Fortitude Valley will once again pulse with the energy of the global music industry as BIGSOUND 2025 kicks off from 2–5 September, presenting a bold new direction and a stacked lineup of international tastemakers.
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Positioning itself as the Southern Hemisphere’s definitive gathering for music professionals, this year’s event is anchored in a theme of “connection that counts” — a timely response to a sector undergoing rapid change across technology, touring, and artist development.
One of the most highly anticipated guests is Darcus Beese OBE, the iconic former head of Island Records UK and US, whose signing credits include Amy Winehouse, Sabrina Carpenter, and Remi Wolf. Now heading his own venture, Darco Artist Partnerships (DAP), Beese is known for championing artist development over data-driven decisions — a stance that sets the tone for BIGSOUND’s artist-first agenda.
Reflecting on the evolving industry landscape, Beese noted that while the business is more challenging than ever, music still holds profound value for audiences. He’s excited to explore these changes at BIGSOUND, and to potentially discover new Australian talent for his roster.
Joining Beese is an impressive delegation of booking agents, promoters, and label reps from across the globe, including heavyweights from Wasserman, CAA, Ground Control Touring, and One Fiinix Live, as well as festival programmers from Reading and Leeds, Communion ONE, and C2C Festival.
Indie label powerhouses such as Secretly Group, Nettwerk Music Group, Third Man Records, and Believe will also be on the ground, all with a keen interest in scouting Australia’s next breakout acts.
According to QMusic and BIGSOUND CEO Kris Stewart, the event is designed as a checkpoint and a springboard — a chance for the industry to reflect on where it’s been and envision where it’s going. Whether it’s on a panel, in a showcase, or during a coffee break, the aim is to foster meaningful exchanges that can shape careers and collaborations.
Behind the scenes, 2025 marks a programming shift, with Cathy Oates and Niriko McLure stepping in to reimagine the conference’s structure. Their vision places a premium on relevance, resilience, and real-world opportunity, tailored to the unique challenges and possibilities facing today’s artists.
Oates acknowledges that the music landscape has dramatically shifted in recent years, with traditional gatekeepers losing influence and new fan-building strategies emerging. The upside, she says, is that barriers to entry have never been lower — and Australian artists are making waves on the global stage.
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McLure adds that the conference will spotlight those pushing boundaries and doing things differently, offering a platform for new voices and practical pathways to international growth.
As BIGSOUND continues to evolve with the industry it serves, 2025 is shaping up to be one of its most globally connected and forward-thinking editions yet — a hub for ideas, discovery, and the next chapter in music’s future.
Published 26-May-2025
