BIGSOUND Is Going Virtual For 2020 - Here's How It'll Work
BIGSOUND has waved goodbye to the sights, sounds and smells of Brisbane's Fortitude Valley for 2020 to head online for its first-ever 100% virtual event. Here's what you need to know ahead of next week's event.
Hey, I'm new here. What's a BIGSOUND?
Hello there, young traveller. BIGSOUND is a much-loved annual music industry conference that is usually held in early September in Brisbane across three days and four nights. There's keynote addresses, workshops and seminars throughout the day, while at night there are parties, networking opportunities and showcases from emerging artists and sometimes even industry heavyweights too (like that time Paul Kelly showed up for a surprise set).
Why is it important?
BIGSOUND is the chance to learn about important topics, get ahead of emerging trends and also fill that little knowledge gap you've always had (looking at you, blockchain technology!). You also get a chance to catch up with the people you catch with over email each day and also get to see the best and upcoming acts before anyone else does! It's helped break some big names in music too; acts like Flume, Courtney Barnett, Gang Of Youths, Violent Soho and more have all performed at BIGSOUND early in their careers.
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What does BIGSOUND look like in 2020?
While we'll be heading online for BIGSOUND 2020, the format will mostly stay the same. On Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October, the BIGSOUND website will be home to this year's conference program with live streaming conferences happening throughout the day. Parties and showcases are set to return this year too and BIGSOUND have also launched a new way to celebrate up-and-coming artists, dubbed The BIGSOUND50.
Who's speaking at the conference?
BIGSOUND are not holding back this year - they've secured some of the biggest names in music to appear at the conference. Tom Morello is set to deliver a keynote address, as are Kev Carmody and Amy Shark. Tones & I, Nat's What I Reckon, Lou Bennett, Johann Ponniah, Ecca Vandal, Mardi Caught, Nick DiDia, Ziggy Ramo, Joji Malani and stacks more are locked in too. In some sessions the speaker will also be answering questions in the live chat so make sure you keep an eye on that too.
Check out the full list below.
BIGSOUND 2020 Speakers
Ade Vincent
Alethea Beetson
Alex Taggart
Allira Potter
Amber Horsburgh
Amy Shark
Andy Sloan-Vincent
Anna Laverty
Anthony Zaccaria
Barkaa
Berish Bilander
Brett Nossiter
Busty Beatz
Charlotte Abroms
Chris Stevens
Dameeeela
David McLeod
Dean Hampson
Diana Tolmie
Dizzy Doolan
Dyana Kass
Ecca Vandal
Emily Ulman
Emily Williams
Emma Bosworth
Fred Leone
Genneah Turner
Gina Williams
Glen Hodges
Gordi
Grace Pashley
Greg Carey
Guy Morrow
Hannah Bronte
Howard Freeman
Ian 'Esky' Escandor
Jadey O'Regan
Jane Slingo
Jeremy Dutcher
Johann Ponniah
John Zucco
Joji Malani
Julian McGruther
Kev Carmody
Kira Puru
Kwame
L-FRESH The LION
Leanne Kemp
Linda Marigliano
Lou Bennett
Lydia Fairhall
Mardi Caught
Matt Bird
Mick Gordon
Mo'Ju
Mumu Fresh
Nardine Gharsa
Nat Dunn
Nat's What I Reckon
Nick DiDia
Nick Findlay
Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau
Ollie Wards
Paige X. Cho
Regan Lethbridge
Rhianna Patrick
Rhoda Roberts
Sandra Phillips
Sasha Ponomareva
Sean Foran
Sosefina Fuamoli
Steph Liong
Stephen Green
Thomas E.S. Kelly
Tim Urban
Tom Morello
Tones And I
Viliame Cokanauto
Vivien Fantin
Ziggy Ramo
And what's this The BIGSOUND50 business?
This year sees the introduction of The BIGSOUND50 list, a program that highlights 50 emerging artists and connect them with industry mentors, provide meeting opportunities and more.
“From The BIGSOUND50 to the conference conversations, First Nations voices are prevalent across the entire event as we hold valued perspectives on re-futuring the music industry,” explained First Nations Programmer Alethea Beetson recently. “Working alongside the festival programmers to curate The BIGSOUND50 list has led to an even stronger representation of Indigenous artists than ever before at BIGSOUND. This is supported by a First Nations program and a number of decolonial conversations within the wider conference schedule offering solutions to the issues faced by the music industry in 2020.”
See the full list below.
The BIGSOUND50
Adam Newling
Aodhan
ASHWARYA
Bad/Love
Beans
Beddy Rays
BIRDZ
Boox Kid
Bow and Arrow
CLOE TERARE
colourblind
Dallas Woods
Death By Denim
Debbies
DOBBY
Eastbound Buzz
Harper Bloom
Hauskey
Hayley Marsten
J-MILLA
Jaguar Jonze
Jerome Farah
Jess Day
JK-47
Jordan Dennis
Kee'ahn
KYE
L-FRESH The LION
Lydia Fairhall and The She
Oaks
Matalja
Memphis LK
Middle Name Dance Band
Ms Thandi
Nerve Damage
No Money Enterprise
Noah Dillon
Oetha
Order Sixty6
River Boy
Shannen James
SOPHIYA
Southeast Desert Metal
Squid Nebula
Sycco
The Dreggs
The Merindas
The Yorke Band
We Set Signals
Yawdoesitall
Yirgjhilya
How much is a ticket?
In a total champion move, tickets to this year's event are free!
That's my favourite price! Where can I grab one?
Just head over here and sign yourself up as a delegate.
But what if I want to do some networking?
Don't worry, BIGSOUND have thought of that too. Once you've secured your place, spend some time setting up your delegate profile and then have a look around at the delegate's portal to find other connections. You can then ask to 'Connect' and then start chatting from there.
Three parties are set to take place over the week too - all happening over Zoom - so make sure you register for them as well.
What time is it all happening?
BIGSOUND 2020 kicks off from 9am on Wednesday next week, with keynote address 100% BLAK: The Indigenous Future Of The Music Industry and will close with the BIGSOUND First Nations House Dreaming Loud Showcase on Thursday night from 8pm.
Check out the schedule here.
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