Get a fresh playlist ready – here are the five acts you won’t want to miss at this year’s BIGSOUND festival
BIGSOUND returns from September 3–6 to Fortitude Valley, transforming the inner-city enclave into an epicentre of Australian music. This year, the festival has snagged a stacked line-up of industry heavyweights and rising talent from Alex the Astronaut and tiffi to Dear Seattle and Sly Withers. We’ve handpicked five artists to add to your playlist before they hit the stages at BIGSOUND. Trust us, these artists are not to be missed, so keep reading for all of the details …
Matahara: A solo project from Jakarta-born and Melbourne-based indie artist Marissa Yudinar, Matahara creates forward-thinking bedroom pop. With a style that’s been hailed as genre-less, Matahara (the Indonesian word for sun) has injected her brand of electropop with warmth and honest lyricism. Think: if the ethereal sounds of Caroline Polacheck or Grimes fused with the playful joy of Maisie Peters.
Keli Holiday: No your eyes aren’t deceiving you, that is indeed Adam Hyde from the multi-ARIA award-winning duo Peking Duck. Keli Holiday marks the latest project from this Australian hit maker with a new solo act. Keli Holiday’s debut album balanced Adam’s signature high-energy style with nods to New Order, Joy Division and Talking Heads, resulting in a new dance-rock sound. Think: a modernised LCD Soundsystem of new-age disco and grungy alt-rock.
Miiesha: Woorabinda-born artist Miiesha has been spearheading Australian RnB and soul music since her first album, Nyaaringu, dropped in 2020. Since then, the songstress has garnered critical acclaim for her soul-stirring sounds coupled with Pitjantjatjara language and experiences. The ARIA-winning artist is not just worth hearing, but a needed addition to the culture. Think: the sounds of Jazmine Sullivan or Vanessa Monet with an intimately local inflection.
Jamaica Moana: This multidisciplinary artist is a rapper as well as a leader and resident commentator of the Australian vogueing/ballroom community, along with being the founder of The West Ball. The Sydney-based songwriter of Māori (Ngāpuhi/Tainui) and Samoan descent has carved a unique space for themself in Australian music of gender-and-genre-bending rap. Think: Megan Thee Stallion or Queen Herby with an edge of Ngaiire.
Mac The Knife: This five-membered rock’n’roll outfit has a sound that could only be born in a sweaty Sydney garage. With a refreshed take on gritty pub rock, Mac The Knife has gained a reputation for roaring songs of catharsis and carnage. Led by Spider from Heartbreak High, Mac The Knife has self-proclaimed itself as “written for the people, by the people.” Think: DZ Deathrays and SKEGGS with a healthy dose of Fontaines D.C. and The Strokes.
To peep the full line-up for the festival and to grab tickets, head to the BIGSOUND website. You can nab a ticket now with $25 tickets currently available for those aged 25 under. If you want to level up your music industry knowledge, we suggest grabbing a Delegate Pass, which gives you full access to conferences by day and showcases by night.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
