Announcing BIGSOUND’s 2025 First Nations Advisory Group: Leading the Future of Indigenous Arts and Culture

04/04/25

Today, QMusic is proud to introduce BIGSOUND’s 2025 First Nations Advisory Group, a powerhouse collective of industry leaders dedicated to strengthening the presence, representation, and opportunities for First Nations creatives in Australia’s music, arts, and cultural industries.

The Advisory Group aims to drive positive change, highlight the importance of cultural representation, and support the ongoing growth of Indigenous creatives. They will also contribute to the curation of BIGSOUND’s Goolwal Goolwal program—a vibrant celebration of First Nations culture and art, showcasing groundbreaking Indigenous artists and creatives on one of the industry’s biggest stages.

The Advisory Group will work collaboratively with key BIGSOUND team members; First Nations Music Officer Sue Ray (Gamilaroi/Gomeroi) and Producer Kearna (Kemister) Sweeney (Wiradjuri) to ensure that the voices of First Nations people are central in the decision-making processes that impact their representation at BIGSOUND.

Following a national call-out, the 2025 First Nations Advisory group includes:

Toni Janke, Chair (Wuthathi, Yadighana and Meriam), an award-winning musician with a career spanning government, community organisations, law, arts and education; Will Pawa-Oui (Samsep, Erub), a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion through Pawa Haus Creative and as a radio host; Michaella Harrison (Bidjara), a cultural leader embedding First Nations representation into major events across Queensland; Deline Briscoe (Yalanji), a renowned Yalanji singer-songwriter supporting Indigenous artists through Gaba Musik; Nathaniel Andrew (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) and Wiradjuri), a seasoned industry expert leading NATSIMO to foster Indigenous pathways in music; Warren Mason (Yuwaalaraay), founder of Tin Camp Studios, creating safe spaces for cultural storytelling; and Kiwat Kennell (Ugar/Erub), a Eastern Torres Strait Islander artist and producer dedicated to championing Indigenous voices in media and music.

With decades of collective experience across visual arts, music, storytelling, and performance, their contributions extend beyond their own creations; they mentor, collaborate, and build creative spaces, ensuring cultural knowledge is shared and sustained.

Through BIGSOUND’s Goolwal Goolwal program, the advisory group will continue to create opportunities for future generations of Indigenous artists to rise and inspire.

BIGSOUND 2025, featuring Goolwal Goolwal, will run from Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 September.

BIGSOUND 2025 FIRST NATIONS ADVISORY GROUP:

Toni Janke - Chair (Wuthathi, Yadighana and Meriam)
Will Pawa-Oui (Samsep, Erub)
Michaella Harrison (Bidjara)
Deline Briscoe (Yalanji)
Nathaniel Andrew (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) and Wiradjuri)
Warren Mason ( Yuwaalaraay)
Kiwat Kennell (Eastern Torres Strait Islander)