Accessibility

BIGSOUND AND QMUSIC ARE DEDICATED TO CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE SPACE FOR ALL.

We hope the following information will help you plan your visit to BIGSOUND 2025!

#ACCESSING BIGSOUND VENUES

BIGSOUND Conference Venues

All BIGSOUND Conference Venues are accessible by wheelchair and have accessible bathrooms:

Fortitude Music Hall
The Outpost
The Precinct - Level 3 Event Space
The Precinct - Stair Stadium
The Precinct - Warrar Room
The Precinct - Dimbin-Mil Seminar Room
The Artist Hub @ Brewdog
Goolwal Goolwal @ The Sound Garden

The following Conference sessions in the Fortitude Music Hall will have Live Captions:

Tuesday 2 September:

First Word: One Brilliant Idea: 1pm – 2pm

Wednesday 3 September:

Bad Apples: Briggs in Conversation with Kobie Dee: 9:45am – 10:45am
Viable Venues: New Solutions For Showcasing Australia's Most-loved Spaces: 11am – 11:45am
Rebel With A Cause: In Conversation with Darcus Beese : 1:30pm – 2:15pm
Industry Leaders Reflect & Reimagine: 2:30pm – 3:15pm
In Conversation with Blur's Dave Rowntree: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
The Ticketing and Live Events State of Play 2025: 4:45pm – 5:15pm

Thursday 4 September:

Breaking UK & Europe - Unique Pathways: 9:45am – 10:30am
Syncing It Right: 10:45am – 11:30am
Return To The Roots: In Conversation With Tash Sultana: 11:45am – 12:30pm
Final Word: In Opposition to "We aren't saving lives": 1:45pm – 2:30pm

BIGSOUND Showcase Venues

Every effort is made to work with all BIGSOUND venues to support and promote accessibility across the event*. Full accessibility information is published on each venue page (click "View Venue" from each event in the schedule, to see the details).

The following showcase venues are wheelchair accessible:

The Alligator Club
Birdees (via lift)
Blutes (via ramp)
The Brightside – Outdoors
Brunswick Street Mall Stage
Enigma (via lift)
Honky Tonks
The Prince Consort – Garden Stage (via ramp)
The Prince Consort – La La Land (via lift & ramp)
Rics Bar and Backyard (via Ann St entrance)
The Sound Garden (via ramp)
The Wickham
Wonderland - Downstairs

The following showcase venues will also be strobe light free for BIGSOUND:

The Prince Consort – Garden Stage (via ramp)
The Brightside – Inside

*While every effort is made for BIGSOUND venues to be fully accessible, we recognise that some venues, particularly those in heritage buildings, aren’t accessible to people with mobility requirements such as ramp or lift access. With this in mind, we offer Mobility Access Discount Tickets.

Brunswick Street Mall Stage (free & open to all + Auslan!)

Back by popular demand, in the heart of Fortitude Valley in Brunswick Street Mall, this stage will be free and open to all. Check out the schedule to view the Special Events and Showcases scheduled for this stage.

The Brunswick Street Mall Stage will include the following Auslan Interpreted Programming:

Tuesday 2 September:

6:30pm – 7pm: QUBE EFFECT Live at BIGSOUND
7:30pm – 8pm: Showcase Performance: There's a Tuesday
8:30pm – 9pm: Showcase Performance: Lyric
9:30pm – 10pm: Showcase Performance: Flamingo Pier

Wednesday 3 September:

6:30pm – 7:15pm: BIGSOUND Presents: Saddle Club!
7:30pm – 8pm: Showcase Performance: Corrella
8:30pm – 9pm: Showcase Performance: Velvet Bloom
9:30pm – 10pm: Showcase Performance: Sweet Talk

Thursday 4 September:

4:30pm – 7pm: The BLOCK PARTY CONNECT: From Boorloo to Magandjin
7:30pm – 8pm: Showcase Performance: Elly May Barnes
8:30pm – 9pm: Showcase Performance: Azure Ryder
9:30pm – 10pm: Showcase Performance: Mid Drift

#PURCHASING TICKETS

Tickets to the festival and conference are available via the TICKETS page on the BIGSOUND website. Alternatively you can call Oztix on 1300 762 545 during operating hours (Monday to Friday 8:30am-5:00pm AEST).

