If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that BIGSOUND, one of Australia’s most prestigious annual music industry conferences, has just been growing each year and judging by the speaker lineup for BIGSOUND 2015, this year could be the biggest yet.
Topping off the roster is former Federal Arts Minister, activist, and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, who in his first major music industry appearance since leaving federal parliament, will deliver a keynote address outlining his thoughts on the music industry, public policy, and his career.
For the second keynote, organisers have tapped critically acclaimed rapper and activist Brother Ali, who will deliver his first Australian speech after recent keynotes at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Princeton University. His speech will reflect on his unique experience as a white albino rapper and Muslim convert from the mid-West.
BIGSOUND 2015 will also welcomes a wealth of A&R talent, including RCA Records’ Senior Director of A&R Tunji Balogun (Kendrick Lamar, Diddy), Harvest/Universal’s General Manager Jacqueline Sutton (TV On the Radio, Morrissey), and Goldenvoice/Coachella’s senior VP of talent buying Lesley Olenik Golindo.
Also in attendance will be A&R of Beggars Music Publishing Amy Morgan (Glass Animals, Cat Power), A&R for Nettwerk Music Group Rachel Cragg (Father John Misty, Stereophonics) and many more. Readers can check below for the full initial speaker lineup.
“International interest in BIGSOUND this year has confirmed something that we already knew; that it’s one of the world’s most exciting A&R markets”, said BIGSOUND 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.”
As always, BIGSOUND is promising a dynamic music lineup, which in the past has served as the breeding ground for some of the hottest Australian acts today, including the likes of Courtney Barnett, Flume, Seth Sentry, Sheppard, The Jezabels, The Naked and Famous, and The Temper Trap.
Applications to play at this year’s event will close on 15th May, with the first lineup of artists announced in early June, ahead of a September launch. This year’s event will take over Queensland’s Fortitude Valley from 9th-11th September.
Early bird tickets will be capped at 100 this year and start from as low as $350 for three days of panels, discussions, and industry seminars, as well as two nights packed with performances from 140 bands across 14 of the hottest indoor and outdoor live music spaces.
The limited allocation of early-bird tickets sold out fast when they hit sale earlier this year. Organisers have since released another 50, with prices set to rise when they are sold out or on 15th May, whichever comes first. To apply to play at BIGSOUND 2015 or to purchase early bird tickets or accommodation, visit the BIGSOUND website.
BIGSOUND 2015 Industry Speakers / Buyers Lineup
Peter Garrett – Keynote (AUS)
Brother Ali – Keynote (USA)
Ashanti Abdullah – Rhymesayers Entertainment (USA)
Alex Maxwell – Troubadour (USA)
Amy Morgan – Beggars Publishing / Glass Animals (UK)
Avery McTaggart – The Windish Agency (USA)
Ben Munro – Hostess (JPN)
Ben O’Connor – Chapter Music (AUS)
Eric Barleen – Another Planet Entertainment (USA)
Guy Blackman – Chapter Music (AUS)
Jacob Daneman – Pitch Perfect PR (USA)
Jacqueline Saturn – Harvest Records (USA)
Josh Moore – Bowery Presents (USA)
Julia Wilson – Rice is Nice (AUS)
Justin Sweeting – WME / Clockenflap (HK)
Laura Snapes – Freelance Writer (UK)
Lesley Olenik Golindo – Goldenvoice (USA)
Lio Kanine – Kanine Records (USA)
Lorrae McKenna – Remote Control Records (AUS)
Marshall Betts – The Windish Agency (USA)
Meg Helsel – Grandstand Media (USA)
Melissa Yong – Other Sounds / Village Sounds (SGP)
Meredith Fraser – Panache Booking (USA)
Paul Buck – Coda Agency (UK)
Phil Waldorf – Secretly Group (USA)
Rachel Cragg – Nettwerk Music Group (USA)
Robin McNicol – Superfly (USA)
Sat Bisla – A&R Worldwide (USA)
Talya Elitzer – Capitol Music Group (USA)
Tunji Balogun – RCA Records (USA)
Wednesday 9th – Friday, 11th September 2015
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane QLD
Tickets: BIGSOUND.
