BIGSOUND Festival Announces its First Lineup of Artists

Following on from a massive first round announcement of speakers in May, BIGSOUND continues to cement its reputation as the country's biggest discovery event for new music, with the unveiling of the first round of live acts, set to take the stage across 4 nights in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley this September 4-7.

The event, which brings together key industry figures and music fans from around to the world to sample the best of tomorrow's hottest Australia acts, welcomes its first 75 acts. Showcases from Australia's most buzzworthy live acts, including The Chats, Eliott, Cable Ties, Asha Jefferies, yú y? and more, sit among a long list of Australia's future headliners.

Despite being only six months into a brand new year of Australian music, massive buzz from the industry has already helped solidify pop act Eilish Gilligan, electronic act CLYPSO, captivating songwriter Tyne-James Organ, Canberra rockers Moaning Lisa and Zimbabwean born, Perth based rapper T$oko as must-see acts at BIGSOUND Festival this year. Newcomers Georgia Mulligan, sweater curse, Adrian Eagle, KAIIT and Sydney DIY punkers ARSE have also positioned themselves as ones to watch in 2018.

BIGSOUND's first round of live artists also sees an influx of metal, hip hop and folk music added to the bill; Sydney's ARTERIES lead the charge for all things heavy, alongside metalcore outfits Gravemind, Sleep Talk and heavy hitters Cast Down. West-Sydney's Kwame, badass rapper KAIIT and 15 year old KIAN position themselves are key players in the hip hop world, while the uncanny song writing of Georgia Mulligan and new work from Greta Stanley helps reposition the idea of 'singer-songwriter'.

New Zealand act Wax Chattels, Indigenous duo The Merindas, dream pop act Pool Shop and iconic Australian musician Ella Hooper also help round out a long list of fresh acts for BIGSOUND Festival's first announcement.

The festival will also see return sets from a small selection of BIGSOUND favorites including Blank Realm, Olympia, Gabriella Cohen and Oh Pep! While Brisbane outfit Blank Realm will be using the event as the world premiere for new material - after their previous release achieved critical acclaim around the world from the likes of Pitchfork, BBC, Stereogum and more - Olympia and Gabriella Cohen are also set to make return appearances with fresh work under their belts. Crowd favourites Butterfingers will be making an appearance at the festival, showcasing music for the first time since their 2017 single 'Big Night Out'.

These artists (and over 70 others) will play in front of labels, publishers, agents, festival bookers and other industry heavyweights. Following in the footsteps of Stella Donnelly, Alex Lahey and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, BIGSOUND Festival artists from 2018 become eligible for the Levi's Music Prize, the ability to score $25,000 in prize money and $5,000 in travel from Stage and Screen to assist in progressing their international music careers.

"The amount of BIGSOUND applications this year smashed last year's record by another 70 to make up approximately 1,133 applications. That's a lot of talent. Punters wanting to own the fact that "they discovered an artist first", better get themselves across this massive list of acts, who are on the cusp of exploding worldwide." said BIGSOUND programmer Maggie Collins.

Final applications are also being called on for BIGSOUND's music tech showcase which will this year expand to provide even more hands-on opportunities for delegates to experience the future of music. If you work in music tech and would like to showcase your product, idea or innovation, visit www.bigsound.org.au/music-tech

The Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said BIGSOUND was a significant Australian music industry event which showcased Brisbane as a growing arts and cultural events hub;

"Each year, this event brings together musicians and other music industry professionals, brands and media from around the globe, attracting thousands of music lovers from across the nation," Ms Jones said.

"Events like this are crucial in driving Queensland's tourism economy, promoting Queensland's destinations and supporting jobs.

The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support BIGSOUND via Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland's It's Live! in Queensland calendar, worth $780 million to the state's economy."

Bigsound Festival Tickets Are On Sale Now from Oztix

ONE NIGHT PASS - $45.00 (+BF)
(One night of live music of your choosing)

RAINBOW PASS - $85.00 (+BF)
(Four nights of live music)

PURPLE PASS - START AT $370.00 (+BF)
(Access to festival and conference + More)

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT www.bigsound.org.au

BIGSOUND FESTIVAL
FIRST ARTIST LINE UP A. Swayze & The Ghosts
Adrian Eagle
Alice Skye
ARSE
Arteries
Asha Jefferies
Bin Juice
Blank Realm
Bugs
Butterfingers
Cable Ties
Cast Down
CLYPSO
Cry Club
CXLOE
DEAN FOREVER
Dreller (UK)
Eat Your Heart Out
Eilish Gilligan
Eliott
Elizabeth
Ella Hooper
Emma Anglesey
Estere (NZ)
Gabriella Cohen
Genesis Owusu
Georgia Mulligan
Good Doogs
GRAACE
Gravemind
Greta Stanley
Hachiku
Hazlett
Hobsons Bay Coast Guard
Imogen Clark
James Wright Trio
JEFFE
KAIIT
Kaitlin Keegan
KIAN
Kota Banks
Kult Kyss
Kwame
MANE
Miss June
Moaning Lisa
MOOKHI
Oh Pep!
Olympia
Paces
Pink Matter
Pool Shop
Rachel Maria Cox
RAT!hammock
Riley Pearce
Ruby Gilbert
Samsaruh
Sleep Talk
Slowly Slowly
Stevie Jean
Sumner
Sunscreen
sweater curse
SŸDE
T$oko
Tape/Off
The Chats
The Merindas
TOTTY
Triple One
Two People
Tyne-James Organ
Voiid
Wax Chattels (NZ)
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BIGSOUND is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland. BIGSOUND has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. Queensland, home to Australia's best live events in Australia's best destinations.

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