BIGSOUND returns for its 12th year in 2013 and tonight, they have revealed the first lot of artists and industry professionals set to perform and speak at the music conference in Brisbane later in the year. The September 11-13 event will be represented by some of the best in the international and local market, with the following artists set to perform, with more still to be announced:

Xavier Rudd
Washington
The John Steel Singers
Bleeding Knees Club
Stonefield

This year, rather than opt for my traditional Festival Diaries format for SXSW, I went for a more straight forward approach, with a series of reviews on ground at the event. But there was the odd experience that I couldn't quite elaborate into its own article. So here now are all the leftovers of my experiences over ten days at SXSW 2013 in a Festival Diary special!

In this Issue:Amanda Palmer postpones her Aussie tour, Carole King announces a new show, the Deadshits! Festival line-up is announced, extra seats are made for Mariah Carey and much more!

Amanda Palmer Postpones Tour

If there’s one thing Amanda Fucking Palmer can do, it’s create unique music. On her latest single, “Do It With A Rockstar”, Her Eccentric Excellency has perfectly merged sly humour with her typical raw passion, creating a song that sounds like nothing you expected, and everything you ever wanted.

Provocative performer Amanda Palmer and her Grand Theft Orchestra will tear the house to the ground in their string of shows next year. Initiator of punk cabaret and perfectly honed solo act, Palmer masterfully intertwines her classics with phenomenal tracks from new album ‘Theatre Is Evil’. Palmer’s partnership of burlesque and punk will be one of the best nights of your life!

AMANDA PALMER & THE GRAND THEFT ORCHESTRA

Theatre is Evil is the new (almost) solo album by Amanda Palmer, accompanied by The Grand Theft Orchestra. This album is a departure from the typical voice plus keyboard formula found on 2008’s punk cabaret Who Killed Amanda Palmer, but maintains the essence and style that is so uniquely Amanda.

It's one thing to have an appreciation and support for your work as an artist outside of your native land, but the cult following that has amassed for Amanda Palmer within Australia is nothing short of fucking ridiculous.

Self described "piano-slayer, singer, writer, blogger, lover, freak" and now newly married (to author Neil Gaiman), Amanda Palmer is in Australia touring her new album Amanda Palmer goes Down Under.

Amanda Palmer is back with a new album "...Goes Down Under" - featuring a selection of tracks dedicated to Australia and New Zealand. She's released a music video for "Map of Tasmania" with The Young Punx. Check it out here!