The Bigsound 2025 Lineup Is Here and It’s All Killer, No Filler

June 12, 2025 267 2 5

Four days. Eighteen venues. One epic celebration of Australia’s next-gen music legends.

Bigsound 2025 – Australia’s premier music discovery festival – has officially unveiled its highly anticipated artist lineup. The event will turn Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley into the southern hemisphere’s epicentre of emerging music from 2–5 September 2025. Over 120 homegrown artists are set to showcase their talent across 18 live venues in a completely all-Australian lineup. This year’s Bigsound is proudly spotlighting local talent – no international headliners, just the next wave of Aussie artists ready to make a big sound of their own.

When, Where, and How to Experience Bigsound 2025?

Dates & Location: Bigsound 2025 runs from Tuesday 2 September to Friday 5 September 2025 in Brisbane’s iconic Fortitude Valley live music precinct. By night, dozens of showcases will take over the Valley’s bars and clubs, turning the neighborhood into a choose-your-own-adventure of gigs. One wristband gives attendees access to all performances – 120+ artists across 18 venues – plus a closing night party. From open-air stages under the stars to cozy indie clubs, Bigsound invites fans to wander between venues and discover new favorite bands at every turn.

Tickets: Early-bird tickets go on sale 9am Friday, 13 June via the official Bigsound website.
Fans can grab a 3-night festival pass for an affordable $79 + booking fee (early bird rate) – a steal for the full Bigsound experience.
Single-night tickets are also available (from $49 standard, or just $25 for under-25s). All tickets are through Bigsound’s partner Oztix, so head to bigsound.org.au to book your wristband and secure your spot. With past Bigsound events selling out, it’s wise to jump on tickets early and save.

A New Wave of Homegrown Talent!

Bigsound has a reputation for breaking the next generation of Australian music stars, and 2025’s lineup is no exception. The bill boasts 120+ acts spanning rock, pop, indie, hip hop, R&B, punk, electronic, folk and more – truly something for every taste. Topping this year’s roster are names like WAFIA and KAIIT, two soulful powerhouses each embarking on exciting new chapters. Wafia, a global alt-R&B sensation, returns home after releasing her acclaimed debut album Promised Land. Kaiit – a Papua New Guinean-Australian neo-soul artist from Melbourne/Naarm – is gearing up to drop a long-awaited debut LP (And Off She Goes) and joins Bigsound fresh off an APRA Award win. These two artists are among the most buzzed-about on the lineup, and their Bigsound showcases promise to be highlights.

They’re joined by an incredibly diverse mix of rising stars. One notable inclusion is Inkabee, a Perth/Boorloo hip hop prodigy who, at just 12 years old, becomes one of the youngest artists ever to play Bigsound. Inkabee has already wowed crowds with viral performances at SXSW and even on America’s Got Talent, and he’ll be bringing that youthful energy to Brisbane’s stages. On the other end of the spectrum, veteran rockers The Southern River Band (from Perth) will deliver riff-heavy, high-octane rock ’n’ roll – they’ve built a fierce live reputation with four albums and festival slots from Europe’s Download to Hellfest. Sydney’s Azure Ryder, an indie-pop songstress who had a breakout year touring the UK, is another exciting addition, set to bring her dreamy vocals back to Aussie audiences.

Brisbane’s own Hatchie leads the hometown contingent, ensuring local representation on the Bigsound stage. Hatchie (Harriette Pilbeam) is beloved for her blend of dreamy pop and shoegaze soundscapes, and as an AIR Award and J Award nominee she’s already a fixture in the Australian indie scene. After making waves with her acclaimed second album in 2022, Hatchie will remind Bigsound crowds why she’s been such a striking part of the Australian indie songbook.

This all-Aussie lineup is a point of pride for Bigsound’s organizers. Festival programmers Casey O’Shaughnessy and Katie Rynne – backed by an advisory group of music industry experts – curated the 2025 program to reflect the incredible depth of talent in Australia. “The artists we’ve selected reflect the incredible depth of talent in Australia, and each one is doing truly exciting things with their music. We’re so proud of this group and can’t wait to see them bring Fortitude Valley to life in September,” the programmers shared in a joint statement. Indeed, Bigsound has been the launching pad for many Aussie superstars – Flume, Tash Sultana, Tones And I, Courtney Barnett, and more all got early breaks here. With 2025’s new wave of culture-shifting artists, attendees just might witness the next big thing before the rest of the world catches on.

