This year's BIGSOUND music festival, conference and showcase is bigger, better and bolder than ever before. Here's what to check out.
This September 2 to 5, the southern hemisphere’s premier music industry event will be unleashing a wave of gigs, panels, showcases and networking events in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.
With 130 artists, 100 industry speakers, 70 conference sessions and workshops and a whopping 18 stages, there’s a mammoth amount of events to wrap your head – and ears – around. To make the selection a little easier, we’ve put together the top 10 unmissable events at BIGSOUND 2025. Read on to discover which performances, talks and parties to check out at the dynamic showcase and conference next month.
BIGSOUND 2025
- Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
- September 2 to 5
- 130 artists, 100 industry speakers, 18 stages and 70 conference sessions and workshops
- More info here
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Blak Loud Showcase
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- Tuesday, September 2, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
- Brunswick Street Mall Stage
- More info here
Kick off the festivities with a stop by BIGSOUND’s Goolwal Goolwa – a translation of BIGSOUND in the Yuggera language – festival segment. Featuring an array of First Nations artists that span across all genres, styles and sound, Blak Loud Showcase will be raising the microphone to some of the most unique and incredible musicians at the forefront of Australia’s contemporary Blak music scene. Strap in for an afternoon of nonstop mastery.
BIGSOUND River Cruise
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- Tuesday, September 2, 3pm to 5:30pm
- Oasis, New Farm
- More info here
That’s right folks – BIGSOUND’s famed River Cruise is back. This exclusive meander down the Brisbane River is a hot-ticket event that brings together the big names and behind-the-scenes legends of Australia’s music industry. Expect a dash of networking, a splash of drinks and nibbles, and a whole cruise’s worth of stunning views of Brisbane as you float aboard the Oasis cartamaran.
Bad Apples: Briggs in Conversation with Kobie Dee
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- Wednesday, September 3, 9:45am to 10:45am
- The Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley
- Delegates only
- More info here
This delegate-only event should be at the very top of your BIGSOUND bucket list. The unstoppable force that is Yorta Yorta man Adam Briggs will be taking part in a very special conversation with musician and Gomeroi man Kobie Dee for this keynote event. The two powerhouses of Australian music – and Bad Apples Music record label associates – will talk all things local music, Briggs’ expansive career and the upcoming wave of talent sweeping the scene.
Rebel with a Cause: In Conversation with Darcus Beese
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- With Tanya Bunter
- Wednesday, September 3, 1:30pm to 2:15pm
- The Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley
- Delegates only
- More info here
Trailblazer of the global music community Darcus Beese will be joining Triple J’s Tanya Bunter for a keynote conversation not to be missed. The British music executive has been behind some of the most legendary signings in music history – like Amy Winehouse and Sabrina Carpenter – and now heads up his own independent outlet, Darco Artist Partnerships. Make sure you jump on the opportunity to catch one of the influential names in the music business partake in this invigorating conversation.
In Conversation with Blur’s Dave Rowntree
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- With Richard Kingsmill
- Wednesday, September 3, 3:30pm to 4:15pm
- The Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley
- Delegates only
- More info here
The unmissable conversations don’t stop there. Next up, none other than Blur’s very own Dave Rowntree. As a member of one of the bands that were at the forefront of the Britpop era, Dave provides an exclusive look into the music industry – as well as the film, television, animation, politics and law industries. This prolific superstar’s keynote talk will coincide with a photography book that Dave is set to release just days after the event. Fans of music – Blur or otherwise – will be in for a treat with this intimate conversation hosted by radio announcer Richard Kingsmill.
Triple J 50
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- With Lachlan Macara, Claire Mooney and more
- Wednesday, September 3, 3:30pm to 4:15pm
- The Precinct, Fortitude Valley
- Delegates only
- More info here
You can’t have a conversation about Australian music without talking about Triple J. It’s only fitting that the national youth broadcaster is coming to BIGSOUND for a panel conversation that coincides with their 50th birthday. Joined by head of Triple J Lachlan Macara and Triple J’s music director Claire Mooney, this exclusive discussion will look back on the 50 years that have been, the current state of the music scene, and where we – and emerging Australian artists – go from here.
Select Music 20th Birthday Showcase Party
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- Wednesday, September 3, 4pm to 6pm
- The Brightside Outdoors, Fortitude Valley
- More info here
Celebrating Select Music’s birthday, this showcase is a massive musical get-together to mark a whopping two decades of the country’s largest independent booking agency. While the line up is still under-wraps, you can bet your bottom dollar that this night of live acts and DJ sets will deliver exclusive performances that you won’t be able to catch elsewhere on the program.
Return to the Roots: In Conversation with Tash Sultana
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- With Bridget Hustwaite
- Thursday, September 4, 11:45am to 12:30pm
- The Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley
- Delegates only
- More info here
There are few performers more impressive in Australia’s current music landscape than Tash Sultana. The spectacular multi-instrumentalist has been making sound waves in the local and global industries for almost a decade, and they’re not slowing down. This exclusive keynote conversation with radio presenter Bridget Hustwaite will be a reflection on the last 9 years of Tash’s massive career, as well as what’s up next on the horizon for this powerhouse figure.
Oztix Official Bigsound Party
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- With Kisschasy, The Southern River Band, Day we Ran, Headsend, JUNO, Loose Content, Mariae Cassandra and There’s A Tuesday
- Thursday September 4, 3:45pm to 6:35pm
- The Brightside Outdoors, Fortitude Valley
- More info here
If you’re a delegate or artist at BIGSOUND this year, then your plans are set for Thursday afternoon and evening. Hosted by Oztix, this Official Bigsound Party features a round up of some of the most sensational musicians operating in Australia’s scene at the moment. Expect great music, fresh drinks and a whole lot of mingling with music industry personalities.
Official BIGSOUND After Party
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- Thursday, September 4, 10:30pm to 2am
- The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
- More info here
There’s no cherry on top of the BIGSOUND cake quite like the Official After Party. Unfolding in the iconic Tivoli, this extravaganza will be nonstop music, mingling and magic. After a few days of performing and perusing amongst Australia’s newest guard of music talent, this party raises a glass to the future they will lead.
For more information, tickets and the full line up for BIGSOUND, head here.
This article was made in partnership with BIGSOUND.
