"I think they are mind-blowing. If you see them, you’ll know exactly what I mean."
BADASSMUTHA, Mannequin Death Squad, dogworld, Briana Dinsdale (Source: Supplied/BIGSOUND)
BIGSOUND returns to the Fortitude Valley in Brisbane next month, hosting the most impressive emerging and established acts on its music festival, and music industry figures and performers locked in as Speakers for its Conference.
Simply put, it’s the Australian music industry’s biggest week of the calendar year, and there’s a lot going on. From showcases to parties to conferences and even more, it’s BIGSOUND’s music festival that is annually renowned for everyday punters and industry figures for its programming.
Ahead of this year’s BIGSOUND music festival, returning to 18 stages across the Valley from 2-5 September, The Music has caught up with some of the must-see artists performing next month and asked them: who are your must-see acts at BIGSOUND 2025?
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I am super excited to be showcasing at BIGSOUND 2025. What I’m also excited about is the line-up; the line-up is massive, but if I had to pick my top artists to go and watch this year, who are showcasing, I would pick Kayps, I would pick GLVES, Akala Newman, Denzel Kennedy, and BVT. My top five. Go and watch their sets!
My must-see act is fellow Melbourne band Sleepazoid.
Our top must-see acts at BIGSOUND are Bad/Love, Bad Juju, Heartline, Besties, Down And Out, and Mannequin Death Squad.
My must-see acts for this year’s BIGSOUND have to be Yung Maynie, Inkabee, Kayps, and That Gurl Bella.
I haven’t really thought about that! We don’t usually look at the line-up for things if we can, because we like to just walk around and discover things on the fly, and the live performance is the first thing we hear. Or a cool name! There’s so much crazy talent in Australia; it’s gonna be sick, we’re going to find some new favourite bands on the day.
We’re super keen to see Hatchie, also Dogworld and Darcie Haven.
Borderline, Mariae Cassandra, The Tullamarines, and Heartline.
A couple of must-see acts at BIGSOUND for us are definitely Shock Corridor – they’re just really great, visceral, enthralling, heavy, energetic music. They’re all such great, talented musicians, as well. As well as Ullah from Perth – she’s this dreamy, poppy, amazing singer, also really enthralling stuff. We’re really keen for them.
The three acts I’m most looking forward to seeing at the festival are Darcie Haven, Lyric, and Josie.
Who are our must-see BIGSOUND acts? Mine would be Lola Scott, Seb Szabo, and Pisco Sour. I’ve been wanting to catch them for a long time!
Uhh, me, GLVES? Can I say that? No? BADASSMUTHA, for sure! Akala Newman, I’m really keen to see Wafia, as well.
I am so excited to see all of the country acts at BIGSOUND, obviously, because it’s my favourite genre in the whole entire world, but I really, really do love Sweet Talk – I think they are mind-blowing.
If you see them, you’ll know exactly what I mean. I have a saying: ‘Never miss a Sweet Talk gig,’ so if that tells you anything, I don’t know what will! I think you have to get down and see Sweet Talk.
All of the above artists will perform at BIGSOUND 2025. To attend or find out more about the 2025 music festival program, head to the BIGSOUND website.