Groovin The Moo has confirmed its return with a special one off event in Lismore, marking a focused comeback built around both established names and regional connection. The 2026 edition leans into range rather than spectacle, drawing together artists at distinct points in their trajectories.
Baker Boy arrives carrying the momentum of his second album DJANDJAY, a record that sharpens his sense of identity while widening his sonic scope. It positions him not simply as a charismatic performer, but as one of the country’s most assured contemporary rappers. His set in Lismore will likely reflect that shift, confident and forward facing.
Denzel Curry makes his return to Australia after headlining the regional tour in 2023. His live reputation rests on versatility as much as intensity, drawing from hip hop, jazz, punk and alternative textures without feeling scattered. Few artists on the bill understand dynamics quite like he does.
Dope Lemon, the solo project of Angus Stone, brings the hazy nocturnal pull of Golden Wolf to the Northern Rivers. His groove led songwriting continues to evolve in subtle increments, favouring mood and atmosphere over flash. It is a sound that tends to settle comfortably into open air settings.
Elsewhere, Groovin The Moo balances scale with specificity. Matt Corby joins the lineup ahead of his fourth album Tragic Magic, adding a voice that has long held weight with Australian audiences. Ninajirachi’s ascent continues after the impact of I LOVE MY COMPUTER, a debut that reframed her from underground favourite to nationally recognised producer. Tones And I returns home following extensive international touring, while The Chats and The Terrys carry their unvarnished rock energy into the mix.
The bill also makes space for participation and locality. Kath Ebbs brings COWBOY COUNTRY, a queer line dancing phenomenon that has quietly built its own devoted following. Maple’s Pet Dinosaur represents the new wave, a Newcastle teenager whose viral rise has translated into festival slots alongside major international acts.
Northern Rivers talent is central rather than tokenistic. Byron Bay’s Matt Corby is joined by Lismore’s The Colliflowers and Murwillumbah’s Angel White, a 17 year old Indigenous singer songwriter gaining momentum of her own.
Beyond the lineup, Groovin The Moo has partnered with local retailer Planet Music to launch the Planet Music Homegrown Hero competition, inviting emerging artists to submit their work for a chance to perform. It is a reminder that, at its best, this festival has always functioned as both platform and gathering point.
Groovin The Moo Lismore
Oakes Oval, Widjabul/Wia-bal Country
9 May 2026
11am to 10pm
All ages
Go HERE for all details.
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