Following on from a huge first announcement of conference speakers, the largest music industry event in the southern hemisphere, BIGSOUND has announced the 140 artists who are set to showcase at this year's event.
Amongst the line-up for BIGSOUND 2023, which will see the global music industry's focus shift to Brisbane, are a stack of acts from the heavier end of the local music spectrum.
Heading up the heavy list are Central Australian metal icons Southeast Desert Metal, while Eora/Sydney heavy rockers Battlesnake will follow their recent run with The Smashing Pumpkins touring festival The World Is A Vampire by showcasing at BIGSOUND, and instrumental prog-lords The Omnific will follow up their support of Polyphia's sold-out national run by playing BIGSOUND.
Joining these two will be Behind You, Valtozash, Porcelain Boy, Coldwave, Zheani and Johnny Hunter. Each of these local heavy acts will have the chance to showcase at BIGSOUND, which runs from 5-8 September.
There are a stack of quality locals on the rock end of the spectrum, with the likes of Bec Stevens, Sophisticated Dingo and Moaning Lisa also set to appear. With over 1300 applicants from artists across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, BIGSOUND bookers made the seemingly impossible task of whittling down the record-breaking list of requests to 141 of the most buzz-worthy acts currently generating huge amounts of hype around the country.
Bigsound Co-Programming Lead and Sunroom Co-Director Ruby-Jean McCabe says curating the showcasing lineup was no small feat.
“Once again this year we had the unenviable task of reading, listening to and enjoying several thousand BIGSOUND applications from all over the country and world. While this is definitely our favourite time of the year, because we get to listen to so much amazing music, it can be our least favourite as well. As bookers, we have to make the hard decision of whittling down these acts which felt like an impossible task given the talent in front of us! We feel this year’s lineup is one of the strongest we’ve ever seen showcase at BIGSOUND, which makes the task harder than ever before. The future of music in Australia is continuing on its upward trajectory and with this lineup, it’s obvious it will continue to do so.”
Now in its 22nd year, BIGSOUND has left no stone unturned in its quest to showcase the crème de la crème of emerging acts, with all states and territories represented, as well artists flocking in from regional areas, remote communities and across the pond.
Early Bird 3-night Music Showcase tickets are on sale now via www.bigsound.org.au.
For more information on everything happening at BIGSOUND and to view the full line-up head here.
Listen To The Best New Heavy Tracks On Our Metal Maniacs Playlist
