The 100 per cent virtual and 100 per cent free, online BIGSOUND 2020 programme is here, with The BIGSOUND 50 list revealed as well as a slew of key discussion panels and Indigenous conversations.
Wait But Why's co-founder, and artificial intelligence and creativity thought leader Tim Urban will also present a keynote, providing an insightful presentation on creative thought.Tim joins the previously announced keynote presentations from Tom Morello, Kev Carmody, Tones And I, Amy Shark, Nat's What I Reckon and more.
The BIGSOUND50 selection includes Beddy Rays, BIRDZ, Dallas Woods, The Dreggs, Jaguar Jonze, L-FRESH The LION, Memphis LK, The Merindas, Noah Dillon, Shannen James, Southeast Desert Metal and Sycco. See below for the full list of artists.
Aside from receiving coverage across BIGSOUND platforms, the BIGSOUND 50 acts will also access mentoring, online meetings and opportunities with delegates to further their careers.
"When it became obvious that we wouldn't be able to do anything physical this year, we came up with a whole new way of showcasing our BIGSOUND artists in 2020," co-programmer Dom Miller says.
"The BIGSOUND50 are the 50 artists BIGSOUND believes the world should be paying attention to in 2020 and beyond."
Co-programmer Ruby-Jean McCabe adds: "It was a massive undertaking to narrow down all of the incredible applications to 50, but we have managed to pick a group of talented and inspiring artists that we know will all become household names.
"We've discovered some of our new favourite artists through this process, and we can't wait to showcase what’s next for The BIGSOUND50."
Indigenous voices are a focus of 2020 BIGSOUND across the entire programme. "From The BIGSOUND50 to the conference conversations, First Nations voices are prevalent across the entire event as we hold valued perspectives on re-futuring the music industry," First Nations Programmer Alethea Beetson says.
"Working alongside the festival programmers to curate The BIGSOUND50 list has led to an even stronger representation of Indigenous artists than ever before at BIGSOUND.
"This is supported by a First Nations programme and a number of decolonial conversations within the wider conference schedule offering solutions to the issues faced by the music industry in 2020."
'Pay The Rent' will explore the use of Indigenous quotas across radio, festivals, and streaming as an agent for change, While 'Beyond the Bla(c)k Tile' will be an honest discussion between people of colour and the music sector featuring Dameeeela, Busty Beatz and more.
L-FRESH The LION will present 'Putting Down The Master Tools', a session focused on alternative pathways and unpacking different models for artists and sustainability in music beyond the mainstream Western music system.
'United Nations of The Music Industry Sh*tshow' will feature industry leaders from around the world sharing thoughts and opinions on how to recover from COVID-19 in their markets.
Given the influx of online content since we've all being stuck at home, 'The Future of Event Streaming' panel will discuss the future of online events and licensing.
We've all been affected in one way or another with COVID; Ecca Vandal, Mo'Ju, and Kira Puru will lead an honest and personal roundtable discussion on how their lives and livelihoods have changed in 2020.
Artists Dr Lou Bennett, Gina Williams, Jeremy Dutcher and Thomas E.S. Kelly will tackle the importance of storytelling and culture in and through music with 'Cultural Resurgence'.
For the tech heads, Dr Guy Morrow will present a special talk around technology platforms and music, breaking down extended reality case studies of Bjork's VR album 'Vulnicura' and Florida-based company Magic Leap's work with Sigur Rós.
Mental well-being industry advocates, Support Act will provide valuable pathways for various mental health challenges, while workshops on Facebook marketing, Spotify streaming, change management, and financial crisis management will give the practical advice and strategies needed by a community ready to face 2021.
BIGSOUND 2020 takes place virtually 21-22 October.
The BIGSOUND 50
Adam NewlingAodhan
ASHWARYA
Bad/Love
Beans
Beddy Rays
BIRDZ
Boox Kid
Bow and Arrow
CLOE TERARE
colourblind
Dallas Woods
Death By Denim
Debbies
DOBBY
Eastbound Buzz
Harper Bloom
Hauskey
Hayley Marsten
J-MILLA
Jaguar Jonze
Jerome Farah
Jess Day
JK-47
Jordan Dennis
Kee'ahn
KYE
L-FRESH The LION
Lydia Fairhall and The She Oaks
Matalja
Memphis LK
Middle Name Dance Band
Ms. Thandi
Nerve Damage
No Money Enterprise
Noah Dillon
Oetha
Order Sixty6
River Boy
Shannen James
SOPHIYA
Southeast Desert Metal
Squid Nebula
Sycco
The Dreggs
The Merindas
The Yorke Band
We Set Signals
Yawdoesitall
Yirgjhilya
