BIGSOUND 2026 - NIGHT ONE @ FORTITUDE VALLEY 1/09/26
Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
This year, BIGSOUND 2026, the industry music festival looking at new and emerging bands from across Australia and our near pacific neighbours celebrates its 25th birthday. The line-up is a fascinating mix of bands and musicians from a wide variety of genres: its like a pick and mix. Fans are able to sample showcases – and do a “suck and see”. The only limit is your sense of musical adventure.
BIGSOUND is a music industry initiative funded by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, the Queensland State Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland and many other state and foreign governments who provide grants and funding to bands and musicians to come to the musical playground of “Bris-Vegas” or Fortitude Valley for four days of sonic engagement, performance and open-minded meetings with others.
BIGSOUND has been responsible for highlighting new musicians and bringing the nation their “next favourite band” spreading the word about musicians such as Flume, Alex Lahey, Full Flower Moon Band, The Temper Trap, Ullah, Spacey Jane, Rageflower, Betty Taylor and Gang of Youths just to name a few.
This year bands and solo musicians will come from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and every state and territory of the country. BIGSOUND’s 100 list is a considered gathering of the best export-ready talent shaping the soundscape of Australia today.
As the Minister put it:
“BIGSOUND’s 25th anniversary is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together, inspiring creativity, and building connections,” stated Minister for Education and Arts, John-Paul Langbroek. “For two and a half decades, BIGSOUND has been a driving force behind the discovery of new talent, the growth of our music industry and showcasing Queensland as a vibrant cultural destination”.
So, here is a round-up of Day One.
It was a sharp start to BIGSOUND 2026. The evening started off with the fabulous emerging indie pop-rock four-piece band from Adelaide Pash at The Mall. What can I say the band (Jett Gazley, Orlando Elliott,Nic Bergoc and Daniel Maclean) kicked off the BIGSOUND party with their great radio friendly songs like ‘Down The Aisle’, ‘Collide’ and ‘Solid Ground’. And it didn’t hurt that they were a very attractive band. They played their breakout hits like ‘Tear In My heart’ and new songs to be released in the next few weeks like ‘Suffer’. The seven-song set also included ‘East End Girls” and closed out with ‘Tracy’.
There was no time to waste as I ran to the next showcase. Diver put on a great kitchen-sink indie rock ‘n’ roll set with a contagious looseness. The band that consists of Tom Evans, Ben Bray, Jake Green and Scott McQuilten put on a fantastic tight set and had a big crowd at The Garden.
Then, it was upstairs to catch some interesting experimental music. It was Kidskin at La La Land! Kidskin is Rahnee Bliss and her music is darkwave electronica. But what is unique about her sonic world was the organic sounds and performance. She is the kind of DJ or music producer you want to see – as the music was powerful and inventive. The visuals were pretty amazing as well and it was like an “acid trip”. It was a great set.
Then, it was a speed walk and avoid the traffic as I headed to The Brightside for Peach Fuzz. I had seen Melbourne’s indie-rock band Peach Fuzz support Chloe Parche a few months ago. I was very impressed. The band’s use of jangly guitar melodies, soaring dual male/female interwoven vocals, and emotionally charged song writing is just great electric high energy fun. The band members are Ben La (guitar/vocals), Lucinda Gray (guitar/vocals), Lewis Rich (bass) and James La (drums) andwhat a glorious sound they make. Peach Fuzz blend the grit of garage pop-rock with sun-soaked melodies as were evident in their songs ‘What Do You Want From This’, ‘Fall Right back To You’ ‘Monster In My Room’. Another blistering set!
Then, it was a brisk walk back to The Mall and Torres Strait Islander musician Zipporah had just started her set of smooth R&B sounds. Well, what a voice! Zipporah’s vocals were amazing. Her six-piece band supporting her were impressive as they built a sonic world of R&B, neo-soul and jazz. The large crowd went nuts for the songs and style. Her songs like ‘Some Typa Way’, ‘Say It Again’, ‘Consequences’ and the fantastic ‘White Flag’ were delivered with style. Impressive!
I hang around at The Mall and waited for Sydney based pop musician and song writer Salty (Kirsten Tsoltoudis) to make her BIGSOUND appearance. I had seen Salty recently supporting Peach PRC but I have been following her musical development over the last four years. She opened with a confident twelve song set that balanced rock guitar and drums with high-octane dance moves and direct emotionally lyricism. Salty brought her high-energy choreography, undeniable stage presence and infectious pop-rock music as she and her dancers Abbie and Tavinia delivered ‘She U In 3’ and then the high impact routine and song ‘Hollywood Baby’. Salty played her new songs ‘The Eye’, ‘Lucy’, ‘Touch Grass’, ‘Fear Is A Liar’ and closed out her set with her brilliant song ‘Cut U Off’. Beautiful, compelling and fun. The huge crowd that had gathered to watch agreed.
I walked fast to Wonderland to catch Toy Shaw. I was intrigued by the name. It was certainly different. The New Zealand musician Toy Shaw, now based in Melbourne, delivered the most unusual country adjacent set. From my perspective the melancholy soundscape made me think of classical gothic country especially when the cello and violin cried to the electric guitar riffs and plucked banjo. Toy Shaw’s songs were beautiful and fascinating. Banjo pop indeed!
I had 10 minutes to get to the Crowbar for Ladyhawke. I got myself a position at the front and watched the instruments being warmed up and realised that this performance was going to be very loud and the bass drum and synths were going to try and blow holes through us with soundwaves. Wow. It was loud! The seven-song set was a great mix of new and old tracks. New Zealand singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ladyhawke (aka Phillipa "Pip" Brown) brought the ‘In Stereo’ sound before she performed new songs ‘Bad To The Bone’ (released today), ‘Acid Rain’ and “Do You Surrender’. Ladyhawke let us know that a new album was coming. Then, she played the large crowd the classics: ‘Paris Is burning’, ‘Embrace’ and ‘My Delirium’. One very happy crowd!
BIGSOUND then had a run of DJs at various sites. I got myself to Eclipse to see Rromarin (aka Claire Rayner). Her ethereal and sweet dance-pop sound was great. I wondered over to The Brightside where outdoors the Perth DJ and producer Belac played another DJ set of tracks with four-on-the-floor beat and repetitive melodies. It was followed inside by another electronic with rock guitar accents set from New Zealand, now Melbourne based, musician Dœgægé (aka Caleb Doe). His set could best be described as an eclectic mix of pop-punk, shoegaze, and indie rock, that he has creatively labelled as ‘goblin bliss’.
If you weren’t exhausted or tired, there was a not-so-secret set from John Butler Trio at TheBeaumont at 12am. It was now Wednesday and time for bed. Rest was need to do this all again tomorrow!
