Ex-Wham Manager Simon Napier-Bell, Composer Simon Franglen Confirmed for Bigsound 2023

Former Wham manager Simon Napier-Bell and Grammy Award-winning composer Simon Franglen are among the guest speakers added to line-up for Bigsound 2023.

Napier-Bell, the author, industry professional and raconteur, returns to Brisbane for the annual summit and showcase event, fresh from his appearance in the Netflix documentary WHAM!, which has launched the ‘80s pop duo’s music back in the U.K. charts.

Fellow Brit Franglen heads to the Sunshine State with a swag of 400-plus music credits in a decades-long career during which he has worked with Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones and many others. Franglen also helped shaped the scores for some of the biggest box office films of them all, including Titanic and Avatar.

Also confirmed for the latest addition of Bigsound are Cockenflap Festival promoter Cora Chan, ATC Live’s Caitlin Ballard, FKP Scopio’s Silke Westera and more.

Bigsound

“While we’re extremely fortunate to have a thriving, tenacious and ever-expanding industry in our own backyard, the importance of global relationships cannot be overlooked,” comments programmer Tom Larkin.

“So, in 2023, we’re leveraging all 22 years of our collective Bigsound experience to secure the most important figures in the industry for our next crop of Aussie acts. Deals mean meals and every very person we are bringing to Bigsound can further an artist’s career immeasurably.”

As previously announced, senior reps from Roc Nation, Netflix, Paramount, Soundcloud and Interscope will also speak at this year’s industry gathering, set to take place Sept. 5-8 in the Fortitude Valley.

All told, more than 100 international and national buyers, agents, music supervisors, bookers and “industry decision makers” will participate.

Also, Jada Weazel, Logan, Mason Watts, Moaning Lisa and Platonic Sex are among the 140-plus confirmed to perform for the popular showcase programme.

Produced by QMusic and presented by Brick Lane and Oztix, Bigsound recently scored funding from state government to the tune of $3.8 million over a four-year period.

Visit bigsound.org.au for more.