BIGSOUND 2020 pushes forward with COVID-safe edition in October

Organisers behind the annual BIGSOUND music industry conference in Brisbane have confirmed plans to proceed with this year's event, despite the threat of further lockdowns.

Due to social distancing measures, BIGSOUND 2020 will look slightly different this year. The conference and festival will run over two days and two nights from October 21.

Submissions to showcase open today and promoter QMusic has waived the artist application fees this year, with contingencies in place if further travel restrictions are imposed.

QMusic CEO Angela Samut said the necessary safety restrictions will be implemented across all participating live music venues and conference spaces.

“BIGSOUND has been the leader of conversation and discovery in the Australian music industry for over 18 years and this year we will be forging ahead with a recovery-focused festival,” she said.

Due to social distancing requirements, numbers this year are limited. Pre-sale registration for delegate passes open 9am July 29 and early-bird delegate passes at 9am on August 3.

Former BIGSOUND Visual Arts Program head, Janne Scott, is this year's creative director and Alethea Beetson returns as First Nations producer and programmer.

Dominic Miller and Ruby-Jean McCabe join as festival co-programmers.

With the impact of COVID-19 and no international buyers able to travel to Brisbane, BIGSOUND confirmed Maggie Collins will not be returning in 2020.

BIGSOUND also acknowledged conference programmer Tom Larkin, BIGTECH programmer David Grice and festival programmers Tim Shiel and Melody Forghani for their contributions.