BIGSOUND 2024 WRAPS ANOTHER ASTOUNDING YEAR

+ Brick Lane Brewing’s People’s Choice Prize Award
& JBL Industry Winners Announced!

After another jam-packed year of exciting performances, insightful keynotes, and thought-provoking panels, BIGSOUND has added another incredibly successful event into the history books.  

From September 3 to 6, hundreds of local and international delegates flocked to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley precinct alongside thousands of adventurous music lovers, to learn, share insights, and experience exhilarating music performances from artists from not just Australia and New Zealand, but also Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, and South Korea.  

With the number of festival attendees up by 40% from 2023, it’s evidently clear that Australians still crave an immersive live music experience. 

Reflecting on this year’s event, QMusic CEO Kris Stewart says “It was so meaningful to see everyone from the music industry gather and focus on positives and how together, we can capitalise on a moment of change and make it an opportunity instead of a challenge.  

“It was a hugely successful year, which is incredible given the challenges faced by our industry in recent times. As importantly, it was a really strong year for the number of new collaborations and business outcomes that were initiated at BIGSOUND, and we’ll see the successes of these moving forward.”  

Global powerhouse Tones And I, aka Toni Watson, was the first Keynote off the block. She delivered candid advice to emerging artists, encouraging them to "do it your way", stay grounded, and embrace their own vision, while acknowledging the inevitable challenges that come with success. 

“Be a visionary, find your own way of doing everything, be brave, and have your feet firmly on the ground. Because if you do all of this right, people will try to knock you down. Keep your eyes on your own goal and don’t let anything stray you.”

A true highlight of the BIGSOUND 2024 festivities was the Keynote delivered by Amyl & The Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor, which echoed Tones’ sentiment. As she took the audience through her “hippie but bogan” upbringing, her hard-working parents, and the genuine lust for life that’s gotten her to where she is today, Amy also shared some valuable advice for both artists and industry professionals. 

“Don’t feel ashamed of it if you have bigger dreams than what your peers like. Because if you push through, it might help change the culture. Why should you limit yourself and not try and get money and enjoy being creative? And you deserve to get paid for being creative as well.” 

For her Keynote speech, multi-talent artist, creator, chef and icon Kelis took the audience through the extremely colourful life that has taken her from signing her first record deal at 17-years-old, and collaborating with artists like André 3000 to becoming a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef living her best life and reconnecting with her roots in Kenya. She also served up her own unique 25-year career perspective to help guide anyone navigating the music industry for the very first time. 

“If you’ve come to the conclusion that this is it for you, you don’t have anything else, this is who you are and this is how you can breathe, then you have to stand, put two feet on the ground and fight - and it’s ok to be afraid in the fight.” 

BIGSOUND 2024’s expansive First Nation’s Goolwal Goolwal program also captured hearts and minds. Nestled in the heart of Fortitude Valley, Goolwal Garden (The Sound Garden) provided an inclusive sanctuary, hosting thought-provoking panels, electrifying showcase performances, and exclusive events.  

Traditional Butchulla Songman and music industry professional Fred Leone shared a Keynote on his unique experience as one of the custodians of the traditional songs of his mob, and one of only a handful of keepers and custodians of the Butchulla language. Whilst Electric Fields’ Zaachariaha Fielding spoke at The Goolwal Garden about their own unique experiences as a First Nations artist and sharing their culture on a global stage. 

When the sun went down, over 150 of the world’s most compelling artists got the industry buzzing. Mulga Bore Hard Rock melted brains with their powerful fusion of English and native language, establishing themselves as a unique force within the music scene. Meanwhile, artists like tiffi, Miiesha, DoloRRes, J-Milla x Yung Milla, Playlunch, Armlock, total tommy, Bella Mackenzie, and dust, amongst so many others, delivered sets that also left a mark on BIGSOUND's massive crowd.  

For the first time, BIGSOUND is thrilled to announce the winner of the public voted Brick Lane People’s Choice Award is Gold Coast-based new-comer Lyric who captivated audiences with her ethereal vocals and smooth melodies during her showcase performance on triple j’s Unearthed Stage. 

Brick Lane Brewing Co’s Managing Director, Paul Bowker sends his congratulations, "As passionate champions of local music, we're thrilled to reunite with BIGSOUND for the third consecutive year as presenting partner, and to bring you the first Brick Lane People's Choice Award. 

“This award lets the audience shine a spotlight on their favourite acts, offering well-deserved recognition to an up-and-coming musician. Our heartfelt congratulations to the winner, Lyric, and to all of the artists who picked up votes. In a lineup packed with such incredible talent, every vote speaks volumes.” 

This year, five lucky artists will also walk away with $1,000 cash thanks to the newly introduced JBL Industry Prize. Bean Magazine, Armlock, Sex Mask, Miles Nautu, and Lucy Sugerman have been selected by a panel of judges comprised of domestic and international industry professionals, to receive this exciting prize! From this list of talented artists the team at JBL selected Miles Nautu to receive an additional $2000 of professional audio equipment to help progress his career. 

QMusic would like to thank the staff, sponsors, participants, venues, punters, volunteers, media, stakeholders, partners and others who have made BIGSOUND 2024 a hugely successful event.

This year, BIGSOUND can report that amongst the 1500+ Delegate pass holders were: 

318 Artists 

180 Self-Managed Artists 

115 Composers 

248 Artist Managers 

158 Booking Agents 

125 Media Representatives 

120 Venue Operators 

114 Digital Marketers 

166 Promoters 

107 Record Label Representatives 

87 A&R 

79 Tour Managers 

73 Technicians 

67 Producers 

56 Distributor Representatives 

34 Publishers 

27 Lawyers 

20 Accountants 

14 Sync Agents 

33 Students 

22 Sound Engineers 

37 Graphic Designers 

49 Government Representatives 

38 Ticket Company Representatives 

14 Tourism Operators

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