BIGSOUND 2026: Save the Dates for an Unforgettable Music Experience!
## BIGSOUND 2026 Dates Announced
Following the success of the 2025 edition, BIGSOUND has set its dates for the upcoming 2026 event. This annual conference and showcase remains a significant date on both the Australian and international music calendars, scheduled to take place from September 1st to 4th.
### Highlights from BIGSOUND 2025
The previous edition attracted an impressive 4,200 festivalgoers, including more than 1,700 official delegates. Attendees participated in over 500 events, featuring 138 speakers and 130 performing bands. The free all-ages stages at Brunswick St Mall and Goolwal Garden (Sound Garden) welcomed up to 10,000 fans daily.
BIGSOUND served as a platform not only for performances but also as an artist bootcamp. It showcased a diverse selection of international talent while providing over 750 artist meetings and various performance opportunities. Keynotes were presented by influential Australian artists like BRIGGS, Mallrat, and Tash Sultana.
### Notable International Guests
The conference featured prominent figures like Dave Rowntree, drummer of Blur, who praised Melbourne-based alt-rock group Loose Content as his standout act. Renowned British music executive Darcus Beese OBE also highlighted BIG NOTER as a noteworthy moment. Media representatives, including Ariana Morgenstern from KCRW and Deb Grant from BBC Radio 6, contributed their expertise to help develop both artists and industry professionals.
### First Nations Talent Spotlight
In a bid to celebrate First Nations talent, the Sound Garden evolved into the Goolwal Garden, which highlighted the Goolwal Goolwal program. This initiative showcased Blak excellence through a series of curated music events and discussions.
### Success of the Artist Hub
The revamped BIGSOUND Artist Hub, presented by Spotify, proved to be a great success, offering fully subscribed sessions covering everything from artist bookings to long-term career management.
### Visual Art Activations
Each year, the integration of visual art is essential to the BIGSOUND experience. With support from the Brisbane City Council, the 2025 event featured vibrant art installations that created an engaging atmosphere for attendees.
### Building Global Connections
BIGSOUND is dedicated to providing key opportunities for both international and domestic music industry participants. Collaborating with organizations like Sounds Australia, the event put over 500 artists in front of industry influencers.
Esti Zilber, Executive Producer of Sounds Australia, remarked, “For over 15 years, Sounds Australia has been collaborating with BIGSOUND to deliver premier export pathways for Australian showcasing artists.” This year, 625 tailored one-on-one meetings facilitated connections between 35 influential international music executives and 66 emerging Australian acts, providing valuable global opportunities.
Are you excited for what BIGSOUND 2026 has in store? We can’t wait to see how it evolves!
