APPLY TO PLAY
BIGSOUND 2023
5-8 September
#2023 Artist Showcase applications have now closed
Australian artists have the rare chance to perform in front of some of the most influential figures in music by showcasing at BIGSOUND, the southern hemisphere's largest dedicated music showcase and conference.
Run across three game-changing days and three fun-filled nights, showcasing artists can connect with, listen to and play in front of some of the most influential players in music. Now in its 22nd year, BIGSOUND has grown to become the biggest A&R music event of its type in Australia. This year's event will welcome tastemakers from across the globe including media, A&R, agents, promoters, music supervisors, buyers and so much more.
In addition to having access to hundreds of influential music industry figures, BIGSOUND Showcase Artists are provided with the opportunity for excellent media exposure, with the event being covered by national and international media outlets and reaching an international audience of 24.6 million people.
Previous years’ showcases propelled the careers of some of the biggest names in Australian music, including Flume, Rufus du Sol, Gang of Youths, The Temper Trap, Lime Cordiale, Tash Sultana, DMA’s, Courtney Barnett and many more.
Will you be next?
Artist Showcases take place from Tuesday 5 - Thursday 7 September.
#Important Information
- Acts must be available to be in Brisbane 5 - 7 September 2023
- Artists are encouraged to apply for financial support from funding bodies. Please refer to your local state-based music development association for more info.
- One complimentary BIGSOUND delegate pass will be made available to each successful showcase act (Note: additional passes will be available for band members at a discounted rate).
#Application FAQs
Key Dates
Tue 2 Mar: Applications open on the BIGSOUND website 12pm (AEST)
Tue 2 May: the deadline to apply to perform has been EXTENDED by two weeks, now closing at midnight, Tuesday 2 May.
Mid June: Successful applicants notified
Tue 5 – Thu 7 September: BIGSOUND - acts must be available to be in Brisbane.
Who should apply to play?
Queensland, Australian and New Zealand-based artists are encouraged to apply. Artists from outside of AU/NZ are welcome to apply but please be aware this is a showcasing event primarily focussed on the Australian and New Zealand industries and exporting those artists elsewhere in the world, and your application will be assessed on the strength of this.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, First Nations people from countries that are not Australia and those residing in regional and remote communities are strongly encouraged to apply to play, and to also apply for financial support from funding bodies to help facilitate your trip to BIGSOUND.
Is there an application fee to apply?
There is a small fee to apply to be a BIGSOUND showcasing artist. Non-QMusic members will be $30. QMusic members will be $20.
How will my application be assessed?
Our aim for BIGSOUND 2023 is to assist showcasing artists with achieving their goals and taking their career to the next level. Whether that be touring overseas, growing your team, showcasing in front of festival bookers from all over the world, or announcing your arrival, we want to foster these opportunities.
It is important for us to focus on outcomes for our showcasing artists. This means the BIGSOUND 2023 Festival programming team will be assessing applications by gauging what potential outcomes artists may achieve from showcasing. We also want to ensure showcasing artists are capitalising on existing momentum. What have you achieved so far and what will you gain out of BIGSOUND 2023? This is important to keep in mind when applying.
If selected to showcase, will I be paid a performance fee?
The core purpose of the BIGSOUND Showcase program is to create business outcomes for showcasing artists. As a non-profit venture run to provide opportunities for artists, funds raised by the event are invested back into bringing national and international buyers to Brisbane and curating networking and one-on-one meetings tailored to each artists' needs of team expansion.
So while showcasing artists are not compensated monetarily, each selected showcase act receives a Delegate pass ($599), giving access to the full conference, industry events and official showcases and allocated performing members and crew receive a three-night festival pass ($109 per person) granting them access to all festival venues for official showcases, for the duration of the festival.
Individuals under 18 will have access to their showcasing venue for their performance only.We are also working hard to provide added benefits for the BIGSOUND Showcasing Artists this year to hopefully subsidise your stay in Brisbane.
Will I get feedback on my application?
The BIGSOUND team is lucky to receive a large number of applications each year and are privileged to listen to an array of diverse and talented artists from across Australia and the world. We would love to be able to provide feedback on all applications, however, due to the capacity of the team, we can only provide feedback to successful applications. Unfortunately, the scope and diversity of applications means that it’s not practical or fair for the assessment panel to provide feedback on individual applications.
Will successful acts receive passes?
Each BIGSOUND Showcasing Act will receive ONE full BIGSOUND delegate pass, allowing them access to all parts of the conference, industry events and showcases.
Each performing individual will receive an artist wristband granting them access to all festival venues for official showcases, for the duration of the festival.
Individuals under 18 will have access to their showcasing venue for their performance only.
Can I get a refund if I purchase a delegate pass and am then announced as a showcasing artist?
Yes, the BIGSOUND team will assist in delivering refunds to showcasing artists if required.
Please fill out the BIGSOUND contact form.
Are there any grants or funding opportunities to assist with travel?
Yes! In 2023, showcasing artists will be eligible to apply for a Support Package. Each invited showcasing act can access a $500 grant to assist with accommodation and transportation costs associated with BIGSOUND 2023.
#Selection Process
The core purpose of the BIGSOUND Showcase program is to create business outcomes for showcasing artists by exposing them to the best of the Australian and international music industry.
The BIGSOUND 2023 Showcase programming team will assess applications by gauging what potential outcomes artists may achieve from showcasing and ensuring showcasing artists are capitalising on existing momentum. What have you achieved so far and what will you genuinely and realistically gain out of playing as part of the BIGSOUND 2023 showcasing lineup. This is important to keep in mind when applying.
BIGSOUND is unable to put every artist that applies on a stage, even though we wish we could! If you apply and you are unsuccessful, this is in no way a reflection of you or your music, it may just mean that we cannot provide you with the opportunities you are looking for.
When writing your application, reflect on the information above and make it the strongest it can be.
Good luck and we can’t wait to see you all in September at BIGSOUND 2023.
#Showcase Artist Benefits
Each showcasing act will receive a delegate pass for full conference and showcase access ($599)
Each performing band member will receive wristband access to all festival showcase performances ($109 per person)
Showcase in front of labels, booking agents, promoters, sync agents, managers, publicists and more
Tailored one-on-one meetings matching artists with industry based on their goals and current team structure
Artist access to official Opening and Closing events
Artist-facing workshops, demos and sessions accessible to all showcasing artists
Network with music industry buyers brought to BIGSOUND from around the globe
Opportunity to coordinate your own meetings with many industry figures in attendance at the event
Use the delegate portal to build your network and form new relationships before, during and after BIGSOUND week
Recognised on a national level as being market-ready – instantly on the radar of the entire national industry
