Bigsound Live 2013 Tickets & Info

Australia's global music industry gathering BIGSOUND has thrown its cards on the table with the announcement of final speakers for 2013 as well as the unveiling of the BIGSOUND festival program.

The event, held in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley on September 10-13, is pleased and honoured to announce an exclusive keynote interview session and performance from the artist Rolling Stone dubbed Australia's most important voice, Gurrumul. Appearing alongside his friends (and Australian of the Year nominees), Skinnyfish Music's Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen, the session will unpack the complexity and artistry behind Gurrumul. It will explore both the culture and the business decisions which led to a blind Indigenous prodigy who writes and sings in language making the leap from remote Elcho Island, to performing at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and achieving a couple of multi-platinum albums along the way.

Gurrumul will join fellow keynotes Billy Bragg, Amanda Palmer, Kasey Chambers, Regurgitator, John Watson (Eleven Music) and Simon Raymonde (Bella Union) as well as BIGSOUND Music+Design's just announced keynote speakers, Nick Cave (live via satellite), Vello Virkhaus (V-Squared Labs), and John Warwicker (Tomato).

triple j have also announced the winners of their Unearthed competition today with MTNS and Major Leagues to take the stage alongside some of the country's best up and coming acts.

Over fifty new conference speakers have also been unveiled from across the globe including Kobalt Managing Director Paul Hitchman (UK), Folk Alliance Executive Director Louis Meyers (USA), Sony/ATV A&R Jacob Fain (US) and Four Artists booking agent Henning Ahrens (Germany).

With the unveiling of the festival program, punters will now be able to plan their nights (Sept 11-12), with the schedules of all twelve venues now live at www.bigsound.org.au. The lineup includes a new inthemix stage focusing on electronic acts along with the return of the triple j Unearthed, CMC Country & Roots and Channel [V] stages as well as the Oztix Bakery Lane outdoor venue. With a feast of music on offer from Fortitude Valley's best venues, the eagle eyes will spot some previously unannounced bands, including Mama Kin, Mitzi, Adalita and more as they trawl through the impossible task of planning the biggest nights of live music all year.

"There are only five weeks to go until we all get together in Fortitude Valley. I couldn't be more excited about the line up of artists and industry that we have to share with you. The music and conference programs have come together better than we ever could have hoped!" said Graham Ashton, BIGSOUND Executive Programmer.

In 2013 BIGSOUND transforms Brisbane's entertainment precinct into a festival experience like no other, as punters, artists and music industry alike come together to take in the most exciting new acts and discover the next BIG things. Each year the event holds new surprises, as the BIGSOUND monster grows. Whether it's the new Music+Design conference and its Artisan Beer+Design market or its ever-impressive list of artists playing the BIGSOUND festival program, there's something for every music lover to explore.