BIGSOUND Starts Next Week + New Conference Programmers Announced!

Cathy Oates and Niriko McLure will join forces as the new Conference Programmers + Download the app and new initiatives announced.

The countdown is officially on for this year's BIGSOUND, which starts in Fortitude Valley less than one week. From next Tuesday 3 September, the festivities will be underway for three days of music, panels and riotous fun! 

As the producers of BIGSOUND, QMusic are also excited to announce today that Cathy Oates (Original Matters) and Niriko McLure (Third Person Management) will be taking over the prestigious joint role of BIGSOUND Conference Co-Programmers for the event from 2025, replacing Tom Larkin after his impressive seven-year tenure. 

“We are thrilled at BIGSOUND to welcome Niriko McLure and Cathy Oates to the team,” shared QMusic Director of Programming Mandi McIntyre. “The role of the BIGSOUND Conference programmer has an unbroken legacy of creating timely and pivotal conversations which reflect and translate the heartbeat of the music industry on an annual basis. 

“Never has this been more important, and as such, Cathy and Niriko’s combined extensive global experience and networks, along with deep roots planted in our local industry arrive at BIGSOUND at the perfect juncture. We, the BIGSOUND team, are incredibly excited to work with Cathy and Niriko alongside our advisory groups and music co-programmers to help shape the future landscape of Australian music, both here and abroad.” 

As an Artist Manager and Founder at Original Matters, Cathy Oates has carved out impressive pathways for Australian artists to flourish on an international scale - first signing Angus & Julia Stone in 2006, then Dean Lewis in 2017, each of whom have gone on to impressive global success. Oates also gained extensive music marketing knowledge during her time at major labels, including Sony, EMI Music and more recently Warner Music and currently consults to a variety of music companies both in Australia and the US. Original Matters also manages Meg Washington who’s influential and genre-defying work has been widely recognised over the years. 

Of her new appointment, Oates says, “BIGSOUND has always been an essential date in the calendar for me, not only attending whilst my artists performed, but as a major networking event and a lot of condensed fun. To undertake this role with Niriko is an exciting proposition, each having different vaults within the music world to draw influence from. We both thrive on catching up with industry people from all walks of life, therefore the role is an extension of what we do already. 

“I also wanted to say a big thank you to Tom Larkin for faithfully handing over the baton. Joining Katie and Casey and the wider BIGSOUND team will be an opportunity to collectively do great things!” 

Niriko McLure, Artist Manager and Creative Producer at Third Person Management, has spent over a decade in senior positions in the music industry, in management, label and publishing, music tech and policy and event investment; leading teams across global locations in Sydney, LA and London. She has worked with world class artists like Matt Corby and 5 Seconds of Summer, achieving number one albums in Australia, NZ, UK and USA; gold and platinum album and single sales; 3 x ARIA Song of the Year; triple j Album of the Year; and Vanda and Young Song of the Year winners. McLure also has experience in the live event sector - from domestic to international touring at Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the Moo and Falls Festivals and now represents Jarryd James, egoism, and Maddy Jane.  

McLure says of the new role, "I'm so excited to take on this role with Cathy. BIGSOUND provides access to knowledge and connection, which is so important to keep a dynamic and thriving music culture. Casey, Katie, the QMusic team and the music business community, I can’t wait to work with you next year as we help create spaces to exchange conversations and share ideas with all those making great music, unforgettable songs and experiences possible." 

Download the app and plan your week.
Three new initiatives announced + Closing Night Party and Visual Arts program details.

The BIGSOUND app is now live for iOS and Android and allows delegates to plot their music, knowledge and networking journey and punters to plan their one or three-nights or glorious music immersion. See the full sets of your favourite bands, or dash between venues to see how many brand-new acts you can see! 