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Four Must-See Artists at Bigsound 2025

Among the extensive lineup, a few emerging artists stand out as ones you don’t want to miss. In particular, keep an eye (and ear) out for these four buzzworthy acts making waves in their hometown scenes and beyond:

Darcie Haven (Perth, WA)

An 18-year-old singer-songwriter quickly on the rise, Darcie Haven is barely two years into her career but already turning heads in the Australian music scene. Raised on a remote farm in WA, she taught herself guitar by poring over Missy Higgins and Taylor Swift songs – influences you can hear in her honest, diary-like indie pop. Within her first year of releasing music, Darcie had already scored support slots for Vance Joy and San Cisco.

Her songwriting is confessional and raw – “I try to write as honestly as possible… I want to make music that feels like it’s been stolen straight from my journal.” Expect her Bigsound sets to be intimate, heartfelt, and deeply authentic. She’s one of Perth’s most promising exports and Bigsound is the perfect place to catch her early.

Hatchie (Brisbane, QLD)

Hometown hero Hatchie brings a lush dream-pop sound that has won acclaim both in Australia and overseas. With shimmering guitars and hazy, emotive melodies, Hatchie’s music washes over you like a blissful wave of sound. She broke out with the shoegaze-pop hit “Sure” in 2018, and her 2022 album Giving The World Away cemented her status as one of Brisbane’s brightest musical exports.

An AIR Award winner and J Award nominee, Hatchie has proven her songwriting chops and earned comparisons to Cocteau Twins and Candy Claws for her ethereal style. Bigsound will be a bit of a victory lap on home turf – and a chance for her to showcase new material and fan favorites alike. If you love dreamy indie pop and want to support Brisbane talent, Hatchie’s set is a can’t-miss.

Purée (Adelaide, SA)

Pronounced like the smoothie, Purée is an Adelaide four-piece delivering high-energy indie rock with a mischievous grin. The band – Matt, Liam, Jack and Mackenzie – infuse a happy-go-lucky spirit into their music, blending catchy hooks with a playful attitude. Their tracks are unapologetically powerful, heartfelt, and euphoric – while still managing to make you laugh along the way.

They’ve built a passionate local fan base in Adelaide’s scene, known for raucous live shows and a tight-knit camaraderie on stage. Their 2024 single “I Guess You Were Right” hinted at a band growing into their own, and their Bigsound performance will likely be a joyous, mosh-friendly affair that leaves you buzzing.

The Tullamarines (Adelaide, SA)

Another rising act from Adelaide, The Tullamarines offer a fresh take on indie rock with four distinct voices at the helm. Described as “the amalgamation of four distinct voices in Adelaide,” the band tells its stories through a unique yet shared perspective. Their music is melodic and heartfelt, with a sound that nods to Ball Park Music and Middle Kids.

The Tullamarines have already begun turning heads nationally – their single “Running on Empty” was added to full rotation on triple j earlier this year, a huge milestone for any emerging band. With lively guitar riffs, earnest lyrics, and harmonic gang vocals, their songs are built to be shouted back by crowds. Don’t be surprised if you leave their Bigsound showcase with one of their choruses stuck in your head.

Get Ready for Bigsound 2025

Bigsound 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for fans of Australian music. It’s not just a festival – it’s a snapshot of the future of Aussie music, all unfolding over three thrilling nights in Brisbane. Whether you’re an industry insider scouting the next big signing, or just a music lover eager to discover new favorites, Bigsound offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

“BIGSOUND is a highlight on our calendar of events, helping amplify Queensland’s reputation as a vibrant cultural destination,” said Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek, reinforcing how the festival supports local artists and strengthens the live music scene.

Indeed, the community vibe at Bigsound is something special: the whole Fortitude Valley comes alive with artists, fans, and music professionals hopping between venues, all in search of the next song that will blow them away.

With a lineup featuring both acclaimed names and underground gems, the 2025 edition promises the same magic that helped launch alumni like Flume, Tones And I, and Courtney Barnett. From Wafia’s soulful anthems to Purée’s rambunctious rock, from Hatchie’s dreamy pop to Darcie Haven’s heartfelt tunes, there’s a smorgasbord of soundswaiting to be discovered. And the best part? It’s all homegrown. Bigsound 2025 is proudly shining a spotlight on Australian artists – no international acts needed to pack out these venues.

So mark your calendars for September 2–5 and grab your tickets while you can. Whether you’re keen to support your local favorites or find the next big thing, Bigsound 2025 invites you to dive in and embrace the future of Aussie music. See you in the Valley this spring – let’s make some noise!