Just like that, another BIGSOUND is done and dusted. By now, the hangovers are gone and the inbox is nearly cleared so it's time to reflect on the mammoth week that was.
The acts that the industry can't get enough of...
1. Cry Club
We're taking a note from one of our excellent BIGSOUND review team for this one: "It's official - the word is definitely out that Cry Club absolutely rule". After last year's BIGSOUND appearance was impacted by health issues, this year's event saw them back better than ever with matching suits, a drummer, a stack of industry buzz and all.
2. Bakers Eddy
Look, any band who bring a cactus up on stage with them are alright by us. The four-piece signed with Ivy League Records just a couple of months ahead of their BIGSOUND appearance. A very smart move by the label because everyone wanted a piece of Bakers Eddy by week's end.
3. Hooligan Hefs
There wasn't all that much you could find out about Hooligan Hefs ahead of his one BIGSOUND appearance but with nearly 2.5 million YouTube streams on his track No Effect alone, that was enough for most people to show up at his only showcase on Tuesday night. And that appearance was more than enough for everyone to keep talking about him throughout the week. We know this sparked label interest.
4. P-Unique
We fell in love with P-Unique a while back (check out the video premiere for Effort here) and it seems that the whole of BIGSOUND has too. Not just an excellent recording artist, P-Unique follows it up with her live shows, getting the crowd dancing, chanting and even FaceTiming those at home. Across her two shows for the week, this Melbourne artist certainly gained a stack of industry attention.
5. Gordon Koang
In 2014, Gordon Koang came to Australia to seek asylum from the war in Sudan. At this year's BIGSOUND, the now Melbourne-based artist took out the Levi's Music Prize, picking $30,000 in prizes, including $25,000 in cash and $5,000 to assist with touring from Stage & Screen. Later that day, Sub Pop Records' A&R rep Bekah Zietz Flynn couldn't have spoken more highly about Koang or his impact on this year's festival during the 20 Questions panel. Find out more about him here.
6. Spacey Jane
This Western Australian four-piece came into BIGSOUND hot and left at a blistering temperature, with full houses for every show they played across the week. We know lots of industry heavyweights who managed to see them multiple times in the past week. So don't be surprised if there's a lot of news coming from camp Spacey Jane soon.
7. Stevan
Stevan's Tuesday night set at Ric's Big Backyard drew a reasonable crowd at first but as soon as the Wollongong artist kicked off his show, the space got fuller and fuller and fuller. There wasn't an industry insider not talking about this 18-year-old throughout the week and we even heard people fighting about which of his two singles is better.
8. Wolfjay
We couldn't wait to see Wolfjay ahead of BIGSOUND and let's just say, their first night set at The Flying Cock (complete with drummer Andreanna Massacci) totally blew us away. Fast forward to their Thursday night set and we spotted one very important publishing head chatting to this Melbourne artist post-show.
9. Egoism
"Did you see Egoism?" "Did you see Egoism?" "Did you see Egoism?" - literally everyone we spoke to on Thursday morning. This then resulted in people struggling to get into their Thursday night show, such was the hype. The Sydney group describe themselves as "pristine pop melodies on a lush shoegaze backdrop" and we describe them as "a must see next time they're in your town".
10. Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers
It's a 10/10 name for an 11/10 band. This Canberra four-piece have been steadily building a reputation for themselves supporting acts like Slowly Slowly over the past few years but it was Thursday night's set that will really have people talking (even those waiting in the stairwell to get in).
Honourable mentions
Look, we couldn't do a buzz list without mentioning Tones & I. If there was anyone that everyone was talking about throughout the week, it was this Melbourne-via-Byron Bay phenom. Read all about her Wednesday night set here. Kymie, Hannah Blackburn, The Lazy Eyes and Miiesha all had people chatting throughout the week - we know some of these will be announcing deals very soon.
Lauren Baxter - Brisbane Editor
Top Acts
- Closing the festival with a spiritual awakening from Electric Fields.
- Crying at Cry Club.
- Time-travelling to CBGB for Johnny Hunter’s set.
- Watching Private Function set their guitarist on fire and putting it out with Mountain Dew.
