BIGSOUND Expands 2026 Program With 'Ideas & Innovation Hub'

BIGSOUND is expanding its conference offering for 2026, unveiling a new Ideas & Innovation Hub that will bring together music industry leaders, educators, technologists, and policymakers to explore the forces shaping the future of Australian music.

As the event celebrates its 25th anniversary, the new hub will sit at the centre of BIGSOUND's conference program under the theme ‘Creatives in Conversation’, with dedicated streams focused on technology, education, and innovation.

The initiative launches with two key partnerships: Australian non-profit organisation CAST (Centre for Arts, Sports and Technology), which will co-program the Technology Stream, and education technology company AMPLIFY Music Education, which will lead the event's inaugural Education Stream.

CAST, which works to connect entertainment organisations with emerging technologies, will help curate conversations around the tools and platforms transforming how music is created, distributed, and experienced.

Among the first confirmed guests for the Technology Stream is Emmy Award-winning composer, producer, investor, and music technology entrepreneur Lucas Cantor Santiago. As founder and general partner of Mindset Music Tech, Cantor Santiago has built a career at the intersection of music and technology, with credits spanning Olympic broadcasts, Super Bowl campaigns, and Fox Sports productions.

“I spent a lot of my career deeply sceptical of technology’s role in music, so I understand why these conversations can bring up real tension,” Cantor Santiago said.

“What changed my mind was getting closer to the work itself - not in theory, but in practice. I’m looking forward to joining BIGSOUND and having an honest conversation about where technology can support creativity, where caution matters, and what the industry should be paying attention to now.”

The conference will also introduce a dedicated Education Stream for the first time, designed to position music educators as a core part of the broader industry conversation. AMPLIFY Music Education co-founder Natalie Kradolfer said the partnership recognises the critical role educators play in building the next generation of music professionals.

“We are thrilled to launch BIGSOUND’s first dedicated education stream within the Ideas and Innovation Hub, giving music educators a crucial opportunity to be a direct part of the industry they play such a huge role in building,” Kradolfer said.

“True innovation requires a strong pipeline from the classroom to the sector, and this partnership ensures our educators are seated at the table. We look forward to collaborating with government, industry leaders, and the founders to champion the social and economic benefits music education delivers to the next generation.”

Also returning in 2026 is the Music Startup Tech Showcase, which will once again spotlight emerging companies developing tools and services for the music sector.

Applications are now open for startups working across creator tools, live events, fan engagement, and artist and venue infrastructure. CAST and BIGSOUND are seeking applicants from around the world, with shortlisted companies invited to pitch live during the conference.

The selection panel includes Van Picken (TEG), Drew Thurlow (Mindset Ventures), Sophie Robertson (TEN13), and Yvan Boudillet (Music Tech Europe). Additional startups will be featured in a digital publication distributed through the CAST network and wider Australian music industry.

Applications close on July 24th. 

The announcement forms part of a broader rollout of programming for BIGSOUND 2026, which takes place from September 1st-4th in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. Recent reveals have included the BIGSOUND 100, new Artists in Conversation sessions, and a growing list of international guests ahead of the full program launch in July.