First 75 Acts Revealed

Following on from a massive first round announcement of speakers in May, BIGSOUND continues to cement its reputation as the country’s biggest discovery event for new music, with the unveiling of the first round of live acts.

The event, which brings together key industry figures and music fans from around to the world to sample the best of tomorrow’s hottest Australia acts, welcomes its first 75 acts. Showcases from Australia’s most buzzworthy live acts, including The Chats, Eliott, Cable Ties, Asha Jefferies, yú yī and more, sit among a long list of Australia’s future headliners.

Despite being only six months into a brand new year of Australian music, massive buzz from the industry has already helped solidify pop act Eilish Gilligan, electronic act CLYPSO, captivating songwriter Tyne-James Organ, Canberra rockers Moaning Lisa and Zimbabwean born, Perth based rapper T$oko as must-see acts at BIGSOUND Festival this year. Newcomers Georgia Mulligan, sweater curse, Adrian Eagle, KAIIT and Sydney DIY punkers ARSE have also positioned themselves as ones to watch in 2018.

BIGSOUND’s first round of live artists also sees an influx of metal, hip hop and folk music added to the bill; Sydney’s ARTERIES lead the charge for all things heavy, alongside metalcore outfits Gravemind, Sleep Talk and heavy hitters Cast Down. West-Sydney’s Kwame, badass rapper KAIIT and 15 year old KIAN position themselves are key players in the hip hop world, while the uncanny song writing of Georgia Mulligan and new work from Greta Stanley helps reposition the idea of ‘singer-songwriter’.

New Zealand act Wax Chattels, Indigenous duo The Merindas, dream pop act Pool Shop and iconic Australian musician Ella Hooper also help round out a long list of fresh acts for BIGSOUND Festival’s first announcement.

The festival will also see return sets from a small selection of BIGSOUND favorites including Blank Realm, Olympia, Gabriella Cohen and Oh Pep! While Brisbane outfit Blank Realm will be using the event as the world premiere for new material – after their previous release achieved critical acclaim around the world from the likes of Pitchfork, BBC, Stereogum and more – Olympia and Gabriella Cohen are also set to make return appearances with fresh work under their belts. Crowd favourites Butterfingers will be making an appearance at the festival, showcasing music for the first time since their 2017 single ‘Big Night Out’.

These artists (and over 70 others) will play in front of labels, publishers, agents, festival bookers and other industry heavyweights. Following in the footsteps of Stella Donnelly, Alex Lahey and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, BIGSOUND Festival artists from 2018 become eligible for the Levi's® Music Prize, the ability to score $25,000 in prize money and $5,000 in travel from Stage and Screen to assist in progressing their international music careers.