- Bakers Eddy smashing through a ripper set even with a torn up hand - how many stitches again?!
- Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers owning their amazing name.
- Jamie Timony from These New South Whales feeding the hungry crowd with marshmallows from his bum bag
- Lucy Peach dedicating her final track to anyone who’s ever been premenstrual.
- We’d add Spacey Jane if we had a chance to get into the room - huge!
Conference highlight
Vivien Goldman gave the punkest talk we’ve ever seen. We left feeling empowered, inspired and damn ready to take over the world.
Act that will blow up post-BIGSOUND
Tones & I blew up pre-BIGSOUND so she’s the obvious choice. Elsewhere I think you can often tell by who’s in the room at BIGSOUND so keep your eye on Loser, Stevan, Wolfjay and Miiesha.
2019 highlight
Listening to inspiring conversations about facilitating change. The sense of community. Seeing someone taking the time amid the chaos to sit and read my feature with Bethany Cosentino in this month’s mag was special. Made all the hard work we put into coverage worth it.
Neil Griffiths - Head Of Online News & Content | Host & Executive Producer Of 'The Green Room with Neil Griffiths'
Top acts
Wolfjay
One of the first acts I saw on night one and they completely blew me away. Incredible vocals, a brilliant drummer and sounds that reminded me of literally an moody montage in The OC. Seriously, if The OC was still on, Wolfjay would already have made it in the US. Keep an eye on Wolfjay, big things are coming.
Tones & I
Was lucky enough to (literally) squeeze into Tones' only public performance of the week and it didn't disappoint. The set showed off Tones' vocals and a special mention needs to be given to the 30+ kids who wore matching tracksuits and haunted my dreams with their almost-possessed like dance moves. Tones & I is already on her way, we were just lucky to catch her once more before she really takes off.
Electric Fields
No surprises here. The on-stage chemistry between Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross is infectious and their sound is well past perfected. Can we just send them to Eurovision to represent Australia already?
Bakers Eddy
If you can't watch Bakers Eddy and have a good time then you, my friend, need a break. From the minute they hit the stage their energy is sky high and you won't be able to wipe the smile off your face. Frontman Ciarann Babbington also deserves an award for battling through the week with an injured hand and a stupid amount of stitches. You the real MVP, Ciarann.
Stevan
Stevan will impress you very quickly and then make you immediately bummed out that he's killing it at 18 years old. His songs are catchy, he is as charismatic as you'd expect and best of all he is humble. Stevan is still learning the game but it won't be much longer before he takes over.
Act that will blow up post-BIGSOUND
It's already happened - Tones & I. Otherwise, Stevan is going to perfect his game in the coming years and blow a lot of people away very quickly after that
2019 highlight
Recording over 20 interviews in less than three days on no sleep and not crying. Otherwise, seeing the Fortitude Music Hall in action. Easily has to be one of the country's best live venues.
Jessica Dale - Assistant Editor/Social Media Coordinator
Top acts
Johnny Hunter
Whatever brand of '80s-tinged garage pub rock Sydney group Johnny Hunter are selling, I am buying. Catching their Wednesday night set at Family confirmed something that I suspected for a while: that Johnny Hunter are very worth the hype.
P-Unique
Goddammit, P-Unique - WHAT.A.SHOW! I've just had the crowd singing "Whip, whip" in my head on loop for three days...
DREGG
If you haven't caught Melbourne group DREGG and their heavily costumed take on nu-metal you, my friend, are missing out. This group are set to torch their scene and rebuild it in a totally inclusive and positive way and I am here for it.
Bakers Eddy
Bakers Eddy kicked off their set by bringing a cactus on stage with them. As both a gardener and a music fan, this scored a very big tick of approval from me.
Stevan
This Wollongong artist takes out my award for the nicest person I met during BIGSOUND, as well as sharing of one of the most impressive sets of the week.
Act that will blow up post-BIGSOUND
Bakers Eddy are funny, engaging and put on a great show - 2020 is looking real good for them.
2019 highlight
Getting to finally see Cry Club perform. Potentially finding some of my new favourite bands in Johnny Hunter and DREGG. Working on some very epic episodes of The Green Room With Neil Griffiths. Eating at Super Bowl.
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