So it’s good news that 20 global and Australian A&R executives are among those winging their way to Brisbane for the 2015 event in September.
Among them are RCA Records’ Senior Director of A&R Tunji Balogun, Talya Elitzer of Capitol Music Group, Harvest/Universal’s General Manager Jacqueline Sutton, Goldenvoice/Coachella’s senior VP of talent buying Lesley Olenik Golindo, A&R of Beggars Music Publishing Amy Morgan and A&R for Nettwerk Music Group Rachel Cragg.
Overseas bookers and management scouting for talent include Avery McTaggart and Marshall Betts of The Windish Agency, Meredith Fraser of Panache Booking, Ashanti Abdullah of Rhymesayers Entertainment. Sat Bisla of A&R Worldwide, Eric Barleen of Another Planet Entertainment, Josh Moore of Bowery Presents, Alex Maxwell of Troubadour and Robin McNicol of Superfly, all from the USA. There’s also Paul Buck of the UK’s Coda Agency, Justin Sweeting of Hong Kong’s WME/Clockenflap and Singapore’s Melissa Yong – Other Sounds/Village Sounds.
Australian executives announced include Guy Blackman and Ben O’Connor of Chapter Music, Julia Wilson of Rice Is Nice and Lorrae McKenna of Remote Control Records.
“International interest in Big Sound this year has confirmed something that we already knew; that it’s one of the world’s most exciting A&R markets”, said event programmer Nick O’Byrne. “The incredible success of Australian artists overseas combined with the strength, depth and quality of our local music communities mean that some of the world’s most influential labels, publishers, bookers and agents are now making it part of their annual calendar.”
Two keynote speakers have also been unveiled. Peter Garrett makes his first major music industry appearance since he departed Parliament after serving as Federal Arts Minister. Rapper and activist Brother Ali who recently addressed the Nobel Peace Prize Forum will draw on his background as the albino child of white Muslim parents in mid-western America on his involvement in hip hop culture.
Applications to play at this year’s event will close on Friday May 15 with the first lineup of artists announced in early June.
Big Sound is held in Fortitude Valley in September. Early bird tickets are capped at 100 this year from $350 for three days of panels, discussions and industry seminars and two nights of 140 bands across 14 of the hottest indoor and outdoor live music spaces. Stage and Screen is the event’s official travel partner dealing with flights and accommodation.
