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BIGSOUND Review
- Olive McCagh
- Sep 16
- 6 min read
By Olive McCagh, 2025
As a punter, I experienced BIGSOUND for its most important factor. The music, the bands, the one thing that the scene cannot live without. I find it ironic how little credit is given to artists in the day-to-day. With conferences, talks, and special events for industry people, or those who can afford to go along for the ride. It’s easy to forget, between the walls of social media, the grips of labels and industry talk, that they are the blood and heart of the scene.
Fortitude Valley was more than alive throughout the week, showing heart and soul, becoming the welcoming hub to punters, musicians and industry workers from across the nation. With Magandjin often left behind in the Australian music scene discourse, BIGSOUND becomes the best opportunity for the country to understand the ability and capacity Queensland holds to influence and play a major role. From established music venues like Black Bear Lodge and The Brightside, to up-and-coming venues like Blute’s and The Alligator Club, to transformations of grungy, edgy bars like Netherworld and the Valley’s most iconic clubs, The Prince Consort and Wonderland, the Valley evolved into something new, forming the perfect backdrop for this event.
Despite all the official nature of it all, BIGSOUND had moments for grassroots labels, venues and local promoters to showcase the talent of booked artists as well as local talent. Opening up the playing field to smaller, Queensland artists as well as punters who craved to be a part of it all.
OMIYA’s ‘Blown a Wish’ Unofficial Showcase:
Having begun only two years ago, Magandjin’s OMIYA is an independent label, booking, promotion and management agency that has woven its way into the backbone of Brisbane’s music scene. Taking over the iconic Valley bar, Netherworld, for three nights, they hosted “official” Bigsound bands alongside local and upcoming talent. These events hosted almost all my favourite acts and memories. Free tickets allowed for greater access to BIGSOUND festivities, and alongside other unofficial functions expanded the event past what was legitimised and ‘industry approved’. This opened the floor for those Queensland artists who missed out, granting opportunities in the underground scene.
Sleepazoid:
The alt-rock five-piece Sleepazoid joined the lineup Tuesday evening. Having entered the scene strongly last year with their debut EP ‘running with the dogs’, their quick come-up made these guys an act to watch. The sheer size of George Inglis’s pedal board was impressive enough, yet he assured us it wasn’t just for show. Tip-toeing between tones, his creative riffs flirted with those of dual guitarists Jim Duong. ‘3AM’ is such a strong follow-up to their critically-acclaimed EP, proving the band is yet to struggle under pressure – but thrive. Settling and moving into new sounds and spaces throughout their set. The attitude of singer Nette France wooed the crowd with pouts and cheek thrown across the room, hand-in-hand with her lyrics. It was a strong entrance into a massive week for Sleepazoid.
Special Features:
If I were going to say that Bigsound missed the mark, Special Features is why. Local post-punkers have been climbing the Magandjin scene for the past few years, gaining a loyal following through their raw storytelling, insane live presence and 90s references. ‘Che Guevara T-Shirt’ saw them climb past everyone’s favourite local up-and-comer to gain some national recognition. The four-piece took over Netherworld’s OMIYA showcase, playing to a completely packed-out room. Jeremy Sankey and Zac Carr’s vocals transported the audience between different worlds. Covering all ground, as tight as ever, Special Features embodied the fresh, innovative talent that is surfacing in Magandjin, “unofficially”.
‘Sounds Like Community Radio’:
4ZZZ hosted one of the most diverse and accessible events for the week on Wednesday, ‘Sounds Like Community Radio’, which connects community radio stations across the nation and showcases local and influential talent. Broadcast all over 102.1FM and the country’s Community Radio Network, Sonic Alien’s Jordan Royal and Goo’s Cassidy Burke navigated us through five hours of live music, interviews with bands and radio crew. A massive operation to air live performances out of the station’s carpark and studio, I heard Last Quokka’s rowdy performance from the comfort of my vehicle. 4ZZZ has broadcast from its Valley building since ‘92, and is Queensland’s longest-running community radio station, celebrating its 50th birthday this year. And alongside other community stations across Australia, they have platformed, celebrated, and supported local artists for decades, becoming an accessible hub for entering the music scene.
