BIGSOUND

BIGSOUND 2023: Four artists defining Australia’s next wave of Pop

Now, let me confess something: I’ve always avoided Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. It’s not that I don’t appreciate its charm – I really do, but I would much rather stay within the confines of my super secret sanctuary (a.k.a my rented bedroom). My appearances in the Valley are like a supermoon – rare and unusual, but…

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Live Nation’s ONES TO WATCH announces lineup for BIGSOUND showcase

Live Nation has been committed to changing live music discovery with their series ONES TO WATCH. Unearthing fantastic Australian talent, the series is set to keep up the momentum with the announcement of the new instalment of the series at this year’s BIGSOUND. Taking place in Meanjin/Brisbane on September the 6th, this instalment is set…

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Massive lineup revealed for BIGSOUND 2023

The full lineup of artists to showcase at BIGSOUND 2023 in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from 5-8 September has dropped, and it’s jam-packed with your next-favourite bands. BIGSOUND is a thrilling slice of the best of the emerging Australian music scene. With eighteen venues within walking distance of each other, Fortitude Valley comes alive during BIGSOUND….

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Banjo Lucia

BIGSOUND Interview: Banjo Lucia on her songwriting process, being fearless and love of musicals

Banjo Lucia is a singer/songwriter from Fremantle in Western Australia who is very much starting to make waves. She’s had a stellar 2022, releasing her debut EP, Peccadilloes to broad acclaim. As well as her own headline shows, Banjo has racked up some pretty great support slots, including Stella Donnelly on her national tour, San Cisco…

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Marlon Williams

BRISBANE & BIGSOUND 2022: A view from a transplant [Op-Ed]

The sort of creature that vomits in a little bag as their plane lands in Brisbane should not, perhaps, feel entitled to comment on the week that followed. Unfortunately, I (the creature) feel just that sense of entitlement and will continue to comment. I am on the (now-profaned) plane, and in Brisbane, because I am…

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Budjerah

BIGSOUND ’22 through the eyes of a first-timer: The four acts to watch

Attending BIGSOUND 2022 for the first time, Naarm-based writer and creative Selin Ruby Kaya hit the venues of Fortitude Valley to soak up the best in new Australian music. Here, she names the four artists who struck a particular chord, as she reflects on highlights from the largest music conference in the southern hemisphere. BUDJERAH …

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How Brisbane’s LÂLKA proved the hometown hero of BIGSOUND ‘22

When I meet multi-hyphenate creative LÂLKA in Fortitude Valley’s Bakery Lane, the first thing I notice is her outfit. More specifically, I notice the handmade jacket with huge safety pins on either side of the collar and a linen panel neatly hand-stitched to the back — the panel features an illustration of LÂLKA in the…

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My Five Highlights of BIGSOUND 2022

BIGSOUND descended onto Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley for its twenty-first year as the southern hemisphere’s biggest celebration of new music. With over 180 artists performing across 21 venues in just three nights – the festival can be a little overwhelming to first-timers and seasoned attendees alike. There are so many incredible showcases put together by venues,…

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Budjerah

Photo Gallery: BIGSOUND 2022 – Day 3 ft. Budjerah + The Terrys and more (08.09.22)

Day 3 of BIGSOUND 2022 continued to deliver. A highlight of the conference was the keynote speech from Jaguar Jonze. To say it was moving is a gross understatement. She told the story of her youth, a series of struggles as the Australian court system refused residency to her Taiwanese mother. It’s not possible to…

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Photo Gallery: BIGSOUND 2022 – Day 2 ft. Full Flower Moon Band + Andy Golledge and more (07.09.22)

Day 2 of BIGSOUND 2022 provided many musical highlights. Again, there were so many choices to make and so limited time. The conference was packed with options during the day. From learning about spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, discussion on Web3, NFT’s and the opportunities they provide, to the Roundtable discussions, it was a busy…

