BIGSOUND reveals 2020 conference program & BIGSOUND50 recipients

The full conference program for BIGSOUND’s 2020 online conference has been announced, as have the musicians recognised in the BIGSOUND50

This year’s 100% free and online BIGSOUND will take place across October 21 and 22, with the conference to include a keynoted delivered by Wait But Why’s Tim Urban.

Urban is an international thought leader and viral sensation, and his Ted Talk ‘Inside the mind of a master procrastinator‘ has over 41 million views.

Other speakers include the previously announced Tom Morello, plus Kev Carmody, Tones And I, Amy Shark, Nat’s What I Reckon, and more.

Key topics that will be addressed are the “United Nations of The Music Industry Sh*tshow” with thought leaders from across the globe, while “The Future of Event Streaming” will look at the rapid development of music events online and what that means for the future of online events and licensing.

Some of the other highlights are set to include an incredible selection of Indigenous conversations and voices in a program put together by First Nations programmer Aletha Beetson.

“Pay The Rent” will explore the use of Indigenous quotas across radio, festivals, and streaming as an agent for change.

“From The BIGSOUND50 to the conference conversations, First Nations voices are prevalent across the entire event as we hold valued perspectives on re-futuring the music industry,” Beetson said.

Other panels and discussions will include “Beyond the Bla(c)k Tile”, “Putting Down The Master Tools” and “Cultural Resurgence”.

“Working alongside the festival programmers to curate The BIGSOUND50 list has led to an even stronger representation of Indigenous artists than ever before at BIGSOUND.

“This is supported by a First Nations program and a number of decolonial conversations within the wider conference schedule offering solutions to the issues faced by the music industry in 2020.”

Organisers have also announced the BIGSOUND50, a selection of artists who’ll receive industry mentorship, meetings with key professionals and opportunities to connect with delegates.

They’ll also get first priority application access to showcase at BIGSOUND 2021.

The BIGSOUND50 were selected by co-programmers Dom Miller and Ruby-Jean McCabe, alongside First Nations programmer Alethea Beetson, with showcases not taking place due to COVID-19 restrictions this year.

“When it became obvious that we wouldn’t be able to do anything physical this year, we came up with a whole new way of showcasing our BIGSOUND artists in 2020,” co-programmer Dom Miller said.

“The BIGSOUND50 are the 50 artists BIGSOUND believes the world should be paying attention to in 2020 and beyond.”

The BIGSOUND50 includes Dallas Woods, The Merindas, Jaguar Jonze, JK-47, L-FRESH The LION, Sycco, No Money Enterprise, BIRDZ, Memphis LK, Harper Bloom and more.

“It was a massive undertaking to narrow down all of the incredible applications to 50, but we have managed to pick a group of talented and inspiring artists that we know will all become household names.

“We’ve discovered some of our new favourite artists through this process, and we can’t wait to showcase what’s next for The BIGSOUND50.”

The BIGSOUND50 is listed in full below, and the full program is available here.

Adam Newling
Aodhan
ASHWARYA
Bad/Love
Beans
Beddy Rays
BIRDZ
Boox Kid
Bow and Arrow
CLOE TERARE
colourblind
Dallas Woods
Death By Denim
Debbies
DOBBY
Eastbound Buzz
Harper Bloom
Hauskey
Hayley Marsten
J-MILLA
Jaguar Jonze
Jerome Farah
Jess Day
JK-47
Jordan Dennis
Kee’ahn
KYE
L-FRESH The LION
Lydia Fairhall and The She Oaks
Matalja
Memphis LK
Middle Name Dance Band
Ms. Thandi
Nerve Damage
No Money Enterprise
Noah Dillon
Oetha
Order Sixty6
River Boy
Shannen James
SOPHIYA
Southeast Desert Metal
Squid Nebula
Sycco
The Dreggs
The Merindas
The Yorke Band
We Set Signals
Yawdoesitall
Yirgjhilya