The new initiative is designed to give a leg up to artists who have built significant initial career momentum off the back of their BIGSOUND experience.
The $100,000 prize is the largest of its kind in Australian music history and comes in collaboration with Levi’s. The likes of Courtney Barnett, Flume, Rufus, DMAs, Gang of Youths, The Temper Trap and Tash Sultana have all used their BIGSOUND involvement as a springboard to greater success and the award comes as another incentive to apply, not that you needed one already.
Further increasing artist opportunities, BIGSOUND 2017 is expanding to a four-night extravaganza with each artist now given the opportunity to perform twice across the festival.
In light of the news, QMusic Executive Officer Joel Edmondson couldn’t hide his excitement, “The choice was an easy one,” Edmondson says. “With our focus purely on making sure that artists get the best opportunity possible to get in front of the people that matter. We have dozens of internationals flying halfway around the world to see great Australian music and we want to give them the best opportunity to see the acts they want to see in the best possible setting.”
“Expanding to an additional night also makes for a far better experience for punters, with extra chances to see their next favourite band.”
BIGSOUND 2017 takes over Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from Tuesday September 5 – Friday September 8. Applications to play are now open via the event website.
Via Beat Magazine, written by Tom Parker.