Groovin is here and organisers sat down to give the Mercury a taste of what it takes to get Australia’s biggest regional music festival off the ground.
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This Saturday 20,000 people will pour into town to see major national and international acts take the stage for regional Australia’s major music festival.
Groovin The Moo promoter from Cattleyard Promotions Stephen Halpin said he’d seen the festival grow beyond his expectations over the last 12 years.
“It brings that energy to a town,” he said.
“Groovin now has its own culture, and I think it ads to the culture of the towns.
“The crowd really takes over the town and I like to think it brings a good vibe.”
Mr Halpin said he felt Groovin played an important role for music fans in regional Australia.
“Suddenly Maitland is getting mentioned on national media and through places like Triple J.
“I hope it gives people a sense of pride in their town, I hope it shows that towns like Maitland are cool places.
“There was a great quote someone posted on Facebook a few years ago ‘I never thought I’d see Bendigo and Public Enemy mentioned in the same sentence.’.
“It’s great to have that contrast.”
He said that while fans reap the obvious rewards of being able to see major acts in their own backyard, the artists themselves also benefited from seeing regional Australia.
“The artists love it, it’s got a reputation as a high quality show, with massive crowds,” he said.
“Sometimes city festival goers are a little blase, they just get so many acts coming through.
“But the artists notice the excitement of the [regional] audiences.
“Those are the moments that excite me.”
Mr Halpin said that while exact figures weren’t avaliable for Maitland he estimated the city would see an economic injection of between $2.5 and $3 million.
Groovin The Moo will kick off on Saturday from 11am at the Maitland Showground. Tickets are no longer available as the festival sold out.