Celebrating its 21st year, BIGSOUND returns to Meanjin Brisbane this week with more than 180 artists performing over three nights at 21 venues in the city. Some of the country's best emerging artists, including Tasman Keith, Budjerah, flowerkid, Hope D, Mia Wray, Teenage Joans and The Terrys, are part of the line-up set to run from September 6 to 9.
Commencing with a smoking ceremony, digeridoo player and elders welcoming all to country this is the land of the Turrbal People. The Tribe comprises direct descendants of the original owners and custodians of Brisbane. These bloodlines link Turrbal peoples’ past, present and future to one another, with traditional customs and laws intact. The beautiful ancestral homelands of the Turrbal Tribe stretch north from Elimbah Creek, south to the Logan River, and inland as far as Moggill.
BIGSOUND 2022 acknowledged the guidance of Uncle Kev Starkey, who had joined BIGSOUND as Elder in Residence. Uncle Kev is a Adnyamathanha and Torres Strait Islander man who has been involved in the music industry for three decades. He is nationally recognised for his work as a musician, and founder of Darkwood Studio RLS and First Nations Cultural Services and Consultancy.
3KND were there for the Indigenous Opening event where it was a celebration of culture, song and dance.
A BIGSOUND spokeswoman said more than 1,300 applications were received, prompting organisers to add 38 more acts than the last live event in 2019. "Artists will play to hundreds of labels, publishers, agents, festival programmers, publicists and industry delegates all on the lookout for the next big thing," she said.
Brisbane locals Hallie, Jem Cassar-Daley, Concrete Surfers and VOIID also feature on the bill.
New program addition BIGSOUND Country will showcase The Buckleys, Darlinghurst, Andrew Swift, Hinterland, Loren Ryan, Melanie Dyer, Taylor Moss and The Wolfe Brothers, while its international component welcomes New Zealand artists JessB, Soaked Oats, Troy Kingi, TE KAAHU, Church & AP, MELODOWNZ and Jenny Mitchell. "Wow, what a ride! After spending a month reading and listening to a record number of applications, we are certain that the future of music is in safe hands," festival programmers Ruby-Jean McCabe and Dominic Miller said.
BIGSOUND acknowledges the many Traditional Custodian groups all across what is now referred to as Australia. We pay our respect to all elders: past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge the important role that music has played and continues to play on these lands since the very first sunrise.