BIGSOUND 2025 Second Speaker Lineup
BIGSOUND 2025 has announced the second round of speakers for its conference programme, engaging a powerful fusion of artists and industry gamechangers in thought-provoking contemporary conversations.
The BIGSOUND 2025 conference programme amplifies this year’s key theme of ‘creating connection that counts’, offering invaluable insights, perspectives and commentary on navigating the music space.
Yorta Yorta rapper, songwriter, author, actor and founder of Bad Apples Music, Briggs makes a rare appearance at the BIGSOUND conference, in conversation with Gomeroi musician, rapper and actor, Kobie Dee.
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tash Sultana will be speaking at the conference, having released their ‘Return To The Roots’ EP. Over the past decade, Tash has built an incredible career on their own terms and can speak with authority on what it takes to thrive as an independent musician.
So too can Brisbane rapper and musician Mallrat, whose evolution in recent years has seen her become one of the country’s most promising young artists. The BIGSOUND 2025 conference will also welcome artist and inclusion advocate Elly-May Barnes, daughter of Aussie rock icon Jimmy Barnes.
Blur drummer Dave Rowntree takes audiences back to the band’s nascent days amid the Britpop explosion through the release of his new photography book ‘No One You Know’. A prolific musician and composer, Dave’s session gives a rare glimpse into the early days of Blur with photos he captured himself.
In addition to artist-led conversations, the BIGSOUND 2025 conference programme expands its already stacked line-up of Australian and international speakers with representatives from globally recognised festivals, labels and organisations.
A special focus on Mexico as an export and festival destination for Australian artists takes prominence at BIGSOUND, welcoming insights from Cynthia Flores (Asecendente / MUSICMEX) and Malfi Dorantes (MalfiCo / MUSICMEX) in an intricate session on Mexico’s emergence as a new power player within the global music market.
Other featured speakers from the announcement include General Manager of Virgin Music Group (North America) Cindy James, Director of International Relations and Development at the Country Music Association (CMA) Meredith Goucher and Artist Manager Nikki Boon.
International festival heavyweights on the BIGSOUND 2025 conference program include Dev Sherlock (Director, SXSW Music Festival) and Robin Werner (Senior Partnerships Manager, Reeperbahn Festival), and previously announced figures like Adam Ryan (The Great Escape) – all bringing a wealth of experience in the international music export and showcase market.
The BIGSOUND 2025 conference again delivers unmissable conversations with some of the most prominent and influential tastemakers in the music industry, reaffirming it as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest platform for music discovery and engagement.
BIGSOUND 2025 takes place in Fortitude Valley (Brisbane), 2-5 September.
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BIGSOUND 2025 conference speakers second announcement:
Adam Lewis – Planetary Group (USA)
Brian Zabinski – Tamizdat (USA)
Briggs – Artist (AUS)
Chris Brearley – Greyline Touring (UK)
Cindy James – Virgin Music North America (USA)
Cynthia Flores – Hypnosis Festival / Indie Rocks / Ascendente Agencia (MEX)
Dave Rowntree – Artist (UK)
Dev Sherlock – SXSW (USA)
Drew Bennett – Q Prime Artist Management (US/AUS)
Elly May Barnes – Artist (AUS)
Hallie Anderson – RAREFORM (USA)
Jess Page – RAREFORM (USA)
Jonathan Heeter – Black Pine Agency (USA / CHINA)
Josh Pyke – Artist / PPCA (AUS)
Kobie Dee – Artist (AUS)
Malfi Dorantes – MalfiCo/MUSICMEX (MEX)
Mallrat – Artist (AUS)
Meredith Goucher – Country Music Association (CMA) (USA)
Missy Schienberg – Scheiny Management (USA)
Nikki Boon – Neon Coast (USA)
Ollie Hodge – Some Action (UK)
Robin Werner – Reeperbahn (GER)
Skully Kaplin – ATC (UK)
Tash Sultana – Artist (AUS)