This year BIGSOUND welcomes three new initiatives: 

Judge the nation’s future hits for yourself and vote for your favourite showcasing artist via The Brick Lane People’s Choice Award during BIGSOUND to go in the draw to win a kick-ass prize. PLUS the winning artists will receive a vinyl press of their record thanks to Suitcase Records, two days recording plus accommodation thanks to Airlock Studio, $2500 worth of professional audio gear from JBL Consumer and more! Voting will take place in venues via QR code. 

Up for a slightly bigger challenge? Visit all 16 Festival venues during BIGSOUND and you could win BIG! Just pick up a BIGSOUND Venue Passport when you collect your festival wristband, follow the prompts to submit your stamp-loaded passport and you’ll be in the draw to win a double VIP package including four VIP tickets to Wildlands Festival and a VIP Experience on board either Brisbane’s OASIS or SEADECK party vessels for you and five friends. 

One lucky artist will also walk away with $5,000 cold-hard-cash and $2,000 of professional audio gear with the newly introduced JBL Industry Prize. This will be awarded to one outstanding official showcase artist, as selected by a panel of judges comprised of domestic and international industry professionals. The winner will be announced at the BIGSOUND’s QHA Qlder Brunch on Friday, 6 September. 

As you move between festival venues, be sure to check out the amazing art, light and projection installations, thanks to Brisbane City Council, the BIGSOUND visual arts series is back to redefine Brisbane’s famed live music precinct. Keep an eye out for pieces that pay homage to iconic BIGSOUND alumni and celebrate the elemental force and power of Fortitude Valley’s impact on the Australian music scene. 

BIGSOUND is also pleased to announce that the Official BIGSOUND Closing Party will return to The Fortitude Music Hall and is open to all BIGSOUND artists and delegates, plus three-night and Thursday night Festival ticket holders. Presented by Brick Lane Brewing and The Fortitude Music Hall, this year’s closing event will be hosted by Club Kito, who will be bringing the goods with special surprise guests hitting the DJ decks, thanks to APRA AMCOS.

The announcements follow the previous stacked Conference line-up that includes huge names like international powerhouses Kelis, Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers) and Tones And I, and the Festival line-up boasting Stand Atlantic, Alex the Astronaut, Sly Withers, Keli Holiday, Beddy Rays, Dear Seattle, PEPTALK, DEM MOB, Sly Withers, Miiesha, FRIDAY*, Georgia Lines, LUPO.THEBOY, Mac The Knife, JUNO, total tommy, Hellcat Speedracer and SO MANY MORE. 

This year BIGSOUND Festival is accessible for as little as $25 (+bf) for a single night ticket for those 25 and under, or with the three-night pass giving you access to every night and every venue for just $89 (+bf), with tickets on sale now through our proud BIGSOUND Festival partner Oztix. 

Whether you’re an industry delegate looking for the hottest new talent or simply there as a punter to soak up the experience, BIGSOUND is YOUR musical adventure. 

VIEW THE PROGRAM

BIGSOUND MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKETS & DELEGATE PASSES ON SALE NOW 

ALL-ACCESS DELEGATE PASSES 

This is your ticket to access the full conference, 3-night Music Festival, parties and workshops. General: $779 / QMusic Members: $679 / Students $379.

BIGSOUND 3-NIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKET 

A BIGSOUND 3-Night Music Festival ticket gives you access to all performances: 120+ artists, across 18 venues, with just one wristband. Final Release: $89 +

BIGSOUND 1-NIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL TICKET

Festival 1-Night Ticket: Standard rate $44.50 + bf 

Festival 1-Night Ticket: 25 & Under $25 +bf 

*NEW MOBILITY ACCESS TICKET* 

While every effort is made for BIGSOUND venues to be fully accessible, we recognise that some venues aren’t accessible to those with mobility requirements such as ramp or lift access. If you would like to purchase a Mobility Access Ticket, please complete the form here to submit a request for our Ticketing team to call you OR contact the BIGSOUND office on (07) 3257 0013.

BOOK NOW

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