BIGSOUND 2023 Conference, Showcase and Special Events Schedule Revealed

+ Over 50 new speakers have been added!

11/08/23

Premier showcasing event and mass gathering of the great minds in music, BIGSOUND, today reveals its full showcase, conference and special events schedule. The 2023 event stamps its mark as the place to create change and celebrate the future of the Australian music industry, with a multi-faceted program of discovery, networking and professional development set to take place from 5-8 September in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

Already stacked with huge names like Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), Christine Anu and Omar Grant (ROC Nation), BIGSOUND has added over 50 new speakers and deal-brokers, alongside the full showcase timetable and special event program.

In 2023 the conference returns to its spiritual home, Judith Wright Arts Centre (JWAC) on Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, where the speaking events will be held. Following redevelopment in 2019, as one of Queensland’s most dynamic arts organisations, JWAC is once again ready to swing open its to the hustle of hungry music minds.

Hundreds of incomers will gain knowledge from across the musical spectrum at BIGSOUND’s speaker events, with one of the most insightful to be from rock music legend Mike Shinoda, who will sit down with Rolling Stone AU/NZ Editor-In-Chief Poppy Reid, for the opening Keynote on Tuesday afternoon.

Pivoting from punk legend with her band Camp Cope to critically acclaimed solo pop star, Georgia Maq has a lot to say about her experiences as a woman in Australian rock and an outspoken advocate for gender rights. From another end of the spectrum comes Casey O’Shaughnessy, one of the country’s most in-demand Senior Agents at Select Music, who’ll be in conversation with none other than Super Duper Founder Genna Alexopoulos.

Bringing their unique lived experiences of the elements that make the modern music industry are Bic Runga in-conversation with Leah Flannagan on Reclaiming Cultural Identity Through Music, Alex the Astronaut on Great Minds Think Differently - Neurodiversity In Music and Ash Stahl (Flight House) discussing Digital Marketing in the TikTok Era.

In a special shared Keynote presentation on the Wednesday, nine industry innovators including David Telfer (DMT Law Firm), Simone Schinkel (Music Victoria) and Susan Cotchin (Good Neighbour) will come together to look to the future of the music industry and offer ideas with big impact.

Want to ‘sync’ your teeth into the world of music on TV, film and video games? The Syncposium - Breaking Into Music For Screens masterclass, featuring Omar Grant and Karen Rachtman, will tell you everything you need to know to make your way to the silver screen.

Forums Oh Hai - Let’s Talk About AI featuring Hazel Savage (Soundcloud, VP, Music Intelligence), Paige X. Cho and Dean Ormston (APRA AMCOS) and Flip It Reverse It: Adaptive Entrepreneurialism in Music with Scott Cohen (JKBX), Heidi Lenffer and Zac Abroms (Viceroyalty) will touch on all of the hottest topics in the world of music right now, and offer collaborative insight into what comes next.

In addition to an epic speaker line-up and over 150 acts across three nights of new music discovery and more, BIGSOUND has a few more surprises in store!

2023 Speakers & Buyers

BIGSOUND SPECIAL EVENTS

BIGSOUND Delegate Pass holders gain access to a legendary schedule of official Special Events. It's your chance to discover hidden gems, including fresh faces and names you know and love, and even a few international acts that are making waves in their part of the world.

Kicking off the proceedings is the official Smoking Ceremony in the Brunswick Street Mall, followed by the BIGSOUND Opening Ceremony at Fortitude Music Hall, presented by Brick Lane Brewing Co.

Unmissable industry events (and parties!) for this year include Oztix’s 20th Birthday Bash set to be their biggest one yet, with electrifying sets and a secret act; Mushroom Group’s 50th Birthday celebration featuring some of Mushroom’s hottest emerging acts; Live Nation’s Ones to Watch; plus UNIFIED Music Group’s industry event featuring Full Flower Moon Band, FELIVAND and The Grogans.

Amazon Music are back in 2023 to present your late night go-to for live music, BIGSOUND After Hours. Featuring acts curated by independent labels, booking agencies and management companies, including TWNTY THREE, Our Golden Friend, Collective Artists, AUD’$, Sweat It Out and October Records, along with a special BIGSOUND Country music event curated by KIX Country and a Pride event featuring LGBTQI+ artists and allies, the series features a stacked lineup including Chitra, Elizabeth, GAUCI, Matilda Pearl, PRICIE, Tina Says, Moss, plus plenty more.

Hailing from Quebec, independent label Kartel Musik and entertainment company Musik Iz The Motive are teaming up to bring you a fresh line-up of talent from Canada! Adding to the mix of international and interstate showings is the NZ Music Commission profiling the best of new talent direct from Aotearoa, Made in SA featuring Aleksiah, Marlon x Rulla and The Empty Threats, with food by the Beer and BBQ Festival, plus a Victorian Meanjin Mixer. GYROstream will host our well-loved Roundtables, and the Live Music Office will host an afternoon mixer to discuss how government and industry can work together to support the growth of live music.

For those needing a bit of a break from it all, the LO-FI Lane will be home to calming beats and activities to help you unwind, with alcohol-free options by Lyre’s.

BIGSOUND industry brunches are back in a big way, beginning with the Women & Gender Diverse Folk in Music Brunch featuring Christine Anu in-conversation and tunes by Melody Moko and Dameeeela. Plus, network with your peers at Creative Australia’s breakfast held at Hotel X and relax and recover at the Queenslander BBQ Brunch, taking place on the Brisbane River at Howard Smith Wharves with laidback tunes and Bloody Marys courtesy of Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Secret Sounds and The Music will once again bring the goods for the BIGSOUND Closing Party, in what is always a not-to-be-missed way to close off a massive week.

2023 Special Events