Bendigo's Jack and The Kids wow their hometown crowd. Photo: Lucinda Goodwin Photography
Groovin the Moo may be a music festival known to attract top Australian and international talent, but it also serves as a big break for emerging local artists. Courtesy of Triple J's Unearthed, a program aimed at fostering independent Australian music, one band from each town on the tour is given the chance to play a set. An enriching experience in its own right, the competition also introduces music fans to some of Australia's most impressive young acts.
Local rock band Jack and The Kids were the Bendigo winners, playing a set that frontman Jack Kennedy said they "will never forget".
"To play in front of our hometown crowd at GTM was without doubt the greatest experience we have had since forming as a band. The local support was great, and despite the bad weather it was great to see some people there for our set."
Featuring at a festival with the reputation and size of Groovin the Moo is an impressive accomplishment for any young band. Fellow acts on the line-up have sold platinum albums in the United States, played around the world and won ARIA awards.
The prospect of sharing the stage with those artists was exciting and nerve-wracking for Caitlin Henry, vocalist of Maitland winners Eat Your Heart Out.
"We were super excited and a little nervous straight away, and immediately decided we needed to practice more!" laughed Henry on the moment her band learned they would be on the bill.
For Jack and The Kids, the news elicited a mixture of positive emotions.
"We were notified over the phone by Triple J, and it was a combination of feelings for me. Overwhelming was definitely one of the feelings, excited, and I think most of all I felt very proud," Kennedy explained.
Part of the excitement stems from the possibility of what could follow from appearing at Groovin the Moo. For an insight into what the Unearthed program can lead to, the winners needed only to look on later in the day at SAFIA. Since winning Unearthed Canberra in 2013, the electronic act have become a fixture on the Australian music scene and returned to the festival in 2016 as one of the most hotly anticipated names on the bill.
Henry is 'grateful' for the support and exposure Eat Your Heart Out has received through the Unearthed program.
"It is so important, it gives young bands a simple way to get their music out there and give it a chance to get heard."
Kennedy also reiterated his band's appreciation for the program.
"We are very thankful to Triple J and Triple J Unearthed for the exposure they have given us over the last few months."
With Groovin the Moo now concluded, both acts are eager to build on their momentum. Eat Your Heart Out are set to release a new EP entitled 'Carried Away' and will visit Melbourne in July to promote it, whilst Jack and The Kids have a run of dates coming up. They will be holding a single launch for 'Real Again' at Revolver Bandroom on May 21 then supporting The Pretty Littles and Neighbourhood Youth at Castlemaine's Bridge Hotel on June 3.