For any questions regarding accessibility support and ticket purchasing, or to book complimentary Companion Tickets or book Mobility Access Discount Tickets, contact the BIGSOUND team directly.

Companion Cards

If you have purchased a ticket to attend BIGSOUND and hold a valid Companion Card you are eligible for a complimentary companion ticket to BIGSOUND. To arrange your complimentary companion ticket, please email the following to access@qmusic.com.au, or call us on (07) 3257 0013 to discuss.

A copy of your Companion Card
Your valid BIGSOUND 2025 ticket confirmation

The full name and email of your companion/s

Mobility Access Discount Tickets

BIGSOUND offers three types of Mobility Access Ticket prices:

$24.50 for a 1 Day Festival Pass

$44.50 for a 3 Day Festival pass

$339 for a Delegate Pass

#CONCERT CARE SAFETY & SUPPORT SERVICES

The 2025 BIGSOUND Concert Care program includes a dedicated Concert Care safety hub, roaming Concert Care crew members (powered by ConsciousNest), and support services provided through our Access and Inclusion Partners: Hey Mate, Let's Go Support Service and Support Act.

The Concert Care team will be identifiable by their bright blue Concert Care vests. Say hello if you see them roaming between venues! During the event, the best way to reach the Concert Care team is to call the Event Hotline (0493 502 638), or pop into the Concert Care hub.

Concert Care Hub: 400 Rabbits

Open from Tuesday 2nd September to Thursday 4th September, from 9:00am – 12:00am daily, the Concert Care Hub is your go-to space if you’re feeling overwhelm, or in need of a break.

Pop in to the Concert Care hub to get support from informed harm minimisation specialists (ConsciousNest), and mental health and wellbeing experts (Hey Mate), or take a moment to yourself and tune out the world with noise-cancelling headphones courtesy of JBL.

The space will be kitted out with sensory friendly features including comfy seating, soft furnishings, weighted blankets, and sensory kits will be available on request.

Let's Go Support Service

Let’s Go! is a Brisbane based disability support service, working with BIGSOUND to help coordinate on-ground accessibility support, and make sure everyone can enjoy the event. The Let’s Go! crew will be roaming each evening during the BIGSOUND Showcase as part of the Concert Care team.

#CONTACTING THE BIGSOUND TEAM

We aim to be as accessible and responsive as possible and offer three ways to get in touch if you have any accessibility or disability-related enquiries. Whether you are planning to buy a ticket and attend the festival need more information, or are one of our showcase artists or conference presenters and want to discuss your accessibility requirements, or just want to know more about accessibility at BIGSOUND in general, please reach out.

Contact our Access & Inclusion team via access@qmusic.com.au

Call us on (07) 3257 0013

Our fill out our Contact Form

And if you’ve got any feedback on your experience leading up to, during, or after the event, please tell us what you think by contacting the team or using the QMusic Feedback Form. Your feedback helps us to continue to adapt and evolve, and give our artists and audiences the best support possible.

#HOW TO PLAN MY BIGSOUND

ACCESSIBILITY @ BIGSOUND

Planning your BIGSOUND experience

For information to help me plan, I can visit the Accessibility page on the BIGSOUND website.

I can also email the team via access@qmusic.com.au or call on (07) 3257 0013.

Transport

I can purchase my festival wristband (for BIGSOUND showcases) or my delegate pass lanyard (for Conference entry and all BIGSOUND events) online.

If I have a Companion Card, I can get a complimentary Companion Ticket. If I have limited mobility, I can get discounted Mobility Access Tickets.

Plan my BIGSOUND

I can view the schedule and plan my BIGSOUND via the app or website.

