BIGSOUND 2026 - NIGHT THREE @ THE FORTITUDE VALLEY 03/09/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi Photos Rod Fletcher & Steph Ure

Well, Day Three had all sorts of surprises with Bella Amor playing a set at Brunswick Street Mall at 3pm and comments from people who were there – “it was awesome” – damn having to go to work!Then, Live Nation had their ‘Ones To Watch’ Show Case at The Outpost. Then, the last scheduled sets were on until 12am.

This year BIGSOUND had over 100 musicians performing across the event. It was impossible to see everyone. You have to pick and be happy with the choices you make. For unless you have Hermione Granger’s famous magical device of a ‘Time-Turner’ – it is not possible to see everyone.

But, even walking around or being at the right place at the right time, “People” spotting was a thing. During the week JohnButler, Paul Kelly and Nikki Webster were performing and around. Musicians MAY-A and Siobhan Cotchin were performing or soaking up the vibes.Local musicians were out in force and it was great to see them relaxing and enjoying being with their colleagues and friends. Seen around actively supporting others were Worm Girlz, Bella Amor, Lyric, Salt & Steel and Felony.

My Day Three started with Live Nation’s and American Apparel’s ‘Ones To Watch’ Show Case at The Outpost. The guests were treated to hospitality and to sets by three emerging musicians and the cusp of the next stage of their careers: Brisbane’s own Jem Cassar-Daley, Sunny Bank’s Eli Win and the returning Melbourne based musician from her Chinese tour via Melbourne to Brisbane Holly Hebe.

There is good reason why Jem Cassar-Daley is a musician to watch. Her song writing is very good and has already won awards. She put on a showcase set with her band to celebrate the one-week release of her debut album ‘Tattoos Used To Come Off In The Pool’. Her classy and understated set meant that the songs and the genuine performance of them carried real intent. Jem Cassar-Daley delivered the songs ‘Speak Now’, ‘Kiss Me Like Your leaving’, ‘Into Sunsets’ and the impressive lyricism of the ‘King of Disappointment’ that completely won the crowd over.

Next up to The Outpost stage was Eli Wan. He was surfed into the stage by his friends to his waiting DJ. Then the pair kicked off their set with dance-pop club music. It was very gimmicky but the crowd seemed to enjoy the chaos and the dance circle pit, the bouncing and shouting along to nonsense lyrics. The younger crowd loved it but it wasn’t my thing.

Melbourne’s Holly Hebe was up next. She had flown back to BIGSOUND from China via Melbourne to get to Brisbane for this exclusive performance. Holly Hebe is a pop singer-songwriter who has a careful observed lyrical focus on the minutiae of life as can be heard in ‘Swimsuit’ and ‘Guilty’. I have seen Holly Hebe perform live on at least five occasions and her live sets and ‘comfort level’ on stage improves every time. She recently cemented her first-ever number one album on the ARIA Australian Album Charts with the release of her latest EP ‘Mood Ring’. I bought the vinyl. The set shedelivered with ‘Maybe I'm Growing’ and ‘Mood Ring’ proved the songs on her EP were made for the stage.

After the Live Nation event, I took myself and my schedule and headed off to The Mall to commence this last epic day. I wanted to have another look and listen to Melbourne singer and songwriter Lara Buchanan. Hermusical style is pop-rock with emotive lyricism. Her unique voice and style drew me in. She had an adoring fan base waiting to hear songs like ‘Thorns’, ‘Bird Cage’, ‘Shattered Glass’, ‘Spine’, ‘Only Once’ and ‘The Sea Cliffs’. Lara Buchanan’s songs express the experiences of young adults navigating change. It was great that after the set, Lara Buchanan took photos with her fans until the next band was about to start.

Until that next musician was due to perform at The Mall, I walked briskly to The Tomcat to see Adelaide band Blinder. The band has a unique delivery of heavy music: glitchy electronica with heavy metalcore that moves into and out of shoegaze territory with fabulous airy guitars with male and female vocals weaving together to bring a ‘dreamcore’ sound. Even though Ella Phillips was unwell and losing her voice, her beautiful vocals added distinct quality to the band’s songs and performance. Great performance!

Then, I walked quickly up to see Tasmanian musician, Grace Chia at Wonderland. She had backing tracks to support her vocal delivery along with her two backing singers and dancers. The music was modern R&B with accents around hip-hop and spoken word delivery. She delivered a tight mix and R&B and a few thumping hip-hop songs with incredibly technical rhymes, rhythm and intensity.

