Queensland – the home of BIGSOUND. For the past three days, industry professionals, musicians, and curious onlookers gathered in the heart of Fortitude Valley for the Southern Hemisphere’s largest music conference – with performances, panels, and networking events aplenty.
Music lovers flew into Queensland from all around the country. We even had some international guests, ranging from New Zealand to Taiwan to America’s best export, Kelis, who was the keynote speaker for the event.
But what about the artists who didn’t have to travel? The local Sunshine State artists who didn’t get enough credit for bringing the vibes up?
That’s what The Music is here for. So, without further ado, we present the Queensland artists we loved at BIGSOUND 2024.
Beddy Rays
It’s no surprise that the newest additions to The Triffid’s Wall of Heroes played a banger set. Beddy Rays, the coastal rock band hailing from Redland Bay, were pros at hyping up the massive crowd who piled into The Prince Consort. Not even slightly shockingly, Sobercoaster was the highlight of their set, with an electric energy that is impossible to replicate.
Bean Magazine
One of the most anticipated Queensland acts at BIGSOUND, Bean Magazine packed out Tomcat easily. The indie rock trio, set to open for The Rubens’ national tour in October, knew how to put on a show. Jumping around, encouraging audience participation, and just generally looking like they were having the time of their lives, the set was a head-banging extravaganza.
LOVELOVELOVE
Bringing more of a mellow vibe to the showcases, Brisbane indie-pop staples LOVELOVELOVE played all of their hits, including Valentine, Good Thing, and Ultraviolet. A crowd favourite was their modernised version of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, but the standout of their set was a new bop that’s sure to get stuck in your head – whenever they release it.
Miiesha
Proud Woorabinda woman Miiesha was a force to be reckoned with. The R&B powerhouse had personality for days and a voice to match. Belting out notes effortlessly, the ARIA award winner had audiences both captivated and dancing at the same time. She even played an unreleased track acoustically, and it’s safe to say it’ll be a hit.
Lottie McLeod
Seamlessly switching between upbeat and chill tracks, Lottie McLeod transported her audience into the poignant soundtrack of a coming-of-age movie. The indie-pop artist had the crowd wrapped around her finger, with them even pulling out the flashlights for a particularly dreamy acoustic track.
Sunny Luwe
With a name like Sunny Luwe, it should come as no shock to absolutely no one that the soul-pop singer epitomises sunshine. Radiating happiness, her stage presence was unmatched, and her voice had the range and strength of an artist like Christina Aguilera. The Wailwan woman is one to keep an eye on, for sure.
Miles Nautu
A genre-defying prodigy, Miles Nautu mixed rap with a live jazz band… and it actually worked for him. His raw lyrics brought a sense of authenticity to his set, and his flow was not to be messed with. His laid-back vibe really allowed his audience to sit with his music and just appreciate what it was – a damn good performance.
Homegrown Trio
Rarely do siblings work together as well as Homegrown Trio do. The Charters Towers family had harmonies for days, blending together their country twang in perfect euphony. After living in Nashville for the past three years, Homegrown Trio have fine-tuned their outback-style sound in the birthplace of country music. Also, their cover of Chappell Roan’s Good Luck Babe? 10/10. No notes.
JUNO
If the concept of “fun” were personified, it would be JUNO. The indie-pop duo were the most energetic set of the night by a long shot. On top of that, frontwoman Kahlia Ferguson can hit any note as if she were a professional boxer. JUNO’s fanbase must be committed because when their latest track, bleach, began, empty bleach bottles were lifted up by the crowd – much to the pleasant surprise of the band.
Julian Munyard
There’s a 90% chance Julian Munyard walked straight out of a Beatles album cover. His groovy tracks, backed up by an equally funky band, had the whole crowd doing a little dance. The Sunshine Coast singer’s set was the epitome of kaleidoscopic pop, complete with a tambourine.
Dizzy Days
Brisbane’s favourite disco-dance girl group, Dizzy Days, lived up to expectations. As always, their set was chockablock full of energy, with frontwoman Aisling O’Bryne hitting all the notes with ease as she flounced around the stage. The only criticism? They’ve been playing Creeping for over a year without dropping it. Release the track, I beg.
This New Light
Think Noah Kahan, but make it a Sunshine Coast local, and you will get This New Light. His folk tracks had the whole crowd swaying. Fresh off the back of supporting The Dreggs on their tour – and another on the way – This New Light is on the up-and-up.
You know what’s good about BIGSOUND being in Queensland? Even though it’s over, you can still see these artists right here in Fortitude Valley. While all the other musicians fly home to their various states, the Brisbane scene continues on. Make sure to pay attention.
