BIGSOUND is gearing up for its 25th anniversary in a big way, unveiling the first wave of Artist In Conversations and international industry guests set to descend on Brisbane this September.
Leading the newly announced artist sessions are Australian music heavyweights King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Julia Jacklin and trials, each bringing a unique perspective on building a sustainable and influential career in music.
BIGSOUND 2026
Dates: September 1st – 4th, 2026
Location: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland
Newly Announced Artist In Conversations
- King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood)
- Julia Jacklin
- trials
Major International Guests Announced
- Bonnaroo (Bryan Benson)
- Pitchfork (Nina Corcoran)
- Partisan Records (Chris Fraser)
- Mom+Pop Music (Thaddeus Rudd)
- Soho House London (Jessica Moss)
- SXSW (Dev Sherlock)
- The Great Escape (Marie Robinson)
- Reeperbahn (Patrick Daniel)
- Carpark Records (Steph Salas)
- True Panther (Kelley Lin)
- Plus additional representatives from Europe, North America, India and Japan
Ticket Pricing
Early Bird Delegate Pass
- Full Price: $899
- Early Bird: $699
- QMusic Subscribers & Reciprocal Members: $649
Early Bird pricing ends June 30, 2026.
Find out more and get your tickets here.
Australian artists
For King Gizzard fans, the conversation promises a rare opportunity to hear directly from Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood as they reflect on the band’s extraordinary journey.
Since turning heads at BIGSOUND in 2013, the Melbourne psych-rock innovators have evolved into one of Australia’s most successful global exports, releasing more than 25 albums and cultivating a fiercely dedicated international fanbase while maintaining complete creative independence.
Joining them is acclaimed singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin, whose rise from BIGSOUND showcase artist to international indie favourite perfectly embodies the event’s mission. Returning to the conference after a landmark year that included signing her first worldwide deal with 4AD, Jacklin is expected to discuss her career trajectory, songwriting process and navigating the global music industry as an Australian artist.
Award-winning Ngarrindjeri producer and artist trials rounds out the first artist announcement. Known for his groundbreaking work with Funkoars and A.B. Original alongside Briggs, trials has recently stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist following the release of his debut album hendle.
International industry representatives
Beyond the artist conversations, BIGSOUND has also secured an impressive roster of international industry representatives.
Delegates will have opportunities to connect with executives from Bonnaroo, Pitchfork, Partisan Records, Mom+Pop Music, Soho House London and SXSW, alongside representatives from some of the world’s most influential festivals, labels, media outlets and booking agencies.
According to QMusic Interim CEO Kristy Ellis, the focus for this year is creating more opportunities for Australian and New Zealand artists to connect directly with global markets through networking, facilitated meetings and industry discussions.
Returning features including Roundtables, Conversation Corners, the Artist Hub and Goolwal Goolwal will once again form the backbone of the event, while organisers promise an expanded technology and partner showcase program in the coming months.
Celebrating a quarter century of shaping careers and opening doors, BIGSOUND 2026 is once again positioning Brisbane as the epicentre of the Australian music industry.
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