BIGSOUND has announced the first lineup of keynote speakers for this year’s virtual edition of the annual festival.
American legend Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets Of Rage, The Nightwatchman) leads the charge with an insightful presentation on his life as a musician and activist. “Join me at BIGSOUND to talk music, activism, and how the guitar can be a divining rod for truth and justice,” states Morello.
“Very few artists radiate and live their purpose the way that Tom Morello does, his power, conviction and guitar shredding sound is like no other”, says BIGSOUND Creative Director Janne Scott. “This keynote is a personal dream of mine and an absolute privilege for BIGSOUND to present, delivered at a time when we could all use a little Morello magic.”
Tones And I, who recently shot up into international stardom, will be delivering a keynote presentation.
There will also be in-conversation interviews with the Kev Carmody and ARIA-award winner Amy Shark.
Rhoda Roberts and Ziggy Ramo will examine the role of Indigenous music within the industry.
Johann Ponniah from record label, promoter & management I OH YOU will also deliver a keynote.
In a surprising appearance, comical online culinary host Nat’s What I Reckon will present an exclusive BIGSOUND cooking show.
Furthermore, production manager and founder of CrewCare Australia, Howard Freeman (Big Day Out, INXS, AC/DC, Eminem, Neil Young, Prince, Rolling Stones), will deliver a touching reflection on his gruelling, relentless career and the demands it has on mental and physical health, in the hopes that it will generate a culture of help-seeking.
Additionally, American Grammy-nominee Mumu Fresh will discuss career, community and survival tips in the COVID-19 age.
“Featuring some of the most prolific Keynotes we have ever programmed, the conference itself will lead conversations around future facing concepts that are brave, nuanced and shine a light towards recovering a more sustainable industry,” says Conference Programmer Tom Larkin.
This year, the festival had to transition online as a result of COVID-19. Organisers, however, are happy with the engagement they have received in anticipation of the virtual event, having received over 2,000 attendee registrations.
“BIGSOUND has been the meeting place of the music community for nearly two decades and the determination for this event to not only go ahead, but to thrive in a virtual environment is essential for our industry.” said QMusic CEO Angela Samut.
The full program schedule for BIGSOUND 2020 will be revealed at the end of the month along with The BIGSOUND50 – a list of this year’s highest achieving Australian artists who will be invited to participate in a national and international networking program.
Registration for BIGSOUND 2020 is free and is via their website HERE.
