Just when you thought festival season was well and truly behind you and were left with only fuzzy memories of all the bands you witnessed over the blistering long summer, along comes Groovin the Moo Festival.

It's  regional country theme gives it a unique twist and also offers festival goers who don't live so close to the city something local to look forward to, which was clearly evident at Maitland on Saturday. It seemed every music and festival lover in the area rolled up to the sold out event and were rewarded with a perfect Autumn day, which was so much more forgiving than the horror of mid summer.

So for once us poor Sydneysiders had to pile into the car for the two and a half hour journey north. We arrived just in time to catch Darwin Deez in all his quirky glory, who flitted bended and jumped his way across the stage.

A team of red tracksuited musicians took to the stage next, Datarock, Norway's finest new breed of disco/ post punk/ funk left not a still foot in the field, and no one in danger of the blues.

Washington played to an adoring local crowd who were more than happy to echo her every lyric. The nicest surprise for me on this day was The GO! Team. Their upbeat dance tracks and their constant synchronized jumping routines across the stage made for an infectious happiness and energy that enveloped the crowd.

Although the majority of the crowd would not have remembered House of Pain's beginnings they were certainly there in droves to witness their latest incarnation, thankfully Everlast and Danny Boy did not disappoint and no doubt have mustered up some new fans from a whole new generation.

Local band Architecture in Helsinki played a strong energetic set and seem to be going from strength to strength which is good to see.

I first saw The Drums play at Splendour in Grass 2010 and was never more gobsmacked, their fruity camp antics on stage were not what I expected and it was great! They were a big draw card for me this festival and getting to see Jonathon Pierce mince about on stage with his hugely expressive face was truly fun.

There was another run of local acts like Gotye who played his unique blend of moody passionate percussion, and Birds of Tokyo who seem to have gathered more than a mere ground swell of popularity if the volume of the sing a longs is anything to judge by.

The Wombats surged onto the stage just as the crowd surged into one giant heaving mass, definitely the largest turn out of the day, there is no denying their popularity on these shores.

I'm not sure if it's just that everyone was at The Wombats or perhaps the crowd were not particularly familiar with the sophisticated sounds of UNKLE but the smaller crowd certainly made it all the more pleasant for those of us who were treated to one of their faster festival sets, a true joy to behold, and those that had stumbled upon them were openly screaming  'Who are these guys? They're great!' which some of us knew already.

Finishing up the night was Cut Copy who not only gave me the strength to bounce my poor tired body around for one last dance but was also essential medicine for the long drive home. A cracking line up and a great festival well worth the travel.