Australasia News: Festivals On Hold; Sydney’s New Theatre; Various Artists Goes Antipodal

AUSTRALIA

Groovin The Moo Cancels Second Year In Row

The Groovin The Moo festival, which canceled in 2024 due to low ticket sales, extended its hiatus to this year. 

Promoters said they are “working on finding the most sustainable model for Australia’s most loved regional touring festival.”

Set up in 2005, it took major acts such as Billie Eilish, Royel Otis, Parkway Drive, Coolio, The Wombats and Charli XCX to six regional centres, at its peak drawing 120,000 a year. predominantly in the 18- to 24-year-old male demographic.

GTM’s move came a week after Splendour In The Grass in Byron Bay decided to sit out 2025 after also going dark in 2024.

Regional mayors expressed alarm at the impact on their economies. The Bunbury, Western Australia, stop of GTM saw 74.5% of the crowd being out-of-towners.North Byron Parklands estimated Splendour and the defunct Falls pumped A$100 million ($62.1 million) into the Australian economy, with A$25 million ($15.5 million) spent in Byron Shire.

Bluesfest Byron Bay’s decision not to quit after 2025 – director Peter Noble confirmed to Pollstar he’s started booking for 2026 – means A$235 million ($146 million) continues into New South Wales and A$35.5 million ($22 million) into Byron.

Sydney Getting West End Theatre Precinct

Foundation Theatres promises Sydney a West End-style theatre precinct after its A$60 million ($37.3 million) buyout of the Star casino’s Star Event Centre in Pyrmont.

Aside from Lyric Theatre and the Foundry, which it already operates at Star, Foundation is planning three new venues costing A$100 million ($62.1 million) and due for operation by 2026.

These will be a 1,500-seat Broadway-style theatre, a 1,000-capacity concert room and a 550-seater for comedy and cabaret.

Foundation Theatre’s chief executive Graeme Kearns the five venues would draw 1 million patrons a year. 

They will also help Sydney compete with Melbourne as theatricals capital.

UK’s Various Artists Sets Up Down Under

UK management firm Various Artists set up an Australia/ New Zealand office in Sydney, under Arwen Hunt. From age 17, Hunt worked in all sectors of the biz, including as artist manager and partner at ATC London, overseeing Catfish and the Bottlemen, Kate Nash and Augustines.

As vice president, creative/head of A&R for Universal Music Publishing ANZ, she signed or A&Rd Lime Cordiale, Idris Elba, DMA’S, Ruel and PJ Harding.

Various Artists acts include Ashnikko who opens for Billie Eilish on the Australian leg of her “Hit Me Hard & Soft” tour; Melanie C who is guest hosting on “The Voice Australia” filming in February; and return visits in 2025 by Good Neighbours, The Libertines and Supergrass.

Ticketmaster/Roundhouse Extend Deal

Ticketmaster and Roundhouse Entertainment extended their 25-year-old agreement. 

Melbourne-based Roundhouse, a subsidiary of Mushroom Group, is run by Michael and Anthea Newton and operates the successful A Day On The Green and Live At The Garden series.

NEW ZEALAND

Revival Fails To Live Up To Name

Revival Festival, an attempt by Napier Council and promoter Endeavour Live to bring live music back to the Soundshell after 40 years, had to be canceled after ticket sales failed to reach 2,500.

The Feb. 8 event, billed as “NZ’s ultimate dance festival” was to feature Queen, ABBA and Elton John tribute acts. But it clashed with NZ’s biggest band SIX60’s show to 10,000 on the same day.

Meantime, the postponed Timeless Summer tour with Little River Band, Boy George, Bonnie Tyler and Starship, was set to unveil new dates Feb. 20.