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 2024!

#ACCESSING BIGSOUND VENUES

BIGSOUND Conference Venues

All BIGSOUND Conference Venues (Fortitude Music Hall, Judith Wright Centre, Hotel X, and The Precinct) are accessible by wheelchair and have accessible bathrooms. The Judith Wright Centre will also include our Concert Care Conference Breakout Room – a quiet space to decompress or access our Concert Care team who can answer questions, direct you to resources, or supply earplugs and sensory packs.

BIGSOUND Showcase Venues

Every effort is made to work with all BIGSOUND venues to support and promote accessibility across the event. Detailed accessibility information for each venue can be found by viewing each venue listed here on the BIGSOUND website. The following showcase venues are wheelchair accessible: Blutes (with ramp), The Outpost (via lift), Prince Consort (with ramp), La La Land (with ramp and via lift), The Wickham, Wonderland – Downstairs, The Brightside – Outdoors, The Brightside – Indoors (with ramp), The Sound Garden, and Ric’s (via Ann St).*

In 2024 BIGSOUND will have two leading accessibility spaces, with additional accessibility features and Auslan interpreters:

The Outpost (Festival Venue)

Back by popular demand, the Outpost will once again feature Auslan interpreters across all showcases, reduced visual effects (no strobe or haze), a lowered bar area, and lift access to the venue. Check out the Festival showcase schedule here.

JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage (Brunswick Street Mall, Free & Open to All!)

Launching in 2024 and proudly supported by JBL, this stage will be free and open to all. Check out the schedule to view the Special Events and Showcases scheduled for the Brunswick Street. All Showcase performances will have Auslan interpreters.

*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.

#SENSORY FRIENDLY SPACES & SUPPORT

For support, visit one of the BIGSOUND Concert Care locations listed below, or call the Safety & Access team on 0493 502 638.

Safety & Access Information Desk (Fortitude Music Hall) – info desk and access to medics
Hey Mate LEWP Hub (Concert Care Conference Breakout Room - Judith Wright Centre) – sensory friendly space

Concert Care Chill-Out Space (400 Rabbits) – sensory friendly space

Sensory packs will be available from all of the spaces above. Visit our Safety at BIGSOUND Page for full details of each of these locations – our Concert Care Safety Checkpoints.

#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 2024 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 Showcase pass

$339 for a Delegate Pass

#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 use Spinal Life’s Accessible Australia app to help me plan.

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 go directly to the Safety & Access Info Desk for assistance.

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.

There will be Auslan interpreters for showcase performances at The Outpost and on the JBL Live at BIGSOUND Stage (Brunswick Street Mall). There will be reduced visual effects and a lowered bar area at The Outpost.

Assistance and Information

If I need help, I can ask a team member wearing a purple BIGSOUND shirt or a blue Concert Care vest, or I can visit the Safety & Access Info Desk in the Fortitude Music Hall foyer. I can also phone 0493 502 638 for support during the event.

Sensory Friendly Spaces

If I need a moment to relax, I can visit the Concert Care Chill-Out Space at 400 Rabbits from 4pm – 2am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

If I need a sensory pack, the BIGSOUND team will provide me with one.

Support during Conference Sessions

If I need assistance or a moment to relax during the conference, I can visit the support staff from Hey Mate, in the Judith Wright Centre foyer on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am – 4pm.

#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 And 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 available?

Yes! There will be sensory packs again this year, available for collection from any of the Concert Care safety points:

- Concert Care Conference Breakout Room (Judith Wright Centre)
- Concert Care Chill-Out Space (400 Rabbits)
- Safety & Accessibility Information Desk (Fortitude Music Hall)

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

Can someone assist me around the BIGSOUND?

Yes! We have a wonderful team of volunteers available to chaperone you around BIGSOUND! Please note, voluntary chaperones are subject to availability, so we encourage you to make your request early to assist us with planning.

If you would like to request a chaperone, please contact access@qmusic.com.au with the following details:

- Full name
- Access requirements
- Gender preference of volunteer
- Age
- Dates you require support
- What part of the festival you require support. E.g. showcase, conference or both