Afraid to confront the cold weather but keen to see the unique combination line up of rock bands, DJ’s and hip hop artists, Canberrans and even some out-of-towners flocked to the University of Canberra ovals for Groovin the Moo (GTM) on Sunday May 13.

Despite the freezing temperatures anticipated since the week before, keen festival goers maintained the summer spirit and kept the festival fun with an array of interesting outfits. Rugged up in an outfit fit for the snow, literally, we were ready to spend the day in the meadows and embrace the atmosphere of Groovin the Moo.

As we walked in, the Smirnoff Tent was pounding out an unpredictable mix of dance beats and chilled out tunes. As we moved through to the Triple J & V Stages which hosted the likes of our most popular ‘Brother’ Matt Corby, familiar stars to UC, The Getaway Plan and Parkway Drive.

Parkway Drive performed an intense screamo set. Comfortably seated on the grassy noll overlooking the mosh-pit we caught a perfect glimpse at some keen crowd surfers during the blend of metal and hard-core from the boys from Byron Bay. Security was quick to keep the intense crowd safe.

Heading back to the Smirnoff tent we ran our snow suits over to catch a glimpse of Aussie Hip-Hop artists 360. This catchy band educated the girls in the audience not to mess around with boys like them, performing a dangerously exciting set of Aussie hip-hop inspired favourites.

It was a race from one set to the next. For us it was over to the Triple J tent to see six-piece indie rock/pop band from Brisbane, Ball Park Music. The boys performed a chilled yet popular combination of songs followed by arguably the afternoons favourite band, City and Colour. ‘The Girl’ and ‘Fragile Bird’ were two that stood out for my first live experience of the Canadian band I’m sure along with many frantic fans.

Bolting from the bottom half of the meadows to the top wasn’t far and the trip was always an interesting well worth-it location change. This time we were on our way back to the Smirnoff tent, passing by all the colourful, creative and somewhat cool (in all senses of the word) outfits as we went.

Can I just say, I have been looking to see some serious Muscles on stage over the last few years and finally had the opportunity to. ‘Ice Cream’ definitely came to save the day in all flavours, ‘Chocolate, Raspberry, Lemon & Lime’. All flavoured up we headed back down to an unmissable set at the Triple J stage.

A sea of Kimbra fans were packed like sardines up against barriers for her eclectic performance in an unforgettable outfit. Dressed scarily like entertainer Lady Gaga, Kimbra’s powerfully blissful voice captured the most part of Canberra’s north- side. Her newest album ‘Vows’ comes out May 22nd I’ve been told.

Meanwhile more upbeat favourites kept on coming from the Smirnoff Tent, personally delivered by Blue Juice shortly followed by Adrian Lux. Appropriately named and performed ‘Teenage Crime’ made the crowd look ‘Alive’.

The Hilltop Hoods never cease to amaze me and they seem to never get old. The energetic vibe the boys give off is always more than well-received in any audience, anywhere. Their set at Groovin the Moo was no different.

Finally the Kaiser Chiefs closed the show on the lower stages, whilst Digitalism was the last performance in the Smirnoff tent and definitely brought the heat to top off the night. Standing front and centre it felt like you really did have ‘2 Hearts’. Jumping in ‘Circles’ a mix of young and old-er, cold and cold-er fans, Digitalism impressed exhausted but still enthused fans and closed the festival without a hitch.

Overall a fun day with what I experienced to be friendly security, mostly well behaved patrons and a delicious selection of food from all the unique stalls scattered around the festival Groovin the Moo Canberra 2012 put a cherry on my Sunday.

Photography by Jez Rozdarz.