Tom Morello headlines BIGSOUND's incredible first round of 2020 keynote presenters, leading a diverse programme of virtual presentations to 're-future a challenged industry with positivity, connection and reality'.
Alongside Tom, BIGSOUND have secured a bounty of respected industry names; from the legendary Kev Carmody, ARIA-award winner Amy Shark, and rising local superstar Tones And I.Rhoda Roberts and Ziggy Ramo will discuss the Indigenous future of the music industry, while Grammy nominee Mumu Fresh will discuss career, community and survival in 2020.
As COVID restrictions continue to make interstate travel impossible, BIGSOUND earlier this month switched the 2020 event to a free, virtual showcase that will take place 21-22 October. Free digital registrations are open.
Although Tom needs no introduction, his resume is still super-cool to marvel at: Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets Of Rage, the Nightwatchman; and that's really only the tip of the iceberg.
Morello's presentation will explore his life as a musician and activist. "Join me at BIGSOUND to talk music, activism, and how the guitar can be a divining rod for truth and justice," Morello says.
"The world is at a dangerous crossroads and it's time to feed the poor, fight the power, and rock the f... out."
BIGSOUND Creative Director Janne Scott: "Very few artists radiate and live their purpose the way that Tom Morello does, his power, conviction and guitar shredding sound is like no other.
"This keynote is a personal dream of mine and an absolute privilege for BIGSOUND to present, delivered at a time when we could all use a little Morello magic."
Other keynote presenters include culinary crusader Nat's What I Reckon will present an exclusive BIGSOUND cooking show. I OH YOU's Johann Ponniah will also zoom by.
Nat's What I Reckon
Globally respected tour and production manager and founder of CrewCare Australia, Howard Freeman (Big Day Out, INXS, AC/DC, Eminem, Neil Young, Prince, Rolling Stones) will host a poignant session exploring the hard realities of life on the road and creating a culture of help-seeking.
With 2,000-plus already registered to attend BIGSOUND 2020, the virtual space will enable BIGSOUND to reach and connect with more people than ever before.
"BIGSOUND has been the meeting place of the music community for nearly two decades and the determination for this event to not only go ahead, but to thrive in a virtual environment is essential for our industry," QMusic CEO Angela Samut says.
"BIGSOUND has been a leader for years in looking to future business models, mental health and a place of fairness and justice for First Nations peoples working in the music industry as well as giving tomorrow's Australian icons a platform to learn and be discovered.
"Never have these things been more important. Never has BIGSOUND been more important."
BIGSOUND will reveal its second announcement of speakers and the inaugural BIGSOUND 50 (where programmers select 50 of the most outstanding and impressive artists from this year's application process) at the end of September. Stay tuned.
"BIGSOUND 2020 is the perfect opportunity for the music community to come together and take stock of where we find ourselves both nationally and globally after the last six tumultuous months," Conference Programmer Tom Larkin says.
"Featuring some of the most prolific keynotes we have ever programmed, the conference itself will lead conversations around future facing concepts that are brave, nuanced and shine a light towards recovering a more sustainable industry."
BIGSOUND 2020 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Tom MorelloKev Carmody
Tones And I
Amy Shark
Nat's What I Reckon
Howard Freeman
Rhoda Roberts
Ziggy Ramo
Mumu Fresh
Johann Ponniah