I can get to BIGSOUND via train, bus or car. If travelling via public transport I can use Translink’s Journey Planner to plan my trip.

Collecting my wristband or lanyard

I can collect my delegate pass lanyard during the day, or my festival wristband from 5pm, from the BIGSOUND Box Office at the Fortitude Music Hall. There might a queue.

If I find it difficult to stand for long periods, I can request assistance from a BIGSOUND volunteer.

Atmosphere

I will need my delegate lanyard or showcase wristband and ID to enter each showcasing venue.

I will see lots of people, hear loud music and see bright lights. I can bring my own headphones to wear if it becomes too noisy.

Access at BIGSOUND venues and stages

I can visit the BIGSOUND website for full accessibility details of each venue, or contact the team with any questions.

There will be Auslan interpreters on the Brunswick Street Mall stage for BIGSOUND Showcase performances.

Assistance and Information

If I need help, I can ask a team member wearing a BIGSOUND shirt or a blue Concert Care vest, or I can visit the Concert Care Hub at 400 Rabbits. I can also phone 0493 502 638 for support during the event.

Sensory Support

If I need a moment to relax, I can visit the Concert Care Hub at 400 Rabbits from 9am - 12am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and use the noise-cancelling headphones. I can also request a sensory kit or earplugs at the Concert Care Hub or at the Box Office.

#FAQ

Is there any accessible accommodation around BIGSOUND?

Yes! You can find accessible accommodation at the following locations:
• The Constance Hotel
• Rydges hotel
• The Miro
• Spicers Balfour Hotel
• Kennigo Hotel

How do I get to BIGSOUND?

Parking
Please note, parking in Fortitude Valley is quite difficult and limited. To find a carpark located within Fortitude Valley, visit secureparking.com.au

Train
Fortitude Valley Train Station is located only 200 metres away from Brunswick Street Mall.

Bus
There are many bus stops located around Fortitude Valley,. Plan your trip by visiting Translink

Some bus stops within the valley are:
• Brunswick Street Stop 207 near McLachlan St
• Brunswick Street Stop 211
• Wickham Street Stop 228 near Brunswick

To book a taxi, you can call Yellow cabs on 13 19 24 or Black and White Cabs on 13 32 22.

Taxi ranks are found:
• Left side of Wickham St approaching Brunswick St from Gipps St (outside
Prohibition Nightclub)
• Right side of Wickham St, just past Brunswick St intersection outside of
McWhirters
• Right side of Ann St approaching Duncan St opposite Cloudland
• Left side of Warner St approaching Wickham St (behind McWhirters)
• Left side of Brunswick St approaching Ann St outside Empire Hotel

Can I bring my Guide Dogs or Service Dogs?

Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome to BIGSOUND. Please refer to each venues access facilities to see if they supply water bowls. Due to noise levels and lighting in the live music sector of the event you might like to consider the use of an alternative aid.

Will there be sensory packs or ear plugs available?

Yes! There will be sensory packs again this year, available for collection at the Concert Care Hub (400 Rabbits) or the Box Office (Fortitude Music Hall). BIGSOUND showcase venues should also provide ear plugs.

Will there be Auslan Interpreters at any BIGSOUND events?

Interpreters will be available at the following events, that are free and open to all to attend:

BIGSOUND Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony:
Brunswick Street Mall
Tuesday 3 September
12:15PM

Showcases on the JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage (Free & Open to all):
Brunswick Street Mall
3 - 5 September
6:30PM – 10:00PM

Showcases on the Outpost Stage:
The Outpost
3 – 5 September
7:15PM - Midnight

Who do I contact if I need support during BIGSOUND?

Our Concert Care team is here to support you during BIGSOUND, including staff from Let's Go Support Service - a Brisbane based disability support service, working with BIGSOUND to help coordinate on-ground accessibility support. Visit the BIGSOUND Safety webpage for details.

If you need support during the event, call the Event Hotline (0493 502 638) to request assistance. The Concert Care team will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.