If you thought the Fortitude Valley party scene had hung up its hat, think again. For yet another year Brisbane’s own BIGSOUND festival is providing the absolute goods: phenomenal rock, pop, acoustic and electronic experiences from some of Australia's best and upcoming artists.
Previous years have paved the pathway to stardom for artists such as Flume, Courtney Barnett, Rufus and The Temper Trap (no biggie), and we really couldn’t think of any better excuse to roam the streets of The Valley again FOR 2017.
Picture 130+ upcoming artists, 18 venues, over three nights—not a bad way to reign in the first weekend of September. And the best bit? We’ve rounded up ten gigs you MUST see at this year’s BIGSOUND.
#1. Baker Boy
Triple J Unearthed Stage @ Oh Hello!
Consider him the freshest hip-hop talent from the top end of Aus. Hailing from remote NT communities Milingimbi and Maningrida, Baker Boy is now riding high after his Triple J National Indigenous Music Award win for his total tune Cloud 9. Catch him before he headlines some of the biggest Australian music festivals, you heard it here first.
#2. Confidence Man
256 Wickham
With only two songs released, Confidence Man have really been the talk of every festival since their debut at Glastonbury. Their upbeat and funky sounds transform mosh pits into a child’s playground - look out for their tunes ‘Bubblegum’ and ‘Boyfriend’ at this year’s BIGSOUND.
#3. Cub Sport
The Brightside Outdoor Stage
Cub Sport have intertwined themselves in the Australian music scene for a little while now, and for VERY good reason. A seriously fierce contender on this year’s BIGSOUND lineup, Cub Sport are the ethereal sound that you may’ve heard across Triple J with their hits ‘Come on Mess Me Up’ and ‘I Can’t Save You’. Their merch is also damn good too, because you can never have enough merch.
#4. Donny Benet
Mane Stage At Woolly Mammoth
If Kirin J Callinan and Nick Cave are your sort of scene, you can’t say no to this. Enter, Donny Benet. Touching the minds and hearts of audiences in Australia and around the world, Don’s sensual sound is sure to woo you at the Mane Stage. With subtle 80’s synth behind each track and even a collaboration with front woman of The Preatures Isabella Manfredi, Benet is heading from strength to strength.
#5. Hockey Dad
The Brightside & The Elephant Hotel
Hockey Dad; the brainchild of childhood mates Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming, with a sound driven from what they love most - surf, skate and rock and roll. Since forming in 2013, Hockey Dad have gathered over 154,000 monthly listeners and a serious passion for roaring crowds. As a top contender for this year’s BIGSOUND, we say Hockey Dad are a must-see.
#6. Mansionair
The Woolly Mammoth
Mansionair are the band that bring you peak warm, fuzzy feelings as you reflect on how far they've come. Since their 2014 hit ‘Hold Me Down’ that completely wiped out the charts, Mansionair are back with a incredibly heartfelt album and a single to match featuring on Netflix drama ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. Mysterious, ethereal and ultimately groovy, Mansionair are seriously high up on our lists.
#7. Ocean Alley
The New Globe Theatre
If the mellow sounds of Sticky Fingers took your fancy (and no, er, not yours after the Chicken Wing Fest), then boy do we have the perfect band for you. Ocean Alley; a mix of tropic sounds and vibrant riffs, and did we mention supported Tash Sultana this year nationally?! Catch ‘em at BIGSOUND, thank us later.
#8. Peter Bibby
The Foundry
Release after release and each time to deafening applause, Peter Bibby is back with a collection of (put bluntly) self-indulgent songs of girls, chairs and all the other happenings of an Aussie twenty-something. Butcher/Hairstylist/Beautician is the recorded result of musical mastermind of Peter Bibby, and just a portion of what to expect at BIGSOUND. We wouldn’t miss him, that’s for sure!
#9. TOTAL GIOVANNI
Ric’s Big Backyard
Earning serious notoriety for their vibrant and highly energetic live shows, TOTAL GIOVANNI live to do two things. Dance, and create music. With sets from smooth boogie to heartbreak house, TG has already played for big-name festivals Splendour in the Grass, Meredith and Sugar Mountain, and what’s a better way than to catch them at Ric’s on your weeknight.
#10. Willaris K.
The TBC Club
Twenty three years old and having already been compared to the likes of Radiohead and Bonobo, Willaris K is one not to miss. With a distinct mysterious feel and texture within his first debut ‘Alchemy’, Willaris K creates music that is something beautiful and something heart-wrenching, despite making you want to move to each beat simultaneously.
THE DETAILS
What: BIGSOUND Festival 2017
When: 5th–8th September, 2017
Where: Various Fortitude Valley venues.
For more info and full gig list, click here.
Image credit: Daniel Robert