Popular music festival won’t run in Bendigo amid COVID restriction uncertainty

A major regional musical festival has been cancelled with unpredictable COVID restrictions the cause.

Hilltop Hoods Picture: Joseph Mayers Groovin The Moo 2019

Popular touring festival Groovin The Moo will not be returning to Bendigo and other Australian locations with organisers stating the one-day festival is on pause until 2022.

This comes as a Greater Bendigo Council spokesperson revealed Tourism Research Australia data shows the region has lost an estimated $21m from cancelled events between March and December 2020.

Victorians are officially allowed to boogie down at music festivals again almost a year after large public gatherings were banned but many popular event organisers say they can’t risk going ahead.

Groovin The Moo brings international acts to regional backyards and income to local economies with accommodation sold out in Bendigo and surrounding towns.

The organisers took to Facebook to announce the shutdown blaming the “uncertainty” of current COVID restrictions.

“Cattleyard Promotions is sad to announce Groovin the Moo won’t be returning to tour around our beloved farmyard in 2021,” the post read.

“Because of the current restrictions, the uncertainty of when they will be eased and the amount of time needed to plan GTM, it makes it impossible to go ahead with this tour in the way out famooly all know and love.

“We are working towards 2022 going ahead and will do everything we can to make this happen.”

Meanwhile other festival organisers are tentatively planning upcoming music events and looking towards next summer after three years of bushfires and COVID restrictions cancelled gigs.

Presently there is no insurance available to cover the cancellation or postponement of a major festival or event due to extreme weather or COVID, leaving organisers to decide whether the risk is worth it.

Australian Festival Association Manager Julia Robinson said although live music is on the cards it won’t be business as usual for some time.

“With capacity restrictions, border closures and an inability to insure events against the risk of a shutdown still threatening some of our favourite shows,” she said.

While GTM will not go ahead this May festival organisers, Cattleyard Promotions, will be hosting an new event in September focusing exclusively on local, fresh talent.

Fresh Produce will run across two days, Cattleyard Promotions director Steve Halpin said it’s time to support local.

“Our team is very excited to be developing a new show that highlights the ripest pickings from multiple regions around the country,” he said.

“We can’t wait to feature all things fresh and support local communities in our familiar stomping grounds and our two new regional spots.”

FRESH PRODUCE, BENDIGO LINE-UP September 24 to 25

National artists

G Flip

Cosmo’s Midnight

Hockey Dad

Lime Cardiale

Mall Rat

Hooligan Hefs

Local Bendigo artists

Mia Wray

Yergurl

Gangz

Jade zoe

Cliterally

Alice skye

Vince the kid

Oetha

Soju gang

Tonky

Fresh Produce will travel to familiar locations, supporting the six GTM regions of Townsville QLD, Bunbury WA, Maitland NSW, Canberra ACT, Bendigo VIC and Wayville SA, as well as cropping up in two new locations, Toowoomba QLD and Glenorchy TAS.