After a tumultuous year for everybody, the wider music industry will gather once more and descend on Fortitude Valley in Brisbane this spring for the annual BIGSOUND music conference and showcase.
Set for three days of 'music discovery, connection' and the opportunity for media, A&R, agents, promoters, music supervisors, buyers and more to network, reconnect and impart stories of the past 12 months, BIGSOUND will take place 7-9 September.Together with the industry's leading players, BIGSOUND (the southern hemisphere's biggest music industry gathering) will engage with the big issues of the day, offering direction to successfully navigate a myriad of topics like post-COVID business transition, cultural change, inclusivity and innovation, gender equality and safety.
"Never before has connection for our music community been more important," Angela Samut, QMusic CEO and BIGSOUND Executive Producer, says.
"This year, BIGSOUND will provide the chance for us to collectively grieve the losses the industry has faced over the past year and celebrate the treasure trove of Australasian talent that has been incubating throughout this time.
"Our commitment to rebuilding a stronger, safer, more inclusive industry as we emerge from COVID has never been greater and BIGSOUND is once again stepping up to the plate as the place where people come to discover the future of music and to be part of the future of music."
While the day sessions will tackle the business, well-being and social side of the industry, by night BIGSOUND will again be home to 150 artists showcasing their wares to both the music industry as well as the general public (you never know who you'll end up standing next to at BIGSOUND).
Artist applications are now open – the deadline to submit is 28 May. More information.
The 2021 edition of BIGSOUND will open on Tuesday night with the BIGSOUND Indigenous Showcase and Women in Music event.
"With BIGSOUND back in business, like any workplace, safety of our delegates and patrons is paramount," Angela says. "We need to be more culturally proactive to achieve true inclusivity and safety for all.
"As such, BIGSOUND will soon unveil an innovative, industry-first safety and inclusion programme, led from the front by a Safety Council bringing together BIGSOUND alumni, psychology professionals and technology partners to create a physically and culturally safe environment for patrons.
"We will also be working with members of our Council and wider industry in designing programme content and hope that we can instigate conversations that will offer best practice solutions."
The Levi's® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND returns, with $15K to be awarded in the latest round to three artists selected to showcase at BIGSOUND 2021.
For national and international industry and delegates who cannot physically attend BIGSOUND, digital doors will be open for business.
