Full BIGSOUND 2026 Program Revealed

Celebrating 25 years of music discovery and long-term creative connections, BIGSOUND has locked in its final program ahead of this year's event.

In just three weeks, the music industry will descend upon Fortitude Valley in Magandjin/Brisbane from Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 September for four days of showcases, workshops, panels and more.

Leading this final round of special guests is BIGSOUND veteran, Australian songwriting icon Paul Kelly, who will appear in conversation with renowned ABC journalist Sarah Kanowski for a discussion that unpacks the importance of the songwriter and songwriting in shaping our music culture.

"As APRA celebrates 100 years of supporting Australian songwriters, composers and music publishers, and BIGSOUND clocks up 25 years of showcasing the best of our music industry, it seemed only fitting that we bring out one of Australia’s most beloved songwriters, Paul Kelly, as part of the celebrations to talk about Australian songwriting and its impact both here and around the world," said Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS.

Along with Kelly, more than 100 industry guests have been announced today, including Annabelle Herd (CEO, ARIA), Hans Schafer (SVP Global Touring, Live Nation), Pete Murray (Artist), Kimberley Galceran (Music Director, Dark Mofo) and Van Picken (Global Head Music Strategy, TEG), who all represent different aspects of the music industry.

Also revealed were a stack of new panels, including Building Like Bad Bunny, which dissects the rise of the Puerto Rican star and Latin music, and the return of dedicated hubs offering delegates and artists the opportunity to immerse themselves in spaces tailor-made for one-on-one connection.

BIGSOUND’s Ideas and Innovation Hub features a plethora of fantastic guests, while the BIGSOUND Artist Hub presented by Spotify and the BIGSOUND Delegate Hub presented by Oztix offer artists and delegates a place to mingle. The BIGSOUND Content House also returns, creating a space for content creators, media, and the music community alike.

READ MORE: Semaphore Music Festival 2026 Lineup Revealed

When it comes to music, this year's BIGSOUND 100 showcase highlights some incredible talent, including Ngaiire, Jem Cassar-Daley, Daily J, Sam Fischer, Ladyhawke, Jack Botts, Any Young Mechanic, Public Figures, Akosia, Zach Stephenson, Lara Buchanan and many more.

On the speaker front, the likes of Partisan Records Head of A&R Chris Fraser, Mom+Pop Music Co-Owner Thaddeus Rudd, Pitchfork Associate Staff Writer Nina Corcoran and Bonnaroo Music Executive and Talent Buyer Bryan Benson will be joined by Maggie Collins, Nicholas Di Lorenzo, David Cook, Lucy Buckeridge and more.

Interim CEO of QMusic, Kristy Ellis, said BIGSOUND's 25th anniversary program reflects the event’s continued evolution as both a launchpad for artists and a driving force for the Australian music industry.

“For 25 years, BIGSOUND has helped accelerate careers, create opportunities, and shape the future of Australian music. This year’s BIGSOUND is about celebrating that legacy while continuing to invest in what’s next.

“We’re showcasing the next generation of artists, providing more support than ever before, continuing the important work of the Goolwal Goolwal program to elevate First Nations voices, and creating new opportunities for meaningful industry connections. Whether you’re an artist, industry professional or music fan, BIGSOUND 2026 offers an experience unlike anything else in Australia, and we’re excited to have a few special surprises in store as part of the celebrations.”

BIGSOUND is held at Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley precinct and runs from Tuesday 1 September to Friday 4 September. Ticketing and lineup information available at bigsound.org.au.