City Calm Down, Rufus, Alpine, Gypsy & the Cat, Eagle and the Worm, Art of Sleeping and Sticky Fingers.

If the promoters want to add some virile rock to Groovin’s proceedings, then they should look no further than Redcoats and British India.

The Smith Street Band have amassed a fanatic fan base and would also be a quality choice.

Groovin always has a strong female artist, with past bills including Lisa Mitchell, Kimbra and The Jezabels.

In 2013 I hope it’s Abbe May.

Another hot tip – The Lazy Calm.

Formerly known as Tim and Jean, the duo have evolved into four-piece The Lazy Calm and are releasing a new single on Friday called Where Are You Going Now.

New Gods are a fresh “supergroup” featuring members of Little Red, Ground Components and Eagle and the Worm – don’t be surprised if they ride the Moo train.

So, after these violent stabs in the dark and desperate clutching of straws, here is my official predicted line-up... fingers crossed:

FRANZ FERDINAND + LUPE FIASCO + THE PRESETS + TAME IMPALA + JUSTICE (live) + SKREAM + THE WEEKND + M83 + WALE + THE RUBENS + WHITE RABBITS + THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM + THE AMITY AFFLICTION + SETH SENTRY + URTHBOY + REDCOATS + BRITISH INDIA + GYPSY & THE CAT + HUNTING GROUNDS + ART OF SLEEPING + EAGLE AND THE WORM + NEW GODS + THE LAZY CALM + STICKY FINGERS + BENNY BENASSI + FLUME + ABBE MAY + TRIPLE J UNEARTHED WINNER.

If you have any theories, please post them below! It’s not fair I be the only wild speculator.

Keep your eyes peeled on www.gtm.net.au for more information about Groovin The Moo.