#BIGSOUND 2026 Applications NOW OPEN
BIGSOUND gives artists the chance to perform in front of some of the most influential figures in music today.
Marking 25 years in 2026, BIGSOUND is a day/night music industry conference and showcase. It's a game-changing four days and three nights, which aims to connect export ready artists with music industry big wigs who can help make things happen for them. More than just a festival, BIGSOUND is the southern hemisphere's largest music industry gathering and hands down the biggest A&R event in Australia music. Every year we welcome a suite of tastemakers from across the globe including media, agents, promoters, festival bookers, and so much more.
Previous years’ showcases has propelled the careers of the biggest names in Australian music, including Flume, Rufus du Sol, Gang of Youths, The Temper Trap, G Flip, Lime Cordiale, Tash Sultana, DMA’s, Courtney Barnett and many more.
Applications close April 1 at 11.59pm (NO extensions).
Artist Showcases take place from Tuesday 1st to Thursday, 3rd September.
#Important Information
- Acts must be available to be in Brisbane 1 - 4 September 2026
- Artists are encouraged to apply for financial support from funding bodies. Please refer to your local state-based music development association for more info.
- One complimentary full BIGSOUND delegate pass will be made available to each successful showcase act (Note: additional passes will be available for band members at a discounted rate).
- Artists will have access to a host of professional development opportunities as part of the Artist Hub
#Application FAQs
Key Dates
Thurs 26 February: Applications open, 11am (AEST)
Wed 1 April: Applications close, 11:59pm (AEST)
Mid June: Successful applicants notified
Tue 1 – Fri 4 September: BIGSOUND - acts must be available to be in Brisbane.
Who should apply to play?
Queensland, Australian and New Zealand-based artists are encouraged to apply. Artists from outside of AU/NZ are welcome to apply but please be aware this is a showcasing event primarily focused on the export potential of Australian and New Zealand artists, and your application will be assessed against this primary criteria.
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 to help facilitate your trip to BIGSOUND.
Is there an application fee to apply?
There is a fee to apply to be a BIGSOUND showcasing artist. Non-QMusic members will be $30. QMusic members will be $20.
How will my application be assessed?
Our aim for BIGSOUND 2026 is to assist showcasing artists with achieving their goals and taking their career to the next level. Whether that be touring overseas, growing your team, showcasing in front of festival bookers from all over the world, or announcing your arrival, we want to foster these opportunities.
It is important for us to focus on outcomes for our showcasing artists. This means the BIGSOUND 2026 Showcase 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 2026? This is important to keep in mind when applying.
If selected to showcase, will I be paid a performance fee?
There is no set fee for BIGSOUND Showcase spots - rather BIGSOUND is considered a value exchange contract for Artists.
The core purpose of the BIGSOUND Showcase program is to create business outcomes for showcasing artists. As a non-profit venture run to provide opportunities, funds raised by the event are invested back into bringing national and international buyers to Brisbane and curating networking and one-on-one meetings tailored to each artists' needs.
So while showcasing artists are not compensated monetarily, each selected showcase act receives a Delegate Pass (valued at $899). Delegates are able to access all conference, festival and special events, plus performers and crew receive an artist pass which in addition to providing access to their show venues, provides them access to the Artist Hub, a range of professional development opportunities and the BIGSOUND Festival.
All artists are encouraged to apply for funding and grant opportunities to support their attendance at BIGSOUND. The are a range of paid performance spots at BIGSOUND, however this are not considered a part of the Showcase line up and are booked to align with partner activations.
Individuals under 18 will have access to their showcasing venue for their performance only.
Will I get feedback on my application?
The BIGSOUND team is 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 and the world. 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.
Will successful acts receive passes?
Each BIGSOUND Showcasing Act will receive ONE full BIGSOUND delegate pass (valued at $899), allowing them access to all parts of the conference, special events and showcases.
Each performing individual will receive an artist pass granting them access to all showcase venues for official showcases.
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 if required.
Please fill out the BIGSOUND contact form.
Can I apply to Showcase if I am under 18?
People under the age of 18 are welcome to apply and perform in the showcase. If successful, underage performers will be wrist banded and must have a guardian present at all times.
Performers under 18 are only permitted access to their showcase event and will not have entry to the rest of the festival.
#Selection Process
The core purpose of the BIGSOUND Showcase program is to facilitate business outcomes for the artists who are programmed.
The BIGSOUND 2026 programming team will assess applications by gauging what potential outcomes artists may achieve from showcasing for the best of Australian and international music industry - ensuring acts are ready to capitalise on existing momentum. The team want to know what you have achieved so far, what your working towards and realistically what you stand to gain from playing as part of BIGSOUND 2026. This core purpose is important to keep in mind when preparing your application.
A little note:
BIGSOUND is unable to put every artist that applies on a stage. If you apply and you are unsuccessful - this isn't a reflection on your art making. BIGSOUND is a commercial music export event - an unsuccessful application may just mean you're not ready to take the globe by storm just yet or that we cannot provide you with the opportunities you are looking for this year. Apply next year and the outcome might be different.
When writing your application, reflect on the information above and make it is the strongest it can be.
Good luck and we can’t wait to see you all in September at BIGSOUND 2026.
#Showcase Artist Benefits
- Showcase in front of labels, booking agents, promoters, sync agents, managers, publicists and more brought to BIGSOUND from around the globe
- Tailored one-on-one meetings matching artists with industry based on their goals and current team structure
Each showcasing act will receive 1 x delegate pass for full conference and showcase access
Each performing band member will receive wristband access to all showcase performances
Artist access to official Opening and Closing events
Artist-facing workshops, demos and sessions accessible to all showcasing artists
Access to official networking events with music industry buyers
Opportunity to coordinate your own meetings with many industry figures in attendance at the event
Use the delegate portal to build your network and form new relationships before, during and after BIGSOUND week
Recognised on a national level as being market-ready – instantly on the radar of the entire national industry
#BIGSOUND Conflict of Interest Statement
QMusic is committed to a fair assessment process for all artist applications and maintains a Conflict of Interest Register for all staff, contractors and board members. A conflict of interest is where an employee, contractor or board member has private interests that could improperly influence, or be seen to influence, their decisions or actions in the performance of their public duties.
All artist submissions are checked against the Conflict of Interest Register and in the event of a conflict, a firewall is placed around the submission to ensure it is not assessed by anyone who has a conflict. We engage multiple assessors to avoid conflicts of interest and to assist with selecting the best possible artists for BIGSOUND.
#BIGSOUNDstoriesOutcomes
