BIGSOUND CANCELLED - Due to Lockdowns
Pictured: Nellie Jackson, Luc Dawson + Etta Currie - LOOSETOOTH playing BIGSOUND 2018
Photo courtesy of SGC Media
LITTLE BLAKSOUND to Go Ahead
Written by: Kerri Ellis - Sense Music Media | Friday 23 July 2021
Here we go again, another blow to the Australian music industry, COVID-19 has forced BIGSOUND, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest industry gathering, to be cancelled. Sadly, BIGSOUND will no longer go ahead in 2021.
Due to the snap lockdown in Melbourne, the extension of Greater Sydney’s lockdown, growing COVID outbreaks, and increasing restrictions that are in effect across Australia have made it painfully clear the much-loved conference and new music festival cannot responsibly take to the stage.
Kris Stewart, QMusic CEO said “Without our music mates in New South Wales and Victoria and no certain timeline as to when domestic borders will remain open, BIGSOUND 2021 wouldn’t be able to deliver on its promise to reunite the music community for three extraordinary days of connection, conversation, and music discovery. As 2021 marks BIGSOUND’s 20th anniversary, we are committed to coming through the unpredictable and relentless nature of COVID to celebrate this significant milestone with something special later this year, so watch this space for more to be revealed in the coming months.”
All BIGSOUND 2021 ticket holders and artist application fees will be refunded in the coming weeks.
BIGSOUND is produced by QMusic and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Australian Government through the Australia Council, and APRA AMCOS.
The BIGSOUND team has already begun work on a 2022 event to bring the industry together on the other side of this difficult time, hopefully with international friends and colleagues able to join.
Meanwhile, Little BLAKSOUND proudly presented by Digi Youth Arts, will go ahead.
In an important step forward, Little BLAKSOUND, a 100% First Nations youth-led music conference presented by Digi Youth Arts (DYA), will proceed on September 6 to shine a light on Blak excellence and provide a much-needed space for the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and arts leaders.
Little BLAKSOUND curators Sycco, Jem Cassar-Daley, DOBBY, and Loki Liddle will be mentored by BIGSOUND First Nations Programmer and Producer, Alethea Beetson, to elevate, celebrate and represent the voices and perspectives of current and up-and-coming First Nations artists and industry workers.
Through thought-provoking panel discussions and hands-on workshops, Little BLAKSOUND invites the music industry to listen and explore how the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and arts leaders can be placed at the forefront of industry conversations.
