I’ve been going to BIGSOUND for the past 17 years, wearing different hats along the way – as an artist, songwriter, speaker, showcasing business, showcasing artist, and more recently as a Director on the QMusic Board, the Queensland music peak body that has run BIGSOUND for the past 25 years.

BIGSOUND is Australia’s biggest music industry event – a festival, conference and a load of special events where people from all over the world in the music industry meet to do business, and where export-ready artists showcase and grow their opportunities.

If you want to make the most of a major music industry event like BIGSOUND, or you’ve already got your delegate pass and are committed to making the most of it, I asked some of my QMusic Board Directors and friends in the industry what actually works. A theme emerged fast – so here’s their collective wisdom, grouped by what it’s really about.

Have a goal, but hold it loosely:

Viv Mellish (Co-Founder and CMO of GYROGroup & retired QMusic Chair) puts it simply, “Go in with a goal, not just a plan… Decide beforehand whether you’re there to find co-writers, scope out sync opportunities, or simply get inspired, and let that guide which sessions and gigs you prioritise.”

Dave Sleswick (Creative Director, Tivoli Group / QMusic Board Director) adds “Arrive with a plan but leave room for the unexpected… focus on building genuine relationships rather than collecting business cards.”

Burst your bubble:  

Jake Challenor (Co-Founder, Sound Story / Chair of QMusic) encourages artists to resist the pull to spend the whole week with the people you arrived with. “Introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met. Sit in a session that isn’t directly related to your role or genre. Ask questions. Follow your curiosity rather than your schedule… A chance introduction can become a collaborator, mentor, client or lifelong friend.”

Dave adds “Some of the most valuable opportunities often come from conversations in the in-between spaces. Be curious, ask questions, be generous with your time.”

 

Capture what moves you, while it’s moving you:  

“Between sets or panels, jot a line, a chord idea or even just a feeling that a performance sparked in you. Some of the best songs come out of a single moment caught live or a conversation, and Bigsound gives you hundreds of those moments in a few days.” – Viv 

Your wellbeing and boundaries are part of your toolkit:

Jacqui Wirth (QMusic Board Director) says, “know your energy and safety baseline. BIGSOUND is an amazing place to connect, collaborate and grow, but it’s also intense. Your wellbeing, safety and boundaries are part of your toolkit, they help you choose the right rooms, the right collaborators and the right opportunities. Take the right risks for you, and if you’re ever unsure, ask.”

She adds that if you’re coming alone, the Women and Gender Diverse Folk Brunch is “a beautiful starting point. You’ll find your people and make the BIGSOUND journey together.”

AND… Wear good shoes:

“There’s a lot of time walking between events and standing up. I’ve done over 30,000 steps in a day at BIGSOUND before. Good shoes will keep you energised and ready for the next day.” – Viv

 

Never a truer word spoken!!

If you’re going to BIGSOUND, please get in touch with a DM on Instagram or email, and I’d love to catch up with you (or maybe I’ll bump into you at a gig!).
– Francesca

Want more support? 

Come along to our workshop on Tuesday 25 August, online, where we’ll work through what you can do before, during, and after BIGSOUND — so you leave with real connections and opportunities, not just a lanyard and a hangover.

What we’ll cover:

• Before — how to plan your time, who to prioritise, and what to actually prepare
• During — how to approach people, start conversations that don’t feel forced, and make the most of your (limited) time
• After — how to follow up in a way that builds a real, lasting connection, not just another unanswered email

Who it’s for: Songwriters, artists, and industry hopefuls attending BIGSOUND or any major event, who want it to actually move their career forward.

Cost – $5 for the live session, and replay.
Tickets – here