BIGSOUND 2026 is officially locked in, with the full professional development and hubs program now available ahead of the festival’s return to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from September 1st to 4th.
Celebrating its 25th year, BIGSOUND is set to bring Australian and international music figures together across four days of showcases, conversations, workshops, networking opportunities and industry events.
At the centre of the latest announcement is Australian songwriting icon Paul Kelly, who will sit down with ABC journalist Sarah Kanowski for a special artist conversation presented with APRA AMCOS as part of the organisation’s 100 year celebration of Australian songwriting.
The session will explore the role of the songwriter and the impact songwriting has had on Australian music and culture.
“As APRA celebrates 100 years of supporting Australian songwriters, composers and music publishers, and BIGSOUND clocks up 25 years of showcasing the best of our music industry, it seemed only fitting that we bring out one of Australia’s most beloved songwriters, Paul Kelly, as part of the celebrations to talk about Australian songwriting and its impact both here and around the world,” said Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS.
Kelly is among more than 100 newly confirmed industry guests for BIGSOUND 2026, with names spanning artists, labels, festivals, media, technology, touring and music business.
Other notable names include Annabelle Herd (ARIA), Hans Schafer (Live Nation), Pete Murray, Kimberley Galceran (Dark Mofo), Van Picken (TEG), Ladyhawke, Poppy Reid, Joe Khan (Spotify), Jamie Raeburn (Central Station Records), Carla Fowler (Create Mate), Ashley Gay (Xelon Digital), Bianca Benussi (Instagram), Lucy Buckeridge (Domino Recordings), Tyla Dombroski (Crowbar), Viv Mellish (GYRO.Group) and Will Cuming (Unified Music Group). The announcement confirms the full industry guest program is now available.
BIGSOUND goes ‘Building Like Bad Bunny’
One of the standout conference sessions will take a closer look at the international growth of Latin music with Building Like Bad Bunny.
Using Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny’s global rise as a jumping-off point, the panel will explore how artists can use culture and language to build stronger connections between Australia and Latin America.
Hans Schafer, Live Nation’s SVP of Global Touring, will feature in the session, bringing his perspective on the international expansion of Latin music.
BIGSOUND will also put the spotlight on the growing crossover between music and entrepreneurship, with Meg Williams, Carla Fowler of Create Mate and Will Cuming of UNIFIED Music Group discussing how creatives can identify gaps in the industry and develop their own solutions.
Central Station Records celebrates 50 years
A major anniversary will also take place during BIGSOUND, with Central Station Records celebrating 50 years.
Hosted by Jennifer Sullivan, the session will bring together founder Jo Palumbo, Managing Director Jamie Raeburn, COO Matt Nugent and former A&R Ashley Gay, now Managing Director of Xelon Digital.
The anniversary will continue at Content House with a birthday party mixer presented by KiTbetter.
Three BIGSOUND hubs return
This year’s hub program gives delegates and artists dedicated spaces for networking, education, technology, artist development and industry connection.
The BIGSOUND Ideas and Innovation Hub, presented across education and technology streams by Amplify Music Education and the Centre for Arts, Sport and Technology, will bring together music professionals, educators, artists and technology specialists.
Names attached to the hub include Ian Haug of Powderfinger/The Church, Pete Murray, Sam Cromack of Ball Park Music, Sasha McLeod of SYCCO, Matt O’Gorman of British India, Professor Glenn Savage, Dr James Humberstone, Jane Polley, Kat Gibbs and Viv Mellish.
The BIGSOUND Artist Hub, presented by Spotify, will return as a dedicated space for artists to recharge, connect and explore tools designed to support their careers.
Programming includes the daily Turn It Up Aus breakfast, a Spotify for Artists Masterclass, a US Visa Workshop, an opportunity to meet Live Nation’s Next On booking team, APRA100 Trivia with Not on Your Rider and a Marshall Happy Hour.
“We are excited to be back for the second year, throwing our support behind all things backline and artist services. As the presenting partner of the BIGSOUND Artist Hub, we’re championing local sounds through this foundational support for Artists and their creative support systems.”
— Leah Harris, Spotify Artist and Label Partnerships Lead.
For industry delegates, the Oztix Delegate Hub will provide another central meeting point, including new Connect With BIGSOUND networking events presented with Luma and QSIC, as well as the return of Roundtables and an encore mixer following the BIGSOUND Decides debate.
Content House returns
BIGSOUND Content House is also back for its second year, providing a dedicated space for media, content creators and the wider music community.
The Tuesday to Thursday program will cover content, marketing, broadcasting, social media, visual identity and artist development, alongside mixers, panels and the Casio Sunset Sessions featuring Sidney and Lara Buchanan.
GYRO.Group will take over programming on Wednesday, with sessions spanning wellbeing, release strategy, online music culture and independent labels, before the company’s annual mixer.
“Content is one of the most significant aspects of promoting music right now, and it’s an area where what we collectively do across the entire GYRO.Group allows us to meaningfully add to the conversation. Partnering with BIGSOUND to program Content House gives us the platform to have those conversations at the highest level with the artists, creators, and industry professionals who are shaping what comes next.” says Andy Irvine, CEO of GYRO.Group
The Thursday program will include Artist & The Art of Being Chronically Online with Poppy Reid and Birdland, alongside Image & Identity: Your Vision Is Your Value with Summer King and guests including Byron Spencer, Pa777ience, David Cook and Jonathan Zawada.
The space will also host the Life Without Andy x American Apparel Portrait Studio, featuring selected BIGSOUND 100 artists.
More music, more parties and Ones To Watch
Beyond the conference program, BIGSOUND’s live music showcases will continue across the four-day event, with the official Oztix party returning.
Live Nation’s Ones To Watch music discovery series is also back, although its lineup remains under wraps for now.
Among the artists and music names included in the latest announcement are Paul Kelly, Pete Murray, Ladyhawke, Birdland, Byron Spencer, Harper Kodicek, Nathan Bird, Sam Cromack, Sasha McLeod, Sean Walker, Unice Wani and Lucy Blomkamp, alongside musicians and industry figures from across Australia’s music landscape.
With the full BIGSOUND 2026 program now live, delegates and festivalgoers can start planning their September.
BIGSOUND 2026 takes place from September 1st to 4th in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
BIGSOUND 2026 tickets
Delegate Pass: $899
QMusic Subscriber & Reciprocal Members: $849
Student and concession pricing is also available.
Festival Pass – 3 nights including afterparties:
Early Bird: $100*
Full Price: $119*
1 Night Festival Pass: $69*
Youth (25 and under) and Concession: $30*
Prices do not include platform fees. Terms and conditions apply. Afterpay is available.
The full program and tickets are available via BIGSOUND.
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