ACCESSIBILITY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT BIGSOUND22

#A first for mainstream music festivals, the Youngcare Stage will deliver an inclusive music experience for both artists and audience members of all abilities.

QMusic and BIGSOUND are partnering with Youngcare to showcase accessibility at BIGSOUND22! A first for mainstream music festivals, the Youngcare Stage will deliver an inclusive music experience for both artists and audience members of all abilities.

The Youngcare Stage is to be held at Fortitude Valley’s very own Outpost Bar. Taking inspiration and guidance from Groove Tunes, it will provide wheelchair stage access, accessible bar heights, Auslan interpreters, a chill out space and reduction of the use of strobe lights. 

Youngcare CEO Greg Johnson said the event will set a new benchmark for inclusivity for the Australian music industry and festivals everywhere.

Youngcare aims to create freedom, independence and choice for young Australians with disabilities and high physical support needs, by helping them choose where they live, who they live with and how they live their lives. “Youngcare will always advocate for equality and inclusivity” Greg said.

“We firmly believe young people with disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else, whether that be regarding their living situation, or which events they attend. We are so proud to be at the forefront of inclusivity in our organisation’s hometown of Brisbane, and I can’t wait to see the music industry adopt full accessibility as the new standard, nation-wide.”

- Youngcare CEO Greg Johnson

Tim McCallum is a well-known Brisbane musician and is passionate about inclusive performance spaces. He is the Youngcare Stage Accessibility Ambassador and is excited about the opportunities this provides both emerging musicians and music lovers with a disability.

“I am thrilled to be associated with this event. We’ve seen great advancement in recent years with festivals such as Ability Fest producing accessible events, and the Youngcare Stage continues this legacy through the support provided to artists with a disability.”

BIGSOUND’s Youngcare Stage will be supported by Groove Tunes, a concept delivering a night of accessible entertainment, highlighting artists with disability in the live music industry curated by Dina Bassile. Dina is the founder of Tibi Access, a disability led consultancy that aims to create excellent standards of accessibility in the music industry. 

Saint Ergo

Amongst many talented artists, gracing the stage is Melbourne based singer, songwriter and disability advocate Saint Ergo. Saint Ergo promotes the art of musical connection and goes deeper into exploring the intersection between creative expression, song writing, accessibility, gender and sexuality.

Catch Saint Ergo on Tuesday evening at The Outpost from 8:10 pm when the Youngcare Stage officially kicks off, and then continues every night from 8pm of BIGSOUND22, from 6th to 8th September.

BIGSOUND Tuesday 6 - Friday 9 September 2022 Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Tickets for BIGSOUND Festival are on sale now! 

A BIGSOUND Festival Three Night Pass gives you access to all performances: 180+ artists, across 21 venues, with just one wristband.

BIGSOUND THREE NIGHT FESTIVAL PASS (+BF) Early Bird $99 (on sale until 31 July, or until sold out). Full price $109 / $99 (students) (+BF)

BIGSOUND DELEGATE PASS (Access to festival, conference, industry events + more) Starting at $439