BIGSOUND 2025
Written by Tamara Colebrook, September 1 -5, 2025
What is Bigsound?
BIGSOUND is a Brisbane based Music and Creative industry networking and showcasing event. This year Bigsound has once again gone above and beyond, showcasing 130 artists, 100 industry speakers, 70 conference sessions and 18 stages.
I attended BIGSOUND 2025 for the first time, with a 3 day showcase pass, allowing me to experience the networking event as a general patron. The 3 day pass gave me access to all public show cases as well as a couple public networking events during the day time.
The unofficial week started off on Monday the 1st of September with Mates Sound showcasing some of the local talent including Bridge Dog, Platonic Sex, Dogworld, Ringlets, Effe and Strayfold.
A line up that displays just a taste of the week to come. Platonic Sex continuously gets better every time they play, their sound encapsulating the entirety of Felons Barrel Hall and even moving some patrons to tears. I was also lucky to catch the beginning of Dogworld's set, their music is a calculated blend of post-punk and indie rock, their track ‘in my pocket’, is their latest release and is a must add to your weekly playlists. Mates Sound held a calm space for people to prepare and mingle with others and Brisbane's talented musicians to show off their skills before the eye of the Bigsound storm swept them up in the coming days. Bigsound 2025 is jam-packed and I couldn't wait to be engulfed by the immense talent throughout the week.
Day One
BIGSOUND Day One started off with a bang! I attended the Women and Gender Diverse Folk in Music morning Mixer, where I was able to network and put names to faces within the industry. The brunch started with a beautiful opening song encouraging us all to take the time to meet new people and interact. The lyrics told us to support each other in helping further develop ourselves as an industry and community. Although I know many creative people, myself included, sometimes find it hard to put themselves forward, Bigsound created an environment that welcomed and encouraged just that. The designs, marketing and interactive assets, such as bingo cards during the mixer helped create fun interaction between all subdivisions of the music industry. These assets made something that felt daunting really easy and I had the pleasure of networking with Melbourne's SYN Media, Publicist, managers and other emerging artists. My first impression of BIGSOUND, although overwhelming, made me eager to get even more involved.
With the morning activities complete I made my way home to get ready for three jam packed nights of showcases. During night one I saw 6 bands: Rage Flower, Le Shiv, Emeere, Tiana Khasi, Buddy Knox and Loose Content.
Rage Flower - As I walked towards the Black Bear Lodge I could already anticipate the energy of Rage Flowers' performance as I saw the number of people waiting by the door. My suspicions were happily proven correct once Rage Flower’s set began. Her music creates a wall of sound, filling the room with smooth vocals and heart driven lyrics. Rage Flower, held herself with ease and professionalism and created a space that allowed the audience to fully connect with her songs.
Le Shiv - Le Shiv played on the Brightside indoor stage, to a sea of patrons pushed all the way to the bar. The environment was overwhelming with the crowd's passion and voices. Le Shiv held the stage in the palm of their hand singing all their hits and getting the crowd to interact with ease. I had heard of Le Shiv before but this was the first time seeing them live and I couldn't have been happier, their music mixing a blend of indie and alternative rock. Le Shiv’s song, ‘Remember’ was added straight to my favorite songs, and I can't wait to see what else they create.
Emeere - Emeere creates a beautiful mix of soul and pop. Her vocals accompanied by harmonies whilst surrounded by a supporting drum beat and keys, enhancing her story telling. The raw grit of her song ‘Leave You Like A Man’, leaves an imprint on you and makes you want to come back for more. Emeere has a clear visual and vocal aesthetic that fits her perfectly. She's got the looks, the vocals and the stories, she is one to watch out for within the rising Australian pop scene.
Tiana Khasi - Tiana Khasi opened her set with a beautiful welcome to the country. Her music is a mix of soul, pop and spoken word. I had never heard of Tiana Khasi before and I am glad that I caught her set. She owned the stage with strong clean vocals and worked beautifully with her back up singers who produced killer harmonies. Tiana Khasi is a beautiful story teller, describing her journey as an artist and working through life.
Buddy Knox - Buddy Knox brought the blues back to Brisbane. Performing at the Sound Garden, Knox brought in a strong crowd. Drawing people in with his storytelling and unique sound, mixing traditional instruments such as a didgeridoo, with overdriven guitar, trumpets and soulful vocals. Buddy Knox created such fun and infectious emotions that set up a positive atmosphere for the rest of the night.
Loose Content - Loose Content played at the Brightside indoor stage and took me by surprise. Loose Content is an Indie Rock band hailing from Melbourne, a three piece composed of a vocalist / bassist, guitarist and drummer. The band may be small but their sound is big! Although they didn't draw as big a crowd as other bands I definitely think they deserve the attention, through their use of dynamics and texture they are able to create pieces to encapsulate the room. They played an unreleased song ‘ swoon’ and I can’t wait till it's out. Starting as an acoustic piece and building into a full band production, I can't stop thinking about it.
