BIGSOUND 2024 Reveals its Powerful Goolwal Goolwal First Nations Program

The First Nations led and curated program will span three days of panels, events and celebrations.

As the premier music showcase and conference event in the Southern Hemisphere, BIGSOUND proudly celebrates and platforms Indigenous voices, and today they announce the full 2024 Goolwal Goolwal First Nations program. “Goolwal Goolwal” translates from the traditional Yuggera language to “Big Sound”. 

Nestled within the bustling epicentre of Magandjin’s Fortitude Valley, Goolwal Goolwal beckons you to immerse yourself in its powerful currents. This deadly program is overflowing with sessions embedded across all of BIGSOUND, from September 3 to 6.

The Indigenous-led initiative is curated by a range of key voices that make up the Goolwal Goolwal team, including Elders-in-Residence Uncle Kevin Starkey (Nurrunga/Adnyamathanha and Saibai Torres Strait Islander) and Toni Janke (Wuthathi, Yadighana and Meriam); First Nations Music Officer Sue Ray (Gamilaroi/Gomeroi), Producer Kearna Kemister (Wiradjuri), First Nations Support Officer Natalie Lingwoodock (Birri/Kungarri/Byelee/Kabi Kabi/South Sea); and the First Nations Consultancy Group.  

Uncle Kev Starkey, Elder-in-Residence for this year’s event shares, “Being the inaugural Elder in Residence for QMusic and BIGSOUND back in 2022, it has been firstly an honour to be able to stand in representation of all First Peoples of this country. It has been equally a privilege, as well as exciting, to watch the growth and interaction between First Nations Creatives and Artists and the broader Music Industry.” 

Fellow Elder-in-Residence Toni Janke adds, “It’s so exciting to be part of Goolwal Goolwal and QMusic’s BIGSOUND 2024 program. The strong presence of First Nations artists and arts workers from not only Queensland, but right across the country, is testimony to the fact that First Nations culture is loud and proud. Music is part of our DNA and we want to showcase First Nations music to the broader community and to the world at large as the oldest surviving culture on the planet. Ours is a culture that is alive, vibrant and dynamic – ever-evolving and renewing itself through language, song, creativity and cultural expression in all its forms.” 

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Goolwal Goolwal initiative offers powerful opportunities to grow and showcase First Nations music programming and management and deliver significant market development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. 

“The Queensland Government supports QMusic’s extensive Goolwal Goolwal program within BIGSOUND, investing $1.2 million over four years into the initiative, to position Queensland as a global centre for First Nations contemporary music in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Minister Enoch said. 

“Goolwal Goolwal delivers on key priorities of this government’s Creative Together 2020– 2030 strategy including elevating First Nations arts, sharing our stories and celebrating our storytellers,” Minister Enoch said. 

With a program dedicated to empowering and amplifying Indigenous voices, the team are also announcing the Goolwal Garden, this year’s First Nations House located at The Sound Garden. This will act as the heart of the Goolwal Goolwal program, hosting three days of thought-provoking panels, electrifying showcases, performances, exclusive events, art exhibitions and most importantly - a community. 

QMusic First Nations Music Officer Sue Ray expressed, “As First Nations Music Officer at QMusic, I have been increasingly impressed and inspired by the depth and breadth of the First Nations talent we have in this Country. To be involved in producing and delivering the Goolwal Goolwal program has been intensely rewarding. I’m proud of the work our First Nations team at QMusic has achieved this year in the production of the Goolwal Goolwal program, and so excited to have the world experience the very best our Country has to offer.  

“There will be workshops, yarning sessions, showcases and more, and to witness so many artists, industry professionals and community come together to connect, elevate, and celebrate all things First Nations, will be so inspiring and rewarding.” 

GOOLWAL GOOLWAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

Highlights from across the three-day schedule will begin with the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony hosted by Shannon Ruska from Tribal Experiences on BIGSOUND opening day, Tuesday 3 September. This will be followed by Biki Karumba Chari Chari (Welcome Big Feast), where conference delegates are invited to a culinary experience showcasing the rich flavours of Indigenous Australian cuisine, led by Chef Tanika Orr, at the Fortitude Music Hall. 

Deadly Goolwal Goolwal events throughout the week will include a keynote session, Songman: Fred Leone In Conversation on the Wednesday, where the traditional Butchulla Songman will share wisdom about the importance of honouring his role as Songman and custodian of the traditional songs of his tribe, and how it intersects with his contemporary music career - from Hip Hop on Country to Eurovision. 

Wednesday will also host a night of Aboriginal techno and cultural celebration featuring First Nations DJs and producers Tongberang’i Ngarrga Inc at Leengkeel Karweeyn (Big Dance), joining the party is artists Brothers, James Henry, ChunKy, Carmel0 and Slidah. Tongberang’i Ngarrga Inc purpose is to provide an outlet for Aboriginal people to connect to one another, while celebrating and expressing Aboriginal culture to the wider community, through the medium of electronic dance music. 

BIGSOUND is also thrilled to announce a series of free Goolwal Goolwal events, accessible to all, held at Goolwal Garden and the open-air JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage, located in Fortitude Valley’s Brunswick Steet Mall, with the goal of bringing together the community. 

Amongst these is the In Conversation with Zaachariaha Fielding of Electric Fields, a Goolwal Goolwal exclusive yarn, joined by Will Pawa-Oui, where they will discuss Zaachariaha’s journey within music. This session will also highlight the power of creative mediums to express yourself and take care of your mental health and wellbeing. Fielding comes off the back of making the semi-finals of the 2024 Eurovision contest with their song “One Milkali (One Blood)”. 

At the JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage there will be more free shows, including, Blak Label Presents: 'Proppa Deadly' performance that embodies vibrant and diverse emerging Indigenous musicians of the contemporary scene in so-called Australia; the Tin Camp Studios Celebration for healing through sharing; and INCUBATED presented by AUM, wherein First Nations artists and creatives will be celebrated through a curated performance. 

VIEW THE GOOLWAL GOOLWAL PROGRAM

BIGSOUND MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKETS & DELEGATE PASSES ON SALE NOW 

ALL-ACCESS DELEGATE PASSES 

This is your ticket to access the full conference, 3-night Music Festival, parties and workshops. General: $779 / QMusic Members: $679 / Students $379.

BIGSOUND 3-NIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKET 

A BIGSOUND 3-Night Music Festival ticket gives you access to all performances: 120+ artists, across 18 venues, with just one wristband. Final Release: $89 +

BIGSOUND 1-NIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKET

Festival 1-Night Ticket: Standard rate $44.50 + bf 

Festival 1-Night Ticket: 25 & Under $25 +bf 

*NEW MOBILITY ACCESS TICKET* 

While every effort is made for BIGSOUND venues to be fully accessible, we recognise that some venues aren’t accessible to those with mobility requirements such as ramp or lift access. If you would like to purchase a Mobility Access Ticket, please complete the form here to submit a request for our Ticketing team to call you OR contact the BIGSOUND office on (07) 3257 0013.

BOOK NOW

#Related