Set to hit the stage in April next year with some of the biggest names in the Australian music scene, the boys of Go Dog Go were chosen out of 40 local applicants for the festival’s Pick of the Crop competition.
Land of Plenty festival director and organiser Aidan McLaren said with the band’s fun and playful sound, along with the recent release of its debut EP, Go Dog Go seemed like “the perfect fit for the line-up”.
“Their relaxed 70s Sunday groove fits perfectly with our epic bill of Triple J favourites,” Mr McLaren said.
“We loved their local roots, and their exciting sound and know they'll get everyone dancing at the festival in April!”
The psych-pop band Go Dog Go is made up of four Goulburn Valley exports: Charlie Bowmaker, Winton Findlay, Tobi Oladele and James Cowling. They have all relocated to Melbourne to continue their musical journeys.
Mr Findlay said the timing of the winning entry couldn’t have been better.
“We’ve sort of been trying to get on everyone’s radar because of the recent release of our EP a few weeks ago — we were all just sort of hoping for best-case scenario and thankfully it was,” he said.
“We haven’t really done the festival thing as a band yet and this is the first time gigs have been on where we’ve had music out; we sort of held off releasing so we could get a bit more support behind us.
“So this is a great opportunity to get our name out there and play with some awesome bands and people we’ve looked up to.”
The Land of Plenty festival began in 2019; however, with restrictions the festival has been postponed several times. It is set to end its hiatus on April 9, 2022.
Next year’s event is looking to be a big one, with rides, food trucks, art installations and loads of good times on the agenda.
On the bill are hit artists Ball Park Music, G Flip and Drapht among many more, including an event-specific performance of Baiyiya Garra presented by Still Here, curated by prominent Yorta Yorta artist DRMNGNOW.
Having declared the first festival a success, Mr McLaren said the local element was one set to stay and played a huge factor in creating the event.
“While Land of Plenty showcases some of Australia's biggest and best musicians, it exists to give back and celebrate the Shepparton community by celebrating local musicians, artists, food vendors, businesses, tourism and so much more,” he said.
“Showcasing local artists gives them a platform in front of brand new audiences, and perhaps their first ever opportunity to play a big festival stage, and celebrates everything that is good about Shepparton.
“We want to give local artists the opportunity to celebrate their creativity and art, and hope that the festival can help play a small part in doing this.”
For more information on the festival, visit www.landofplentyfestival.com
To keep up to date with the band, follow go.dog.go.wav on Instagram, or the band’s Facebook page, Go Dog Go.