BADASSMUTHA:
‘Sounds Like Community Radio’ showcased one of my favourite sets of the week: BADASSMUTHA. Alongside her band, she took over the carpark, golden hour shining down as she guided the crowd through reggae-pop hits. Narrating stories, silly and fun, commanding attention and presence. She is a Githabul, Migunberri-Yugumbeh, Gamilaroi woman, and her performance displayed her ability to weave culture into flirty lyrics and hot beats.
Platonic Sex:
Platonic Sex are hometown heroes and a personal favourite, with a strong connection to 4ZZZ; they were a perfect headline to this event. Their debut album ‘Face to the Flywire’ is on its way, and the band displayed continuous growth and improvement with their set. I didn’t think they could get any better, but they did. Brando’s vocals sent waves through the car park, as the band drifted through heavy-hitter ‘Exhausted Competing for You’ and head-bangers like ‘Melons’. The four-piece Magandjin band had Brisbane’s youth in the palm of their hand, and they were front row, singing back to them. Rightfully so, each member played their instrument as if it were an extra limb, tied deep within them, projecting out a sound from truly within. Plat Sex is tangible proof of the influence and significance community radio plays in Australia’s music landscape.
Ullah:
All the way from the West Coast to the Brightside, Ullah was my most-anticipated act to see. With a voice that both haunts and comforts, Ullah and her band rose confidently to the height of the stage. ‘What Nightmares Are Made Of’ was unmissable, a barrier of young women sang the words back to Ullah, she has a beautiful knack for verbalising how we all feel. I feel lucky to watch the early days of a musician like her; her talent resides next to the greats for me – Julia Jacklin, Stella Donnelly and Courtney Barnett. Women who understand the way our stomachs sink and somehow transform unnerving moments into the songs that console us. Between songs, she entertained the crowd with her charm and undeniable wit. Ullah isn’t afraid to yearn, to be vulnerable, to want it all and to be scared. We rode those waves with her.
QUIVR Antidismal Event:
One of the Valley’s hottest bars QUIVR, hosted the not-so-secret Antidismal laneway party. Having blossomed out of the creative vision of Magandjin’s own Ixara, Antidismal platforms young artists through its label, distribution services and event promotion. The free, all-ages event spotlighted young talent from all over the country, with a lot of Triple J Unearthed High graduates gracing the lineup: George Alice, Zafty, Jett Blyton, heyzuko!, Theeth, Ownlife and a secret set from the winner of 2025, DRIZZZ. Events like this increase accessibility, inspire the next generation of musicians and prove that artists like Ixara have their finger on the pulse, taking and making opportunities to platform others.
Loose Content:
Naarm’s Loose Content was the talk of the town, and by town, I mean Fortitude Valley. Blur’s Dave Rowntree was a keynote speaker of the week and wasn’t shy to tell the crowd that Loose Content was his favourite band of the lineup. With a statement like that, my expectations were high for their set at Black Bear Lodge, Thursday night. Yet, the three-piece managed to outdo whatever idea I had in my head. With their debut EP ‘Costumes’ at the forefront of my mind, the explosive and visceral performance confronted these ideals. Leading-woman MiLLa haunted the room with her vocals, demanding and receiving control, Sam Sanders' riffs flowed between phrases, whilst Aquilla Porter demonstrated an aptitude for holding tension, as we pine for release. The Northern Rivers-born trio lived up to the name that they have made for themselves, and were a highlight of the week.
Bigsound 2025 was more than the official “lineup”, the city of Brisbane and its people displayed the potential our venues, artists and industry workers have. Embracing the leading talent of the nation, and becoming the perfect backdrop to a week of music-loving.