I headed back to The Mall to see and hear, the spectacle and voice, that is Papua New Guinean musician Ngaiire (with that hat) and her fabulous band. The photographers were going to have some troubles with that outfit and I was wondering how Ngaiire was not melting in the heat. Ngaiire just sang and delivered songs like ‘Afar’ and ‘Love Casino’ as sheblended contemporary sounds with refined orchestral arrangements in a celebration of musical fusion. It was real soul music with added accents of jazz, folk and blues. Ngaiire’s set was a great taster and one of the most nourishing you'll ever get to see as the large crowd grooved along.

Then, speed walking was needed as I headed to The Brightside and straight into the set being delivered by the fabulous and fantastic Jimi The Kween. I have seen Jimi The Kween may times at The Wickham, supporting the Sugababes, at Groovin’ The Moo and in various guises as: DJ, MC, drag performer but Jimi The Kween shines when singing and delivering their own original songs. It was straight to the ‘outside’ dancefloor as the crowd got hot and sweaty to bangers like ‘Give It To Me’, ‘Starlight’ and the riot of ‘Venus Bitch’. So much fun!

Then, it was ‘inside’ to see the Newcastle punk band Cat Piss. The venue was bathed in dark red light as the controlled chaos started. The music was fast and furious! It was great to see an authentic punk band like CatPiss. It made my old punk heart glad to see this young band live the punk ethos as they delivered ‘Not Dogshit’, ‘Cooper Bones’ and the popular track ‘Coffin Nails’ amongst others during their blistering set. Impressive!

I know I was at the Crowbar for the first Ladyhawke set. But this magical “thing” happened and there was a gap in the schedule and as I was already at The Brightside – I stayed. And let’s face it who doesn’t want to sing and dance along Phillipa ‘Pip’ Brown’s fabulous songs: ‘In Stereo’, ‘Bad To The Bone’, ‘Acid Rain’, ‘Do You Surrender’ and then go nuts dancing and singing along loudly to ‘Paris Is Burning’, ‘Embrace’ and ‘My Delirium’. So, I did!

Then, I had to run really fast, and the younger photographers had a laugh with a “run, run!” as I raced past them to catch Sidney at the Black Bear Lodge. And I made it! The song writers were in “da house” and brought the ruckus energy and high-impact dance moves to a set that was more intimate and confessional. See Bella Amor and friends for an explanation of the dance floor moves that seemed incongruous but Sidney loved it.

Sidney is a song writer and her lyricism was highly appreciated by the crowd. She also has the most amazing voice and her music has the delicate folk pop melodies with country adjacent musicality carrying the themes that cover loneliness, heartbreak and mental health issues. It was a stunning set from Sidney and her band. Song writing goodness!

Then, it was a short walk next door to country singer and song writer Hayley Jensen. Thank God! The more mature photographers and other reviewers were all starting to look “tired and emotional” and the heat was getting to everyone except the huge crowd at Chattahooche Joe’s Bar who were ready to dance the night away.

Now there is country music, and then there is different country music that is the same with variation.And Hayley Jensen brought the boot scootin’ ‘dancey’ variation to Brisbane’s BIGSOUND. The cowboy hats, the rhinestones, the dance moves of ‘Giddy Up Cowboy’, ‘Stomping Ground’, ‘Outskirts’ and ‘Dirt Rich’and the fun were wrapped in Hayley Jensen’s professional and assured set. ‘Burn It Down’ indeed!

It was a quick walk and a “No. You can’t bring sugar drink that is sustaining you inside” from Security. It meant a walk to the bin down the street to get rid of it before walking back up the street again and having a second go at getting inside to see Brisbane’s Supernew at The Prince Consorts Hotel’s Garden Stage. I got there just in time for the sound engineer to almost take out our hearing with a sharp blast of very painful feedback. Ouch! But everything was settled quickly for the set. The vibe was dark, in dark red with flashes of white as Supernew brought the raw dose of alternative rock with added shoegaze in their songs ‘Okay’ and ‘Happy’. Supernew created a huge sound, with the bass echoing through the venue and the guitars squalling and demanding attention, it was exactly the kind of set that makes BIGSOUND memorable.

As I staggered towards The Wickham to see Piper Butcher and her chilled country music fresh from the Gympie Muster, I knew the night was over as my brain was starting to give up and complain. Her set had just started and it was 11.25pm. But it was so worth staying to hear Piper Butcher’s songs andvoice. It was her crystal-clear vocals that became the focal point of her set. And she had an easy, unforced way with the crowd and engaged them quickly that made her performance stand out. The atmosphere was happy and grooved along. Piper Butcher saved her biggest moment for the finale, holding an impressively long high note and landing it perfectly. And, that was the best way to end the BIGSOUND experience.

I just want to thank all the musicians for the performances over the last four days. Also, my thanks go out to the volunteers that make BIGSOUND work. For those musicians I missed, I will try and catch you when you come to Brisbane or surrounds to perform next time. May everyone stay safe, well and creative!