AAA Backstage Archive

One More Sleep 'til BIGSOUND

BIGSOUND 2014 officially opens tomorrow, welcoming music industry speakers and buyers from around the world for what is to be the biggest BIGSOUND to date.

With the BIGSOUND conference selling out last week, 2014 is shaping up to be a tipping point in BIGSOUND's narrative as an internationally revered music industry gathering. The three days and two nights to come will see over 150 speakers participate in nearly 40 sessions; 140 acts play 14 venues over 2 nights; as well as a cohort of thousands of music industry reps, artists and fans alike descend on Brisbane for what many are calling the Southern Hemisphere's South by Southwest.

This year has seen unprecedented support from industry partners. 'It's with huge gratitude that we welcome 2014's new BIGSOUND event partners. It's in no small part thanks to their support that this year's event takes on such a catalytic feeling. We expect record attendance for this week's event, and have already welcomed record buy-in from the industry.  Special thanks goes to major partners Virgin Australia and The Queensland Government,' said QMusic Executive Officer Denise Foley.

Over the past few years Virgin Australia has become the airline of choice for the national music industry, and being a major partner of BIGSOUND is just one part of the airline’s ongoing support for touring artists and industry. The airline provides an exclusive baggage offering for artists and has long supported the annual HOME compilation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists that will be launched during BIGSOUND.

BIGSOUND has been instrumental in delivering the partnership between Virgin Australia and the music industry through the offer of special excess baggage allowances. This has been a highly valued offer, with around 70% of Australian touring musicians choosing to travel with Virgin Australia for the majority of the time.  

Those lucky enough to have put their hands on conference passes before last week's sell-out are invited to check-in with Virgin Australia's unrivalled offerings for the Australian music sector at the conference centre BIGSOUND Lounge. Oztix joins Virgin Australia in the lounge, demonstrating the technology and service that makes them leaders in ticketing solutions.

Those unlucky enough to have missed out on conference passes can still join in the festivities over the following days! Limited BIGSOUND Live passes are still available, offering two huge nights of live music from some of the world's hottest new artists.

The brand new BIGSOUND Village welcomes all comers (18+), as the festival's heart and soul. Open 2-8pm Wednesday and Thursday, the outdoor Village bar brings together everything BIGSOUND - offering fans and delegates alike a much needed haven for plotting and warming up for the huge BIGSOUND Live nights ahead! Villagers can grab healthy eats from Grill'd and take a load off at the JBL Sound Lounge, and take in tunes courtesy of the Rdio Jukebox, or maybe pick out a tattoo or a fancy new do at the Sailor Jerry Airstream. The Levi’s Tailor Shop crafts one-off Levi’s pieces using vintage patches and more.

 BIGSOUND looks forward to welcoming all to 2014's event.