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Photo Gallery: BIGSOUND 2022 – Day 1 ft. Teenage Joans + Marlon Williams and more (06.09.22)

The 21st edition of BIGSOUND kicked off yesterday in emphatic style. It opened with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country. There was a moving tribute to the late Archie Roach, and performances from Kutcha Edwards, Fanny Lumsden, Loren Ryan and Beddy Rays with a guest appearance from Jen Cassar Daly. The artist showcases were…

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Tasman Keith

BIGSOUND adds Clea and WILSN as 2022 edition readies for kickoff

The 21st edition of BIGSOUND, Australia’s most significant music conference kicks off next Tuesday in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The facts and figures are astounding. There are over one hundred and eighty artists, across twenty venues in Fortitude Valley. There will be 345 artist showcases, 20+ Official Bigsound parties, and 16,000 Festival attendees. The Conference has…

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Tom Morello, Tones and I, and more to lead BIGSOUND 2020 speakers

BIGSOUND has announced the first lineup of keynote speakers for this year’s virtual edition of the annual festival. American legend Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets Of Rage, The Nightwatchman) leads the charge with an insightful presentation on his life as a musician and activist. “Join me at BIGSOUND to talk music, activism,…

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BIGSOUND goes online for a free virtual festival in 2020

With ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and border closures between states, the annual BIGSOUND festival will be transitioning to a free virtual event for 2020. Held across Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October, the event that would normally be held in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley will now be taking place entirely online. “BIGSOUND has always been about bringing…

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BIGSOUND 2020 will go ahead, in a safety-first format

In what is great news for the music industry in Australia, the organisers of BIGSOUND have confirmed that the 2020 edition will proceed. This will be sixth edition of this important showcase of the best and brightest of emerging talent within the music industry. BIGSOUND will be held again in Fortitude Valley, over a condensed…

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Singapore at BIGSOUND: Get to know .gif, Caracal and Lincoln Lim

Throw post-hardcore into the same show as indie-folk and dark electronica, and you might have a very confused crowd. That is, unless you’re at a showcase event like BIGSOUND, where the Australian music industry completely gives themselves over to a few days of discovery, sifting through live music both homegrown and international. That kind of…

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Got an idea for the next big thing in music and tech? BIGSOUND wants to hear from you

BIGSOUND Tech, the popular music conference’s tech showcase is returning in 2019, bringing with it the opportunity for entrepeneurs to strut their stuff and learn from the best and brightest minds in both the tech and music industries. Part conference, part networking event, part festival BIGSOUND Tech puts entrepeneurs with big ideas in front of…

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Interview: Not a Boy’s Name talks about “Hazard Perception Test” and his BIGSOUND debut

Dave Jenkins Jr’s new indie rock project, Not A Boys Name, is off to a flying start with the release of an impressive new single “Hazard Perception Test”, and a video to match. A song about resilience and learning how to navigate negativity, “Hazard Perception Test” is punchy and melodic. The video, directed by Matt…

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Interview: Handsome (Sydney) talks about embracing dancing, tomboy pop and No Hat No Play

On the last day of BIGSOUND 2018, Sydney-based performer HANDSOME has had a realisation. “Last night I danced for half a song and lost my breath. I feel like I probably need to exercise a bit more to actually do this role a bit of justice.” It’s understandable. Brisbane’s BIGSOUND is a massive event full of…

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BIGSOUND Interview: The Beths (New Zealand) talk wizard rock and their debut album

Leading up to BIGSOUND 2018, there was a lot of gossip about New Zealand indie-pop band The Beths. But singer/guitarist Elizabeth Stokes says we could have been discussing a different band. “I tried to start a wizard rock band from the perspective of Hermione Granger when we first started the band, but I couldn’t do…

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BIGSOUND Interview: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Perth) talk recording their upcoming album and Clive Palmer

