Music industry conference BIGSOUND has shown all its cards with today's announcement of the final speakers for 2013 as well as the unveiling of the festival program.
The new additions are headlined by an exclusive keynote interview session and performance from the man Rolling Stone once dubbed Australia's most important voice, Gurrumul.
Appearing alongside his friends (and Australian of the Year nominees), Skinnyfish Music's Mark Grose and Michael Honhen, the session will explore the culture and the business decisions that led to a blind Indigenous prodigy making the leap from remote Echo Island to performing at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations (and achieving a couple of multi-platinum albums along the way).
Over fifty new conference speakers have been unveiled, including Kobalt managing director Paul Hitchman (UK), Folk Alliance executive director Louis Meyers (US), Sony/ATV A&R Jacob Fain (US), and Four Artists booking agent Henning Ahrens (GER).
triple j have also announced the winners of their Unearthed competition today, with MTNS and Major Leagues set to take to the stage at BIGSOUND.
Gurrumul will join fellow keynote speakers Billy Bragg, Amanda Palmer, Kasey Chambers, Regurgitator, John Watson (Eleven Music) and Simon Raymonde (Bella Union), as well as BIGSOUND Music+Design's recently announced keynote speakers, Nick Cave (live via satellite), Vello Virkhaus (V-Squared Labs) and John Warwicker (Tomato).
With the full festival program now available at bigsound.org.au, punters can now plan their schedule across all twelve venues. There are a few surprises in the schedule, including previously unannounced bands Mama Kin, Mitzi, Adalita, The Trouble With Templeton and more.
"There are only five weeks to go until we all get together in Fortitude Valley," said BIGSOUND executive programmer Graham Ashton. "I couldn't be more excited about the lineup of artists and industry that we have to share with you. The music and conference programs have come together better than we ever could have hoped!"
