Fortitude Valley will once again become the epicentre of Australia’s music scene as it prepares to host BIGSOUND 2024, the southern hemisphere’s largest celebration of new music and industry conference.
The annual event, now in its third year, will run from 3 to 6 September 2024. BIGSOUND 2024 will showcase over 150 emerging artists across 18 venues in the city’s vibrant live music precinct.
BIGSOUND has announced over 80 performers, with more acts to be revealed in the coming months:
| 1. Keli Holiday 2. Y.O.G.A. 3. Alex the Astronaut 4. Gretta Ray 5. dust 6. Dear Seattle 7. Sly Withers 8. Stand Atlantic 9. Miiesha 10. Alayna 11. Dear Sunday 12. Tiffi 13. Armlock 14. Bean Magazine 15. Georgia Lines 16. Hannah Brewer 17. Same Blood (J-MILLA x Yung Milla) 18. Stella Bridie 19. Towns 20. AKA Lui 21. Alienist 22. Austin Mackay 23. Belle Haven 24. breathe 25. Cap Carter 26. Charlie Pittman 27. Charlotte Le Lievre 28. Cooper Smith 29. DARTZ 30. Dick Move | 31. DoloRRes 32. Erik Sanders 33. Flow Kobra 34. Fool Nelson 35. FRIDAY 36. Front Row 37. Garage Sale 38. Georgia Mooney 39. Hellcat Speedracer 40. Homegrown Trio 41. Hudson Rose 42. ISHAN 43. Jerome Blazé 44. Juice Webster 45. Julian Munyard 46. JUNO 47. Kiwat Kennell 48. Lotte Gallagher 49. LUPO.THEBOY 50. Maanyung 51. Mac The Knife 52. MARVELL 53. Matahara 54. Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields 55. Mau Power 56. Medhanit 57. MUDRAT 58. NO CIGAR 59. Noah Dillon 60. Paige | 61. Park RD 62. PEPTALK 63. Playlunch 64. Prink 65. R.em.edy 66. Ray Dimakarri Dixon 67. Reiki Ruawai 68. Rowena Wise 69. SAME PAINS 70. Sesame Girl 71. Sex Mask 72. Sonic Reducer 73. Squid the Kid 74. Stocker 75. sunbleached 76. The Belair Lip Bombs 77. The Velvet Club 78. This New Light 79. total tommy 80. Vetta Borne 81. Vinnie Brigante 82. Wade Forster |
Conference Highlights
This year’s conference will feature over 25 industry leaders sharing their expertise on pressing issues facing the music sector. Notable speakers include Lutz Leichsenring from VibeLab, Lyndsey Havens from Billboard, and Josh Simons from Vinyl Group and Vampr.
Photo Credit: Bigsound/Facebook
Panel discussions will cover topics such as youth engagement with Australian music, creating sustainable music ecosystems, and the global perception of Australian music. The conference aims to foster innovative conversations and creative breakthroughs in response to ongoing industry disruptions.
One particularly intriguing panel, titled “Aged out: what does Australian music mean to youth?”, will explore how young people discover and engage with music in an increasingly digital world. Another panel, “Who gives a fuck about Australian music?”, promises to critically examine the growing positive global perception of Australian music while also exploring the veracity of local engagement.
Artist Showcase
BIGSOUND’s music festival component will feature a diverse range of up-and-coming talent. The second wave of artists includes Miiesha, an Anangu/Torres Strait Islander performer known for her powerful voice, and Alayna, an Aotearoa singer-songwriter who has collaborated with Finneas Eilish.
Other notable additions to the lineup include Dear Sunday, Tiffi, Armlock, and Bean Magazine. These artists represent a mix of genres and styles from across Australia and New Zealand. The festival provides a platform for these emerging artists to showcase their talents to industry professionals and music fans alike.
BIGSOUND’s Music Programmers, Casey O’Shaughnessy and Katie Rynne, have carefully selected the performing artists from over 1,200 applications, ensuring a high-quality and diverse lineup. This meticulous curation process means that attendees have the opportunity to discover their next favourite band among the showcasing acts.
Photo Credit: Bigsound/Facebook
Ticket Information
BIGSOUND 2024 offers various ticket options to cater to different attendees. Single-night music festival tickets are available, with discounts for those under 25. Three-night wristbands are also on offer, providing access to all performances across the weekend.
For industry professionals, all-access delegate passes are available through the BIGSOUND website. These passes grant entry to both the conference sessions and the music festival showcases, allowing for a comprehensive BIGSOUND experience.
BIGSOUND’s Legacy
Since its launch in 2002 by industry development organisation QMusic, BIGSOUND has played a crucial role in launching the careers of many successful Australian artists. Past performers who have gone on to achieve significant success include Flume, Rufus du Sol, Gang of Youths, and Tones and I.
The event continues to attract over 1,700 conference delegates and an aggregate showcase attendance of over 16,000, cementing its position as a key player in the Australian music industry calendar.
Photo Credit: Bigsound/Facebook
Community Impact
BIGSOUND’s presence in Fortitude Valley has a significant impact on the local community. The influx of visitors during the event provides a boost to local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and accommodation sectors. Moreover, the festival shines a spotlight on Brisbane’s thriving music scene, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a cultural hub.
The event also plays a crucial role in fostering connections within the music industry. It provides a unique opportunity for emerging artists to network with industry professionals, potentially leading to career-changing opportunities.
Published 19-Aug-2024
