Ten Things That Got BIGSOUND Buzzing In 2016

Playlists are the new black

In recent years we've seen the industry come together at BIGSOUND to discuss how to adapt to the disruptions to their business: the rise of digital sales vs the fall in physical, syncing deals, streaming and so forth. This year it was all about the playlist. One person was heard to joke that playlists are so important to breaking music that record companies are trying to figure out how to schmooze algorithms. 

Ecca Is Everywhere

In a business that turns over talent faster than King Gizzard drop new albums, it is highly unusual to see a one-time buzz act re-buzz again. But two years after Ecca Vandal was a name every A&R person was dropping, she has managed to blow up again. Everywhere you turned, Vandal was there — always impeccably dressed (that yellow tartan outfit was very Johnny Rotten) — and she pulled off sets that were nothing short of explosive. Vandal has found her voice and BIGSOUND definitely heard it this time.

The Unearthed Stage Is 'It'

This year the Unearthed stage (at Oh Hello) cemented itself as THE place to be. It was always crammed with industry types chasing the buzz acts and it was also where the crowds rammed in. Wednesday's back-to-back sets by Tash Sultana and Alex Lahey were completely off-tap (there were punters on shoulders at one point). Then Thursday's back-to-back gigs by Good Boy and Middle Kids made it almost impossible to get in the venue.

Sampa Really Is Great

Speaking of Thursday night at Oh Hello… Sydney's Sampa The Great pulled in a giant crowd to witness her 'I've arrived' performance. Jaws were hitting the ground around the room and it's no surprise to hear comparisons to Erykah Badu being bandied about since.

The Opening Party Is A Great Place To Drop News

While the opening function is a relatively sedate and semi-formal affair it was certainly the place to drop news that you wanted to get out. Both Virgin's new baggage deal for touring artists and BIGSOUND's own funding news were casually mentioned at the launch party and went on to become two of the most discussed topics of the conference.

You're The Voices

Two Melbourne acts left our team floored by their BIGSOUND performances. Alice Ivy's cover of Sweet Dreams left us in no doubt of her vocal talent while her arrangements and prowess on guitar and gadgets left us feeling she'd just out-Avalanched The Avalanches. And, while Ryan Downey may not have drawn the conference's biggest crowd, those who were there haven't stopped banging on about him ever since. Not only are we declaring him "The Voice Of BIGSOUND 2016" but we think we can safely also declare him "The Whistler Of BIGSOUND 2016".

Think you don't know Downey's work, think again:

The Big Music Fizz On TV

As the ratings continue to plummet for The Big Music Quiz (down another 100,000 this week), it seems interest in seeing live music on Aus TV is not. A panel discussing the topic got people talking but for all the wrong reasons… the future of live music on TV is bleak. One positive outcome though, Jim Pitt, booker for Conan O'Brien's US talk show, was mulling over booking King Gizz to play on his program.

Get On the 'Truck Wagon

Sydney's Flowertruck more-than-impressed with their throwback new wave sounds and the frontman's no-shame performance. So much so visiting US record company head honcho Jon Salter (ATO) left our shores singing their praises. Salter was even comparing them to Talking Heads.

Cheese burger spring rolls

Okay, so maybe it was just us… but how good was the food at Heya? [It was also the place where Rainbow Chan brought the house down when she performed Work.]

Did We mention Middle Kids?​

Going into BIGSOUND all eyes were on Sydney's Middle Kids. Going out of BIGSOUND all tongues were wagging about Middle Kids. They lived up to the hype and everyone wants a piece of them. No one could rival them on the chatter front but you can bet there's gonna be a big announce for Bendigo band Fountaineer coming out of the conference as well.

Also buzzing post-BIGSOUND: Ceres, Columbus, The Belligerents (that recorder solo!!!), AB Original, Olympia, Hideous Sun Demon, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Buoy, Tkay Maidza (again), Jarrow, Gordi, Gawurra, Gabriella Cohen and The Gooch Palms.