Apply to Play
Be a part of BIGSOUND 2020
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Applications Closed
Key dates, eligibility, feedback FAQs
#Selection Process
This year, BIGSOUND 2020 presents Australian artists with the extremely rare and valuable opportunity to showcase their wares to a national music industry audience and open digital doors to international opportunities.
The core purpose of BIGSOUND 2020 is to create business outcomes for showcasing artists by exposing them to the best of the Australian music industry.
This year it has become more important than ever for Australian artists to increase their reach and broaden their network. BIGSOUND 2020 aims to assist showcasing artists with achieving their goals and taking their career to the next level. Whether that be growing your team, expanding your fanbase, or announcing your arrival, BIGSOUND will foster these opportunities.
This year due to restrictions beyond our control, BIGSOUND 2020 will have a reduced capacity. This means fewer artists on fewer stages and a reduced audience capacity. However, this will lead to a higher chance of exposure and increased opportunities with key Australian industry.
The BIGSOUND 2020 Festival 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 gain out of BIGSOUND 2020? This is important to keep in mind when applying.
With so few showcasing, 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. 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 October at BIGSOUND 2020.
#Application FAQs
Key Dates
Tue 14 July: Applications open on the BIGSOUND website
11:59pm (AEST), Tue 4 Aug: Artist applications CLOSED
Late-August: Successful applicants notified
Wed 21 + Thu 22 Oct: BIGSOUND - acts must be available to be in Brisbane.
Eligibility + Travel Restrictions
Due to current travel restrictions, only Australian artists are eligible to apply at this time. This may be subject to change.
Who should apply to play?
Australian artists are encouraged to apply.
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.
Is there an application fee to apply?
There is no fee to apply to be a BIGSOUND showcasing artist.
How will my application be assessed?
Our aim for BIGSOUND 2020 is to assist showcasing artists with achieving their goals and taking their career to the next level. Whether that be growing your team, expanding your fanbase, or announcing your arrival, we want to foster these opportunities.
Now more than ever we need to focus on outcomes for our showcasing artists. This means the BIGSOUND 2020 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 2020? This is important to keep in mind when applying.
Will I get feedback on my application?
The BIGSOUND team are 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. 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.
Is travel assistance available?
There is no travel assistance available from BIGSOUND and each band will be responsible for landing themselves in Brisbane.
How many times will each successful act perform?
Each act will be offered two performance slots.
Will successful acts receive passes?
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.
Please contact info@qmusic.com.au or call (07) 3257 0013 for assistance
Outcomes#BIGSOUNDstories
2006-2019Previous Years
Photography Credits:
Kymie - Lachlan Douglas, DVNA - Bobby Rein Photography, Imbi the Girl - Bobby Rein Photography, Egoism - Bianca Holderness, Stevan - Bianca Holderness, Confidence Man - Jess Gleeson