Julia Jacklin, trials, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard & More Added To BIGSOUND 2026 Lineup

There’s also a host of international guest speakers, including people from Pitchfork, Bonnaroo, Soho House, MOM+POP (US), The Great Escape (UK) and SXSW (US).

BIGSOUND 2026 is pumped to announce a stack of international industry guests to this year’s festival, along with the first wave of Artist In Conversation for their 25th anniversary edition this Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 September.

There is a strong focus on connection and networking, with the international delegates including 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.

On the Aussie front, Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will take to the stage to reflect on their careers, Julia Jacklin will join the BIGSOUND Artist in Conversation lineup and award-winning Ngarrindjeri hip hop producer, composer and innovator, trials will also be speaking.

“BIGSOUND has always been a place where real connections happen, and this year we’re focused on creating even more opportunities for Australian and New Zealand artists and industry to connect with each other and the global market,” says Kristy Ellis, Interim CEO, QMusic.

“The program focuses on the conversations the industry is having right now — how the business is changing, how we stay ahead, and how Australian and New Zealand artists continue to grow on the global stage.”

READ MORE: Make Music Day Returns This Month with Over 360 Local Performers Across 40 Venues

BIGSOUND 2026 will again feature the popular Roundtables, Conversation Corners, Artist Hub, Content House, Delegate Hub, and Goolwal Goolwal, (Yagara language for BIGSOUND) - BIGSOUND’s First Nations-led program bringing free cultural experiences by day and deadly tunes by night.

Along with the conference side of things, BIGSOUND 2026 will also showcase the BIGSOUND 100 - made up of Australian and New Zealand acts ready to capitalise on the momentum and opportunities offered through the BIGSOUND Artist Hub, Content House, tailored meetings, mentoring and performance schedules.

The full BIGSOUND program will launch in July, with early bird tickets on sale now via bigsound.org.au.

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.