BIGSOUND Unveils 2026 Showcase Lineup as Brisbane Music Gathering Celebrates 25 Years
Australia’s premier music industry gathering, BIGSOUND, has unveiled the first wave of artists for its 2026 event, marking the festival and conference’s 25th anniversary with a showcase lineup designed to spotlight the next generation of export-ready talent.
Taking over Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from September 1-4, BIGSOUND will once again transform the entertainment precinct into a hub for artists, industry executives and music fans, with more than 100 acts set to perform across 15 venues as part of the newly announced BIGSOUND 100.
Organisers describe the lineup as a carefully curated snapshot of the artists shaping the future of Australian music, with the annual event continuing its long-standing role as a launchpad for emerging talent and a key meeting place for the global music business.
The 2026 edition arrives on the back of a record year for the event, which generated an estimated $20 million in economic impact for Queensland in 2025 and attracted more than 200 music industry delegates from around the world.
Queensland Minister for Education and Arts John-Paul Langbroek said BIGSOUND’s longevity reflects its importance to both the local music sector and the state’s broader creative economy.
“BIGSOUND’s 25th anniversary is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together, inspiring creativity and building connections,” Langbroek said.
“For two and a half decades, BIGSOUND has been a driving force behind the discovery of new talent, the growth of our music industry and showcasing Queensland as a vibrant cultural destination.”
The minister said the Crisafulli Government’s support of BIGSOUND aligned with its long-term strategy to grow Queensland’s creative industries in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Established by QMusic, BIGSOUND has become one of the most influential events on the Australian music calendar, combining live showcases with a conference that attracts representatives from record labels, publishing companies, management firms, booking agencies, media organisations and sync specialists.
This year’s conference theme, Creativity in Conversation, will explore collaboration, innovation and the evolving relationship between artists and the music industry.
The annual event has a strong track record of helping emerging artists secure international opportunities, with past BIGSOUND performers including Flume, Courtney Barnett, Tones And I, Baker Boy, Genesis Owusu, Thelma Plum and King Stingray before they achieved wider recognition.
The full conference and festival program will be announced in July, with early-bird delegate and festival passes currently on sale.
As BIGSOUND enters its second quarter-century, organisers are positioning the 2026 edition as both a celebration of the event’s legacy and a glimpse at the future of Australian music.
The complete BIGSOUND 100 artist lineup and ticket information can be found at the official BIGSOUND website.