Are You The Next BIGSOUND Music Programmer?

QMusic is looking to fill BIGSOUND’s Lead Music Programmer role, opening applications for “one of the music industry’s most coveted” gigs.

BIGSOUND, the southern hemisphere’s largest new music export showcase and conference, has hosted some of the biggest names in Aus music over its 23-year history, including Flume, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Gang Of Youths, Courtney Barnett, G Flip, Tones & I, Violent Soho and more.

Leading the next phase of national music discovery, the successful applicant will take over from Ruby-Jean McCabe and Dom Miller, who depart as BIGSOUND programmers after five years with QMusic and four as Showcase Co-Programming Leads.

“It’s been an absolute honour for us to have programmed BIGSOUND Festival since 2020. From navigating COVID with the BIGSOUND50, the heartbreak of 2021’s cancellation, the biggest BIGSOUND ever in 2022 and finally what, for us, was the BEST BIGSOUND ever this year in 2023,” McCabe and Miller said.

“We’ve made some incredible friends, discovered our favourite artists and are so proud of the wins that BIGSOUND artists we’ve programmed have had and will continue to have as a result of being on the line-up.  

“Thank you to all the industry that got behind our line-ups or submitted their artists. But mostly, thank you to all the artists – you’re the whole reason this industry exists and we have you to thank for being able to do what we do. Thank you BIGSOUND! See you in the pit!”  

QMusic Director of Programming – Key Events  Mandi McIntyre added: “Anyone who has attended BIGSOUND understands what a pivotal event it is, and a huge part of that is artist discovery. We have the privilege to play a significant role in artists’ careers and connect them with industry figures that often result in career-defining deals. 

“We are searching for someone with the passion, drive and a broad industry expertise to lead the curatorial process, with the ambition to achieve great artistic and business outcomes. There is an unbelievable pool of talent that submit to play BIGSOUND each year, so it’s a truly exciting process to be part of.” 

A position summary shared by QMusic reads:

The BIGSOUND Lead Music Programmer provides an important senior-level creative service to the QMusic Program team, primarily focused on leading music content booking for QMusic’s key international event, BIGSOUND. Drawing on extensive national and international music booking and/or management and touring experience and harnessing a broad industry network, the Lead Music Programmer will lead the curatorial music programming for the BIGSOUND Showcase program, BIGSOUND special events program, and other special QMusic events as agreed.

You can find out more information and apply here.

BIGSOUND will return September 3-6, 2024 with its showcases once again taking over venues across Fortitude Valley’s live music precinct with a slow of buzzing artists in tow.