The BIGSOUND conference is Australia's premier annual gathering of music industry minds from around the world.
Returning to its spiritual home at the Judith Wright Arts Centre in 2023, the BIGSOUND conference boasts an expansive programme of keynote presentations, panel discussions, professional development workshops and featured speakers. In its 22nd year, the BIGSOUND conference brings focus to securing the future of the Australian music industry by bolstering international networks and creating new pathways for the next generation of artists.
Keynote presentations kick off with an in-depth discussion between Linkin Park co-founder and frontman Mike Shinoda and editor-in-chief for The Brag Media, Poppy Reid, who'll sit-down for a wide-ranging chat about Mike's storied contributions as a member of Linkin Park, his philanthropy work and the power of words.
Christine Anu and Ziggy Ramo meet for a keynote in-conversation session exploring cultural identity in music. Christine and Ziggy are two of Australia's most recognisable and important performers, each fiercely proud of their Torres Strait and Solomon Islander heritage, respectively, and its connection to their creative work.
Both award-winning artists, Christine utilises her platform as one of Australia's most popular recording artists to promote a message of unity and hope; Ziggy's artistry challenges the settler colonialism and institutional racism upon which Australia was built. Together, these two possess a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with the BIGSOUND audience.
Singer-songwriter and producer Sophie Payten aka Gordi joins the CEO of Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council For The Arts) Adrian Collette AM for an incisive keynote exploring the scope and influence of the newly established Music Australia. The two will question each other about Music Australia's objectives, how it will operate, what support it can provide early-to-mid career artists and the community benefits of strengthening the music industry's relationship with the Federal Government.
BIGSOUND's 2023 series of panel discussions dig deep into the issues pertinent to the ongoing prosperity of the Australian music industry in the modern age. For anyone interested in starting their music industry career, 'Securing The Next Generation Of Music Professionals' is not to be missed. As Live Nation and The Push launch their Music Industry Mentoring Program, this panel – convened by The Push Manager, Education and Training Aarti Desai and Lemon Tree Music co-founder David Morgan – will engage a range of industry leaders and experts on how to help develop capable, confident and experienced music professionals.
With TikTok gaining dominance as a valuable marketing tool for artists, 'Digital Marketing In The TikTok Era' is a must-see panel discussion led by Flight House CEO Ash Stahl and Chugg Music CEO and City Pop Records Co-Founder Andrew Stone. Learn how to harness the platform's immense power from a panel of industry and TikTok experts. Breaking into the lucrative US market is the proverbial white whale for many Australian artists. Dom Alessio will navigate the Atlantic connection in his 'Export USA' panel discussion with a curated selection of experts.
At the BIGSOUND workshops, attendees can expand their skillset with a wide range of professional development opportunities, from modern finance and digital marketing strategies to inclusivity and diversity training. There's no denying Spotify's overwhelming presence as a music streaming giant. Gain insider knowledge about how the platform can help artists connect and engage with audiences in 'Spotify For Artists Masterclass: The Modern Artist's Toolkit' with Artist & Label Partnerships Manager, Spotify AUNZ Alyce Wearne.
Discover how accounting in the music industry has changed over the past 20 years and stop by the 'Add It Up: A Financial Journey In Music' workshop, presented by White Sky, to view the life cycle of an Australian artist through the lens of accounting and financial management. While by participating in the 'MATE: Bystander Training' workshop, you'll be empowered to play a pivotal role in preventing violence in the music industry.
Alongside the keynotes, panels and workshops, BIGSOUND 2023 also hosts featured speakers on a broad range of subjects, including FUGA President Christiaan Kröner, Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone, Casey O'Shaughnessy (Senior Booking Agent, Select Music) and many more.
The BIGSOUND 2023 conference takes place at Judith Wright Arts Centre in Fortitude Valley 5-7 September.
