Once more a large chunk of the Australian (and international) music industry descends on Brisbane's Fortitude Valley for the 2018 BIGSOUND music conference and showcase (4-7 September).
Now in its 17th year, BIGSOUND is an annual opportunity to discover new music in a global gathering of musicians, industry professionals, brands, media and music lovers alike over four big days and nights. Part conference and part showcase, BIGSOUND is the place where future careers are bought and sold.
With the full 2018 programme now revealed, BIGSOUND in 2018 looks set to surpass all previous incarnations. The showcase this year presents over 150 artists all looking to impress the menagerie of tastemakers and influencers that make the annual pilgrimage in search of their next big hit.
Demon Days
Showcase punters can look forward to short and punchy sets from bands and artists that hail from all parts of this big, brown land, such as Adrian Eagle, Bad Juju, Cast Down, Demon Days, Ella Hooper, Future Jr, G-Flip, Hollow Coves, I Know Leopard, JEFFE, Kaitlin Keegan, MANE, Not A Boys Name, Olympia, Paces, RAAVE Tapes, Sahara Beck, Tape/Off, VOIID, WildHeart and yu yi.
As for the conference, this year's keynote speakers include Virginia Hanlon Grohl and Mardi Caught. Virginia is of course the mother of Dave Grohl and retired from a 30-year teaching career to jump planes and buses around the world on tour with her son.
A member of a special sorority of rock star mums, Virginia will be sharing some of her experiences with the BIGSOUND crowd in what is sure to be a heartwarming presentation.
Mardi Caught
Mardi Caught is the former General Manager for Warner Music Frontline Marketing where she earned a reputation as a skilled marketer and digital strategist working on campaigns for Ed Sheeran, Twenty One Pilots, Dune Rats and more. In 2018 she launched a marketing services division called The Annex, which delivers artist and management marketing strategies.
Other speakers include Future Classic founder/ CEO Nathan McLay, agent for The Billions Corporation Brianna Liebling, Music Director for 2SER Andrew Khedoori, Brisbane Lions player Allen Christensen, plus a wealth of highly-experienced industry personnel sharing their knowledge and expertise.
BIGSOUND offers extensive opportunities for attendees of all levels to engage with peers and develop their skills in a series of workshops.
Learn to 'Tune Out Your Inner Critic' and push towards your goals, get tips for 'Managing Mental Health' and stay on top of your demons, or pick up some basic business skills from White Sky in 'Music Business & Accounting' and ensure making music can also make you some money.
While much of the daytime action is centred around keynote speakers, panel discussions and workshops, BIGSOUND activates a vast selection of Fortitude Valley venues across its conference and showcase programmes.
VOIID
You can catch showcasing artists at any one of the following 18 venues: The Brightside, Ric's Backyard, The Valley Drive In, The Elephant Hotel, The Foundry, two stages at Woolly Mammoth, 256 Wickham, Black Bear Lodge, Crowbar/Crowbar Black, Empire Hotel, Heya Bar, Laruche, The Flying Cock, The Zoo, Famous Nightclub, Family and Press Club.
And of course, what would BIGSOUND be without their legendary schedule of parties across the four days, including the Official BIGSOUND Welcome Party, Women In Music, Screen And Sound Mash-up Event, Korea Showcase, Adelaide Showcase and to cap it all off, the traditional two-part BIGSOUND Closing Party.
The significance of BIGSOUND cannot be understated, and not just in terms what it achieves for the local scenes and national Australian music industry at-large.
Last year BIGSOUND welcomed over 13,800 attendees, nearly 1,500 delegates, 153 showcasing artists and 192 conference speakers, generating a $2.79 million economic impact for Brisbane.
Don't just be part of something big, be part of BIGSOUND. Whether you're onstage or behind-the-scenes, an old hand or complete newbie, BIGSOUND is where you need to be.
