BIGSOUND announces major format changes for 2018 as it opens artist applications, ticket sales

A greater focus on encouraging the next generation of game changers, more acknowledgement of indigenous music artists,  more use of future music tech, a new travel grant and a new student’s rate.

After a 40% increase in attendance last year, BIGSOUND has today announced a range of changes for the event this spring.

It will be again held in Brisbane’s entertainment precinct Fortitude Valley from September 4-7.

A change of approach is that the event is “dedicated to creating and celebrating a new generation of change-makers in the Australian music industry.”

To enable artists and music industry executives to make deep changes, it will invite a greater amount of input and participation from delegates.

The keynotes and panels will still feature major names, the all-new forum sessions are designed for greater dialogue, meeting more people and learning more practical skills than before.

“We want to use BIGSOUND this year as an opportunity to create growth, not just in the music business and economy but culturally and socially too,” said executive programmer Maggie Collins.

“We will be inviting people from across the community to help us reimagine the future of the music industry and open our eyes to new ways of doing things, including thought-leaders from other fields like sport, entertainment, design, psychology and more.”

As part of a refocus on music discovery, there’ll be a greater profile given to the essential role that First Nations people increasingly play in the Australian music industry.

As reported in TMN last month, indigenous arts administrator Alethea Beetson has joined in the inaugural role of First Nations producer to enhance the cultural appropriateness of the event.

The indigenous music community will play a large role in BIGSOUND’s new opening party on the Tuesday afternoon.

BIGSOUND is supported by the Queensland government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland, and by the Federal government via funding by the Australia Council for the Arts.

Queensland minister for the arts, Leeanne Enoch, said that supporting BIGSOUND was an important part of the state government’s support of the music sector.

“BIGSOUND, as Australia’s largest gathering for the contemporary music industry, showcases our songwriters and performers, and importantly brings together our emerging talent and national and international market leaders,” the minister said.

“The new elements QMusic has introduced to BIGSOUND this year, including celebrating the contribution First Nations people make to the music industry and a stronger focus on a unified music community, will inspire and enable artists and musicians to take their career to the next level.”

Today also marked the opening of ticket sales and artist applications both at www.bigsound.org.au

BIGSOUND has become a place to discover new acts, especially for international delegates who check out the showcase acts online and been known to contact TMN staffers for their opinions on the acts.

Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana, Courtney Barnett, San Cisco, Violent Soho, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Methyl Ethel and The Jungle Giants are some of the acts which used BIGSOUND as a major launching pad.

Showcasing artists are also eligible for the $100,000 Levi’s Music Prize which has resulted in $25,000 each for Stella Donnelly and Alex Lahey to achieve their export goals.

This year’s prize will also increase to include $5,000 to each winning artist in travel from Stage & Screen.

BIGSOUND’s music tech component will be expanded in 2018 to provide even more hands-on opportunities for delegates to experience the future of music.

Friday’s program will include a greater focus on live music and experiential events.

BIGSOUND is also introducing a new student ticket rate, welcoming tomorrow’s industry leaders to the conversation table at an affordable price.

“The new BIGSOUND program will be a revolution in the way the Australian music industry comes together to make change happen,” said QMusic CEO Joel Edmondson.

“We realise that conferences based purely on a ‘talking heads’ model no longer have a place in a 2018 music industry that values the contributions of diverse peoples.

“BIGSOUND has always been here to create opportunities for networking and learning, and with this year’s event, we will be at the cutting edge of both.”