Gathered around a table at Brisbane’s The Elephant Hotel, psychedelic rockers Psychedelic Porn Crumpets were readying themselves for shenanigans at BIGSOUND. Much like their name, the conversation with the Perth quartet was weird and caused a lot of laughs, beginning with them learning controversial mining magnate/politician Clive Palmer placed an ad mocking radio host Ray…

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BIGSOUND Interview: Sahara Beck (Brisbane) on her new direction and upcoming tour

Sahara Beck is nursing a twisted ankle after a spirited BIGSOUND performance the night before. From her telling, injuries seem to be a common occurrence for her at the festival; sometimes physical, other times her pride. “Footstomp Music Management had a party and everyone was upstairs doing business stuff and talking,” she says. “Me and…

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Music Matters Interview: Jaguar Jonze (Brisbane) talks about their BIGSOUND live debut while in Singapore

While we were in Singapore last week, we sat down with up-and-coming Brisbane artist Jaguar Jonze, who was fresh in the city from BIGSOUND with her three piece band to play the annual Music Matters Live festival. The shows were amongst the first the group had ever played together, with their BIGSOUND set the prior…

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BIGSOUND Interview: Carla Geneve (Perth) talks about developing in a regional music community

It’s the final day of BIGSOUND 2018 and a Bloody Mary has arrived for Carla Geneve. “Oh my god, I need this,” she laughs. The Perth-based singer-songwriter played a spirited set the night before with her band at Brisbane’s Hey Ya! Bar. That room was crammed with people, so much so it was difficult to…

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BIGSOUND Interview: San Mei (Gold Coast) talks persevering and discovering her sound

Gold Coast artist Emily Hamilton, aka San Mei, has learned a lot about herself recently, including her stage name. “It’s my Chinese name,” she explains. “I grew up with my parents telling me it means beautiful flower. But recently I asked my aunty, who is Chinese, and she said San means three and Mei means…

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BIGSOUND Interview: Asha Jefferies talks about the importance of guidance on her emerging career

At 19 years old, Asha Jefferies is considered a new artist, but the years of experience under the Brisbane singer-songwriter’s belt would qualify her as a veteran. She began writing and performing at the tender age of 11. At 14, she won the Byron Bay Busking Challenge, leading to her performing on that year’s Bluesfest…

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The Best of BIGSOUND 2018: Six discoveries who left a lasting impression

Brisbane’s BIGSOUND festival has long brought the best up-and-coming acts to the attention of the music world. For the 2018 edition, gig-goers took in as many as they could of the 150 scheduled acts that performed on 18 stages across Fortitude Valley. Past BIGSOUNDs have introduced the likes of Confidence Man, Alex Lahey, Tkay Maidza…

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Photo Highlights: BIGSOUND Day Three feat. Regurgitator, HANDSOME, Sweater Curse and more

The final night of official showcasing at BIGSOUND 2018 has come and gone, but along the way our photographer Jasmin Osman managed to capture a few of the highlights from the night including surprise guests Regurgitator at the OzTix party, buzz act Sweater Curse, Sydney’s HANDSOME, Korea’s Wedance and East Brunswick All Girls Choir.

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Emerson Snowe wins Levi’s Music Prize at BIGSOUND ahead of tonight’s AU Review 10th Birthday appearance

Brisbane artist Emerson Snowe has been making big waves at BIGSOUND 2018, and today he has a lot to show for it. The performer has been announced as the winner of the Levi’s Music Prize‘s first round, receiving $25,000 towards growing his project. Also known as The Creases‘ bassist Jarrod Mahon, he has been making waves over the last…

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BIGSOUND 2018 Day Two: Tape/Off broadcast riffs, Wax Chattels spew noise, and Paul Kelly takes over

After the heavy rainfall of the first day, BIGSOUND attendees finally saw that famous Brisbane sun. Most people would have rested from the late night of enjoying the best up-and-coming bands, but a mid-morning keynote talk with Aussie legend Paul Kelly made the early start worthwhile. Chatting with The Australian’s Andrew McMillen at a packed…

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