As Australia’s biggest and most important gathering of the music industry BIGSOUND has become an integral part of the local music calendar.
Touted by some as our answer to Austin’s SWSW this Brisbane event brings together every single component that makes up the fabric of the Australian music scene. Fans, musicians, managers, publicists, media and experts all congregate within the music hive of Fortitude Valley.
Over three days each September since 2001 this twelve-year-old QMusic event has become the country’s key event to discuss the challenges and trends facing the music industry, while also sampling some of our very own up and coming artists.
But it isn’t all local. Speakers are acquired from around the world to give this event an international perspective.
While much of the BIGSOUND’s various showcases, speakers and gigs are located at the Judith Right Centre For Contemporary Arts there are many events spread throughout Fortitude Valley. Gigs are held not just in the venues that are located within the entertainment hub, but also outdoors in the valley.
BIGSOUND is widely regarded as an industry event but for locals in Brisbane it is an opportunity to see a selection of over 80 acts perform over two nights.
Past performers have included the likes of Cloud Control, DZ Deathrays, The Jezabels, The Naked And Famous, The Temper Trap, Last Dinosaurs, Stonefield and many more.
The conference also has a venerable history of booking respected music industry players such as Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury/The Great Escape), Ben Swank (Third Man Records), Michael Chugg (Chugg Entertainment) and musicians such as Brian Ritchie from The Violent Femmes and Clare Bowditch.
While BIGSOUND may not be as big as SXSW the conference is as important to the local music industry as SXSW is to Austin.
Lineup
English singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg, crowd fund extraordinaire Amanda Palmer and country favourite Kasey Chambers will all fill the roles of keynote speakers in 2013.
Among the mammoth list of over 80 acts playing BIGSOUND Live is folk hero Xavier Rudd, Melbourne rockers Kingswood, the super-sized Melbourne Ska Orchestra and the Sydney via South Africa beatmaker Jonti.
Hard at work on her second album Megan Washington will return to Australia, while Darren Middleton will step out of the shadow of Powderfinger just as Chance Waters will represent local hip-hop for the live events.
The inaugural Music + Design program is topped by the ever prolific Nick Cave, while representatives from Vice, Harpers Bazaar, Australian Fashion Week and V Squared Labs will also feature.
Click the following links for the full list of speakers, live acts and Music + Design program participants.
When Is It?
Australian music will overrun the Queensland capital from the 11th – 13th September 2013.
Where Is It?
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BIGSOUND is held annually in the Brisbane’s famed music hub of Fortitude Valley. All speakers and live acts will be situated throughout different venues and outdoor stages in the area.
How To Get There?
Flights from Adelaide and Melbourne are generally valued at anywhere between $115-$200 while punters leaving from Sydney can expect to pay slightly less. Travellers from Perth should expect to lose almost $300 on a passage to Brisbane.
Once in Brisvegas getting to Fortitude Valley should be relatively pain free depending on where you’re staying. If not within walking distance a taxi could save the trouble of dealing with public transport, however click this link for all the details of the city’s different means of commuting.
Where To Stay?
While there are numerous hostels and hotels to choose within the Queensland capital punters will undoubtedly aim to book accommodation within the Fortitude Valley.
Hostels in the area such as Prince Consort Backpackers and Bunk are two options for those with tighter budgets.
While the hotels such as Emporium Hotel, Limes Hotel, The Miro and Republic Apartments are also places to consider.
How To Get Tickets
There are three pass options for potential BIGSOUND punters.
The Conference pass allows entrance into conference sessions (although this is subject to the venues capacity), access to all Music + Design sessions and entry into the live showcase events. Along with this lunch is included each day, while entry to parties and after parties and a show bag are also provided. This pass is valued at $495 up until August 4th and $650 from thereafter. For members prices are cheaper.
Get your Conference pass here.
The Music + Design pass includes access to the conference and Masterclass program over 10th-11th of September and entry to various design showcases as well as live music showcases on the 11th. Registration for this pass comes at the cost of $295.
Purchase this pass here.
Access to BIGSOUND Live events is valued at $69 for both nights and $45 for one evening. For those who wish to purchase their wristband on the night the price for both nights jumps to $78 and $53 for one.
Get your wristbands here.
Insider Tips & Things You Should Know
The inaugural Music + Design session will bring together representatives from the two creative industries to create a “new environment of music discovery”. The event will enable those who work within the two fields to network, exchange ideas and allow for the creation of business opportunities.
Both ticketing options, which involve conference sessions, have different times for punters to collect their passes. Follow these links for the Conference and Music + Design pass collection times.
BIGSOUND runs with the help of contribution from volunteers. To apply click here.
Little BIGSOUND is a much smaller variation to the main event, which is held in the months prior to the conference. The event is a one-day forum for young people who wish to make a career in the music industry.
For more details head to BIGSOUND’s Official Website: http://www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound/2013/
