Australian Independent Records Association [AIR] General Manager Nick O'Byrne will become the Executive Programmer in 2014 after a year of assisting Graham 'Asho' Ashton, who has been re-appointed the role, in 2013.
Earlier this year BIGSOUND announced a search for the next Executive Programmer for the Brisbane conference and showcase, whose 2012 event will be held next week.
Today Nick O'Byrne, who was named 19 in the inaugural AMID Power 50 rankings of influence in the Australian music industry, said that BIGSOUND is the “single best showcase of the depth and breadth of Australian musical talent that exists. It's also the place where our most interesting industry innovators and thinkers can gather and talk at length about the issues and opportunities that confront us. I'm so excited to be working with QMusic as Associate Programmer to help shape, build and grow the event into the future. Australian music is poised to make a sustained and lasting impact on the industry world-wide and I believe BIGSOUND will be at the centre of it.”
Ashton said he was “stoked to be getting one last crack at the BIGSOUND programming gig. There is a very clear picture in my head as to what we can achieve in 2013 and to have someone of the calibre of Nick O'Byrne on the team only makes the process more exciting. I also feel very comfortable that he is right guy to take the reins in 2014 and beyond as the BIGSOUND programmer.”
Moving forward, O'Byrne will continue his work as AIR's GM, a role which includes the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards.
BIGSOUND is run by Queensland's peak music industry body QMusic and its President Julian Knowles said, “BIGSOUND has grown from strength to strength in recent years under the leadership of Graham Ashton and [QMusic Executive Officer] Denise Foley. We're really thrilled to have Nick join us and this marks an exciting new chapter in the event's evolution.”
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Foley added, “The challenge to make BIGSOUND better every year ultimately comes down to having a great team. Asho has been a fantastic Executive Programmer over the past three years, and for me personally to get to work with him for one more year is a privilege.”
Kicking off Wednesday 12 September, tickets to the BIGSOUND conference have sold out and organizers have added final tickets to BIGSOUND Live showcases. You can also win tickets here.
TheMusic.com.au will be on the ground to cover the event from next week, visit our dedicated mini-sites for BIGSOUND and BIGSOUND Live.
