Julia Jacklin, trials, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Confirmed for Artist in Conversations at BIGSOUND
NEW WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY GUESTS INCLUDE BONNAROO, MOM+POP, PARTISAN RECORDS, PITCHFORK AND SOHO HOUSE
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard (Lucas Hardwood & Stu Mackenzie), trials, Julia Jacklin
International guests confirmed for BIGSOUND 2026 – Partisan Records, Pitchfork, Bonnaroo, Soho House, MOM+POP (US), ROAM Artists (UK), Reeperbahn (GER), DMT Law Firm (US), Carpark Records (US), The Great Escape (UK), True Panther (US) and SXSW (US)
Artist In Conversations confirmed – Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard), Julia Jacklin, and trials
Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now, Delegate Tickets from $699 – visit bigsound.org.au to take advantage, early bird offer ends Monday, 30 June 2026
Magandjin (Brisbane), Queensland – BIGSOUND is excited to announce esteemed international industry guests, as well as its first wave of Artist In Conversation for their 25th anniversary edition this September 1-4, 2026.
This year, BIGSOUND is focused on delivering more opportunities for delegates to connect directly with the global market, with an expanded focus on facilitated networking, conversations and meetings throughout the week. With more networking events than ever before, this year’s BIGSOUND aims to nurture meaningful connections, with the return of our roundtables, conversation corners, curated meetings, and bigger-better mixers. BIGSOUND is excited to bring an expertly curated and diverse program of networking events, panels and discussions to connect Australian artists and industry with international delegates; ranging from festivals, labels, sync, media, agents and more.
Bringing over a decade of experience from a massive career as part of one of Australia’s most prolific rock groups, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, delegates will have the chance to hear from Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood as they reflect on their career. Taking the BIGSOUND stage in 2013, this Melbourne band caught the attention of punters and music industry alike, building momentum before catapulting into a career filled with a ton of music, massive wins and everything in between. With over 25 albums to their name, this globally known collective has remained steadfast in their creative vision and approach to art, leading them into the overseas market and becoming one of the most important bands of their generation.
Acclaimed songwriter and musician, Julia Jacklin also joins the BIGSOUND Artist in Conversation lineup; the multi ARIA Award nominee whose catalogue of striking alt-pop and indie music has won her a global audience made her first appearance at BIGSOUND in 2016 – just ahead of the release of her seminal debut album Don’t Let The Kids Win. Jacklin has become one of Australia’s finest songwriters and performers, known as a master of emotional storytelling – most recently evidenced on her ARIA-nominated album PRE PLEASURE. Jacklin has proven time and again her enduring talent, and has taken it to the world. In 2026, Jacklin returns to international stages, having signed her first-ever global record deal with 4AD, marking an exciting new chapter for the artist.
Award-winning Ngarrindjeri hip hop producer, composer and innovator, trials has been a driving force behind some of Australia’s most important projects. With funkoars, one of Australian hip hop’s most respected groups, and then with A.B. ORIGINAL, his powerful project with Yorta Yorta artist Briggs, trials is one of the country’s most important creatives. In 2026, trials has stepped out into the solo spotlight, releasing his long-awaited debut album hendle to widespread acclaim.
Included in today’s international guest announcement:
Partisan Records – Chris Fraser (Head of A&R): joined Partisan in May 2025, working closely with label founder Tim Putnam in overseeing the current and future roster, helping to bring their creative vision to life. With offices in New York, London and Los Angeles, Partisan has signed Geese/Cameron Winter as well as Blondshell, and works with artists including IDLES, Cigarettes After Sex, PJ Harvey, Ezra Collective and Laura Marling; as well as launching the career of Fontaines D.C.
Pitchfork – Nina Corcoran (Associate Staff Writer): Chicago-based, joined the staff team in 2021 after contributing to the website since 2015. She’s also written for Rolling Stone, Wired, NPR and Stereogum, and was previously the music editor of alt-weekly newspaper, DigBoston.
Bonnaroo – Bryan Benson (Music Exec, Talent Buyer): Bryan Benson is a live music executive and talent buyer helping book and curate lineups for major festivals including Bonnaroo, Boston Calling, Railbird and High Water. Benson is also the Lead Buyer for Live Nation in Nashville, where he oversees bookings for venues across the city, including Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, FirstBank Amphitheatre, Ascend Amphitheatre, and Live Nation’s new iconic room, The Truth.
Mom+Pop Music – Thaddeus Rudd (Co-Owner): Thaddeus Rudd co-owns New York-based independent Mom+Pop Music alongside Michael Goldstone. With a roster spanning Magdalena Bay, Porter Robinson, Courtney Barnett, MGMT and Underscores, and a back catalogue including Flume and Tash Sultana to name a few, Mom+Pop is an independent label force to be reckoned with.
Soho House London – Jessica Moss (Music Programming): Jessica Moss leads music programming at Soho House London, with over 100 events a month across the UK and Europe, working with a huge range of artists and genres from Skepta and the Wu-Tang Clan, to Honey Dijon, KAYTRANADA and Nubya Garcia.
