BIGSOUND UNVEILS DEDICATED IDEAS & INNOVATION HUB
NEW TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION STREAMS LAUNCH WITH PARTNERS CAST (CENTRE FOR ARTS, SPORTS AND TECHNOLOGY) AND AMPLIFY MUSIC EDUCATION
EMMY AWARD WINNING COMPOSER & MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST LUCAS CANTOR SANTIAGO CONFIRMED AS HUB'S FIRST INDUSTRY GUEST
DELEGATE PORTAL NOW AVAILABLE
- BIGSOUND reveals its dedicated conference space where music industry, educators, technology and government can come together to explore new ideas, tools and conversations shaping the future of Australian music.
- The BIGSOUND Ideas & Innovation Hub is partnering with CAST (Centre for Arts, Sports and Technology) to program the Technology Stream: featuring speakers and discussions that explore the impact of technology on the music industry.
- The BIGSOUND Ideas & Innovation Hub is also partnering with the team at AMPLIFY Music Education to program the Education Stream: the first ever dedicated stream of its kind within the conference.
- EMMY AWARD winning composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, investor and author LUCAS CANTOR SANTIAGO confirmed as first guest in the Technology Stream.
- Applications now open for this year’s Music Start Up Showcase, presented as part of the BIGSOUND Ideas & Innovation Hub.
- BIGSOUND Tickets On Sale Now, Festival and Delegate Passes available - visit bigsound.org.au to take advantage, early bird offer ends Monday, 30 June 2026.
- Media accreditation expression of interests are now open, apply here.
Magandjin (Brisbane), Queensland - With its key theme of “Creatives in Conversation” producing some of its most diverse and engaging conference programming to date, BIGSOUND today reveals its plans for the 2026 Ideas & Innovation Hub.
The dedicated conference space has been established for music industry, educators, technology and government stakeholders to gather and explore the ideas and conversations shaping the future of Australian music. The Ideas & Innovation Hub launches with key partnerships in the worlds of Technology and Education, developing programming that focuses on music education and emerging technologies and innovation.
Co-programming the Technology Stream of the Ideas & Innovation Hub is Australian non-profit organisation CAST (Centre for Arts, Sports and Technology). CAST connects entertainment organisations with the technology reshaping how culture is made and experienced. With more than 80,000 entertainment organisations navigating a rapidly expanding technology vendor landscape, CAST exists to make that transition simpler, helping the industry discover, evaluate and adopt the right tools, faster.
Confirmed as an industry guest of the Technology Stream for 2026 is Emmy Award-winning composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, author and investor, Lucas Cantor Santiago. A true leader in his field, Cantor Santiago’s journey in the tech field began with him overcoming his self-described scepticism of tech itself, by becoming engrained in the work itself. With credits spanning Olympic broadcasts, Super Bowl and Fox Sports campaigns, Cantor Santiago is the Founder and General Partner of Mindset Music Tech, a venture firm investing in music technology.
“I spent a lot of my career deeply sceptical of technology’s role in music, so I understand why these conversations can bring up real tension. What changed my mind was getting closer to the work itself - not in theory, but in practice. I’m looking forward to joining BIGSOUND and having an honest conversation about where technology can support creativity, where caution matters, and what the industry should be paying attention to now.” Lucas Cantor Santiago, composer, producer, author and founder, Mindset Music Tech
With the debut of the dedicated Education Stream as part of this year’s Ideas & Innovation Hub, BIGSOUND is partnering with leading education technology company AMPLIFY Music Education in delivering a program that firmly centres music educators as part of the broader industry.
"We are thrilled to launch BIGSOUND’s first dedicated education stream within the Ideas and Innovation Hub, giving music educators a crucial opportunity to be a direct part of the industry they play such a huge role in building. True innovation requires a strong pipeline from the classroom to the sector, and this partnership ensures our educators are seated at the table. We look forward to collaborating with government, industry leaders, and the founders to champion the social and economic benefits music education delivers to the next generation." Natalie Kradolfer, Co-Founder, Amplify Music Education
Also announced today as part of the 2026 BIGSOUND Ideas & Innovation Hub, is this year’s Music Start Up Showcase, which last year saw 50+ startups apply for around the world. Applications are open for startups building across creator tools, live events, fan engagement, and the evolving infrastructure that supports artists and venues. CAST and BIGSOUND are looking for innovative companies from across the world that are reshaping how music is made, shared, and experienced.
A selection committee of Van Picken (Global Director of Music Strategy,TEG), Drew Thurlow (Investor, Mindset Ventures), Sophie Robertson (TEN13) and Yvan Boudillet (Music Tech Europe) will shortlist startups to pitch live at BIGSOUND. An additional cohort will be featured in a digital publication, giving them visibility across the CAST network and the broader Australian music industry.
Applications close 24th of July 12pm EST. To apply, create a CAST profile HERE.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, BIGSOUND is delivering a Conference and Showcase program that reflects the ever-evolving nature of the Australian music industry and live space; amplifying our artists and industry leaders more than ever.
It’s through the support of Partners and Government that export focused arts events like BIGSOUND are made possible. With the announcement of the BIGSOUND 100, as well as a diverse list of Artists in Conversation and international guest reveals in recent weeks, excitement hits a new peak as BIGSOUND prepares to roll out more programming news in the lead up to the event, this September 1-4 2026.
The full BIGSOUND program will launch in July, with early bird festival tickets and delegate pass on sale now - make sure you are subscribed and staying tuned to all official updates via the BIGSOUND website: www.bigsound.org.au/subscribe
BIGSOUND is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Education; and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts funding and advisory body.
About BIGSOUND
The biggest week in Australian music and largest music industry event in the Southern Hemisphere, BIGSOUND has been where the music industry does business for 25 years. Held annually in the sacred home and beating heart of Australia’s Live music scene - Fortitude Valley, Magandjin (Brisbane), BIGSOUND is four days and three nights of showcases, development, conversations and connections.
BIGSOUND is the place where managers find their next act, agents close touring deals, labels discover the artists that define the next generation, and where introductions made over a drink at the Artist Hub become the partnerships that shape careers. Part showcase, part conference, part pilgrimage for the Australian music industry and its global peers - BIGSOUND is a cultural moment that has helped launched and propelled the careers of artists including Flume, Tash Sultana, Tones and I, and Courtney Barnettt, and continues to attract the international music industry to Brisbane each September.
BIGSOUND 2026 | 1–4 September, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Tickets on sale May 2026.
About QMusic
QMusic is the not-for-profit music industry peak body and development association for Queensland. The work of QMusic is critical to the success and development of Queensland’s music economy. It is the only significant and established not-for-profit organisation in Queensland dedicated to delivering sector and talent development, and recognition and capacity building initiatives including Industry Connect, the QMAs, and BIGSOUND.
