BIGSOUND 2017 Unveils Expanded Dates & Massive $100k Levi's Prize Deal

Yearly industry conference and showcase mecca BIGSOUND has unveiled expanded dates for 2017 alongside a new deal with Levi's that will see the event award $100,000 in prizemoney annually for at least the next three years.

The Levi's Music Prize is the culmination of several years' collaborative effort on the part of the clothier and state body QMusic, as well as the ever-crucial Sounds Australia. An initial award of $25,000 will be bestowed on a lucky act on BIGSOUND's final day before being opened up to artists who have previously played the event in the past five years for a stab at one of three additional $25,000 prizes over the ensuing three-quarters of a year.

QMusic Executive Officer Joel Edmondson has described the prize — the largest of its kind in Australian history — as "a game-changer for Australian music export".

"It is a major commitment by the Levi's brand to the music sector that has been designed to further enhance the value BIGSOUND can offer our brightest talents to achieve their international goals," Edmondson said in a statement.

"The Levi's Music Prize creates an important new link in the support chain, enabling artists to capitalise on the opportunities created by showcasing in front of over a hundred international industry players at BIGSOUND."

Levi's ANZ marketing manager Nicky Rowsell echoed Edmondson's enthusiasm for the new prize, saying, "I am super proud to be launching the Levi's Music Prize at this year's BIGSOUND. This project has been a few years in the making and is an initial three-year commitment that we plan to build out with additional opportunities for artists over the coming years."

"Music has always been a part of the Levi's brand DNA," Rowsell said. "It therefore made perfect sense for us to create the Levi's Music Prize as a platform to export Australian talent to the world and further give back to the local music community and all that it stands for."

The extra support has not bypassed the attention of Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who enthused of the "unique musical gathering" that it "connects local emerging talent with national and international industry networks and provides important export pathways for artists".

"It is wonderful to see the private sector support the growth of BIGSOUND and increasing opportunities to showcase Queensland's contemporary musicians," she said.

But it's not just the cash prize making this year's BIGSOUND festival, in all regards, bigger than ever, with the event now spanning four days instead of the historic three, taking place in 2017 from 5-8 September in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley precinct.

According to Edmondson, this too was a decision designed to maximise the opportunities for not only artists but delegates and punters to get something worthwhile out of the experience.

"The choice was an easy one, with our focus purely on making sure that artists get the best opportunity possible to get in front of the people that matter," Edmondson said. "We have dozens of internationals flying halfway around the world to see great Australian music and we want to give them the best opportunity to see the acts they want to see in the best possible setting.

"Expanding to an additional night also makes for a far better experience for punters, with extra chances to see their next favourite band."

For artists who are keen to be a part of this year's festivities, applications are open now. Industry tickets are available from today, with early-bird rates in effect until 14 May.

For more information, see BIGSOUND's website.