As BIGSOUND enters its 18th year, the role of Australia's biggest music conference in discovering new music and strengthening the industry has never been more important.
Between its curated conference programme and bustling showcase of live performances, BIGSOUND has become an essential agent in the bond between the creative and business sides of the Australian music industry.
“It is so important for the music industry as a whole to come together each year and have conversations about the current issues facing the global music industry,” QMusic CEO Angela Samut says.
“Conversations we have around such things as technology and how people consume music will help us be better informed, more resilient, ready to change and to adapt.”
The Chats at 2018 BIGSOUND - image supplied
Preparedness for change and the necessity to adapt remain chief concerns in an industry undergoing constant, often tumultuous, shifts in trends and how content is accessed. In responding to the need for more agile participants, BIGSOUND in 2019 shifts the weight of its focus onto empowering artists as business entities in their own right.
“This year's theme for BIGSOUND is 'The Artist As CEO' and this essentially promotes the need for entrepreneurship in the music industry. The combination of entrepreneurship and creativity are the foundations for growth in our music industry,” Angela says.
“BIGSOUND is a globally-focussed conference and new music festival, and opens up our local industry to a global network of speakers, buyers and agents and therefore increases export opportunities and partnerships. It also inspires local audiences to discover and support new, contemporary popular music and new experiences.”
Click here to read the complete speaker programme as well as the 150 bands who’ll showcase at 2019 BIGSOUND.
Angela has joined QMusic as CEO this year, returning to her home town of Brisbane after having worked in various publicity and promotions for major ventures such as Paramount Pictures, Network 10 and Festival Mushroom Records. Angela was also the Communications and Marketing Manager for Screen Queensland (prior to joining QMusic) during a period of strong growth for the organisation.
Under Angela's steady hand, BIGSOUND is expected to continue its growth as an integral conduit between Australian creatives and the rest of the world and, in her own words, become “the secret weapon for Brisbane to grow as an innovation city.
“We make no secrets that we will continue to build BIGSOUND and make it one of the pre-eminent music conferences and new music festivals in the southern hemisphere, and a firm fixture on the global music calendar,” Angela says.
QMusic CEO Angela Samut
“We are looking to increase our footprint in the Fortitude Valley Special Entertainment Precinct and grow our visual arts footprint. This year we are so excited to have the Brisbane City Council come onboard as a major partner and who are supporting our arts activation of the Valley.”
With great growth comes equal responsibility on BIGSOUND to provide a conference experience that adequately reflects the challenges and realities facing both artists and industry professionals.
“Our goal is to assist in evolving our industry to be progressive, aware and to have a positive impact in the modern age,” Angela says.
VOIID at 2018 BIGSOUND - image supplied
“It makes us think about who our audience is, and what is important for our audience. We cover the topics and trends that are being faced by the global music industry including diversity, education, mental health, the environment, current affairs.”