Day Two
Day two came around as soon as the first! Feedback for any BIGSOUND goers please wear comfortable shoes because you will be running from one place to another. I made that mistake the first night. I would also suggest making a schedule as well. I had mine already planned and was using the bigsound app, but found that going on and off my phone killed the battery fast. So bring a battery pack or do as I did and hand write it in a note book so you have the satisfaction of crossing every band you see off.
Although I wasn't heavily involved in the daily functions of BIGSOUND I still found the showcases a great way to network. I found myself knowing a lot more people than I thought, or even just striking conversation up with people at the same showcase. Although I was extremely nervous in most cases, I found everyone in all the spaces were very welcoming and eager to get to know you and even tell you about themselves. Everyone was there to support themselves as well as everyone around them, and that is the foundation of BIGSOUND.
Within night two I was able to see another 5 bands: Pisco Sour, The Stamps, Coast Arcade, The Tullamarines and Lazy Ghost.
Pisco Sour - Pisco Sour is a band that grabs your attention and runs with it. Their front man opened their set by walking in on his hands and jumping up ready to sing his first song. I had never heard of Pisco Sour before I saw them live and I would highly recommend it to anyone who asks. Pisco Sour hold a unique alternative rock sound and are able to work a room like nobody else, their song, Miss Medusa, would have to be my go to recommendation.
The Stamps - The Stamps are a female fronted three piece band, their songs are heavily built around their amazing harmonies. Their performance was one of my favourites over all three days of BIGSOUND. The performance was so raw, displaying their songs in such a unique way with all three of them surrounding one condenser microphone. The room was quiet with only the intent of listening to every word that these three girls sang. ‘Maira’ is a must listen too by this beautiful band.
Coast Arcade - Coast Arcade is a New Zealand based alternative rock band, with guitar driven tracks their music is for anyone looking for something a little heavier. The band as a whole play so nicely together, every song is so clean and played with so much passion. They have just released their latest release ‘Cycles’ which is one not to be missed.
The Tullamarines - OH MY GOD The Tullamarines are something! I mean this in the best connotations of the word. The Tullamarines played the Brightside outdoor stage and they left everything up there. As I watched them I found out they were one of the only bands I had seen throughout the week who shared the limelight with all its members. Each member had a song they took lead on and they all crushed it! My favourite song from their set would have to be, ‘Running On Empty’.
Lazy Ghost - Lazy Ghost, is a Surf Post Punk Band that creates songs that make you just want to dance. When I think of Lazy Ghost I picture a long road trip with a killer playlist. They are a four piece band from Byron Bay with a strong stage presence and a sense of humor. My top pick from their set was ‘Holy Moly, Rock n’Rolly, Guacamole’.
As day two came to an end, I found myself thinking about the accessibility of BIGSOUND as a whole. BIGSOUND is a great opportunity to showcase emerging artists, although as a general admission patron I sometimes felt a little excluded. Although there are many networking events, the majority of them are only accessible to those who held delegate passes and unfortunately this pass was out of my financial capabilities. For those who held the passes, Bigsound is a major YES for opportunity and networking, but in contrast I believe that this event is meant to help make music more accessible, and if it is only the same number of people that can afford to be in the room then the music scene won’t be able to expand and thrive in different environments.
Day Three
Day Three rolled around and I couldn't wait to see what the night would hold. Although at this stage my social battery was slowly dying, I was so keen to see some of the bands of the night! On the third night I was able to see Badassmutha, Down and Out, Horse, and Sunsick Daisy.
Badassmutha - I always LOVE watching Badassmutha perform. She has such a strong persona and means every word that she sings. Throughout BIGSOUND for her performances she held themes, gaining the audience's interaction and attention. I cannot put enough praise towards Badassmutha and her band. My favourite song of her set would have to be one of her latest releases, ‘BUB’.
Down and Out - Down and Out scratched the early 2000s emo part of my brain and I loved every second of it. Their sound can be described as Pop Punk, driven by over distorted guitar and classic, Tom heavy drums. They create songs that will be stuck in your head for days. My top pick of theirs would have to be, ‘Guilty As Hell’.
Horse - Horse is an Indie Punk Rock Band hailing from Newcastle NSW, their song feels like you are starring out a window pretending you are in a music video. The use of swells and distant vocals gives an ethereal emotion that is hard to display and they seem to do it with ease. ‘Headlights’ is a must listen out of their discography.
Sunsick Daisy - Sunsick Daisy is a four piece band from Adelaide, South Australia. Producing an Indie, Pop, Rock sound that can transport you to a different place. The lyricism and musicality is able to encapsulate strong emotions in a way that is so delicate and heartfelt. My top 2 picks from Sunsick Daisy is, ‘Bite My Tongue’ and ‘Yonder, Young, Wonder’.
I was so lucky to see such a diverse range of acts, this year held a lot of space for Australian Pop and Indie rock artists. Although I usually find comfort in some heavier genres I really enjoyed myself.
BIGSOUND is a great experience all around and I am eternally grateful to be able to live in a city with such a thriving creative scene. I am very eager and excited to see how BIGSOUND continues to diversify and develop themselves within the coming years. BIGSOUND is an event that provides great opportunities to grow your networking skills, develop your brand, meet new people or just to have a fun week out with your friends and I would recommend it to anyone as a must do!
