This year’s BIGSOUND conference to discuss radio’s role in breaking new music

It’s one of the biggest music gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere and this year the radio industry will join in. 

The BIGSOUND music festival is on 10-11 September and this year it will include a conference that will explore the relationship between radio and breaking new music. And who better to lead the discussion than Triple J big wigs, manager Chris Scaddan and music director Richard Kingsmill.

Previously, BIGSOUND has featured discussions have focused on the complex relationship between radio and music, including the implementation of digital radio and the impact of commerical formats. No doubt, these discussions are passionate, but they were always going to be because radio and music are co-dependent and always will be.

Scaddan and Kingsmill will front the crowd and discuss Triple J’s place in the Australian industry in a panel conference. They will be joined by other key staff from the station and they are expected to “address the heated industry debate and conjecture that surrounds their decision-making processes”. 

Community radio will also be covered with representatives from 4ZZZ, RRR, PBS, FBI and RTR discussing the importance of community broadcasting on the breaking of new music and the relationship between the two industries. Music Directors from the community stations as well as Triple J and Double J will also host one on one meetings with musicians to hear what’s going on at the grassroots of the music industry. 

BIGSOUND programmer Nick O’Byrne said:

“Australia’s radio landscape is unique in the world. triple j has morphed over the last decade from a radio station into a multi-platform, multi-demographic media entity. The fact that it is one of the most important and influential media-outlets for our industry means it bares enormous responsibility and expectation. Meanwhile our community radio scene is the most dynamic and interesting broadcast platform in the country (maybe even the world!) but it struggles for funding, access to technology and the rightful recognition as a nursery for cutting edge independent artists, those that are truly taking Australian music to new horizons and greater heights.”

Radio National’s Paul Barclay will moderate a panel on the future of the music industry as well as American college radio bible CMJ’s editor Matt McDonald and leading US college pluggers Adam Lewis (Planetary Group) and Rev Moose (The Syndicate). ABC Local Radio Queensland will be hosting a live broadcast from the event on Thursday September 11. 

The event also features keynote speeches from the church, Neil Finn, Mick Harvey (The Bad Seeds, The Birthday Party) and Bluesfest founder Peter Noble

Not forgetting that BIGSOUND is primarily a live music event that will feature 140 of Australasia’s best new bands playing across 14 venues in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley over two nights so stock up on your multi-vitamins, because you’re going to need them.

Find out more at the official BIGSOUND website.

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