BIGSOUND descended onto Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley for its twenty-first year as the southern hemisphere’s biggest celebration of new music. With over 180 artists performing across 21 venues in just three nights – the festival can be a little overwhelming to first-timers and seasoned attendees alike.
There are so many incredible showcases put together by venues, labels and music services, that it’s hard to know where to start. So, where do you? Sometimes, the best option is to let the night take you where it wants to go. Pick one artist or venue as your starting point and choose your own adventure from there.
And from my own adventures, here are my five highlights from BIGSOUND 2022:
PLATONIC SEX
It was easy to see the love for Meanjin locals Platonic Sex from the get-go. Their first performance at BIGSOUND 2022 pulled in a crowd of punters from the streets, immediately captivating them with singer Bridget Brandolini’s unique, powerful vocals and the band’s punchy accompaniment. Opening their set with latest release ‘Devil’s Advocate’ these four alt-rockers drive their sound with swelling guitars and crashing drums as they look towards releasing their debut EP this year.
Delving further into the music, Platonic Sex offer thoughtful, honest lyrics broaching topics such as mansplaining (‘Devil’s Advocate’) and the hardships of being in a queer relationship with someone who isn’t publicly ‘out’ (‘Disappoint Another’). Brandolini’s vocals bring these lyrics to life through varying techniques, harnessing the growing popularity of sprechgesang to tell these stories in a way that resonates with audiences and makes them pay close attention to the lyrics.
Despite their surprised excitement for the masses that came out early to support them, it’s clear Platonic Sex are a band that resonates with the young music loving crowd as their words are sung in full force back to them. With a powerful alt-rock sound behind them, propping up the full swell of emotion this band radiates, the four-piece should expect plenty more packed crowds as they move onto headlining local venues and beyond.
KEYAN
What started off as creating YouTube and social media videos in his bedroom has led to modern heavy guitarist KEYAN, making his debut at BIGSOUND with three performances in Fortitude Valley this week.
The Kaurna Land based guitarist brings drummer Steven Mathews and bassist Kynan Mallia along for their first interstate shows as a group. Their second performance of the week, at local iconic venue The Zoo offered only a small crowd, but a dedicated one nonetheless. Their heavy instrumental sound caused the walls and floor to vibrate from start to finish and drew the scattered crowd immediately to the front of the stage. KEYAN and friends clearly have a deep love for the music that brings them together, which shows throughout the performance when bassist Kynan playfully kicks their leader as joy emanates off the pair and they all share smiles.
KEYAN manages to translate his highly streamed bedroom content into an impressively tight live performance. No vocals are needed in this set-up as all three musicians play off each other comfortably and hold the attention of the crowd through mind-blowing fretwork and percussion. Although beginning as a project for online audiences, KEYAN has proved his music belongs on the stage, his notable guitar skills welcoming to fans of heavy music.
FULL FLOWER MOON BAND
One of the top recommended bands of BIGSOUND 2022 may need no introduction to those familiar with the Brisbane music scene, but Full Flower Moon Band certainly caught the attention of new audiences as they sauntered onto the line-up.
Just weeks after the release of their brand new album ‘Diesel Forever’, this classic rock outfit with a modern twist packed out their first of three shows during BIGSOUND. Frontwoman Babyshakes Dillon explores an alter ego persona that harks back to the bravado of 70s American rockers complete with fur coats and old school guitar riffs.
The magic in Full Flower Moon Band however, lies with their ability to turn these classic tropes into a modern storyline. This is evident in the carefully thought out lyricism of tracks such as ‘NY – LA’ which turns a classic tale of glamorous touring on its head, “Melbourne to Brisbane different town same thing / We can sleep together, save on Airbnb.”
The band constantly reminds the audience of their presence, repeating their name in between each song almost like a mantra; or an invitation to join them in their quest for success. One which audiences seem to have gladly accepted, as anyone who walks into the room unaware, leaves a fully-fledged fan.
EASTBOUND BUZZ
Our chosen venue on BIGSOUND’s first night is Warner Street’s The Brightside, situated next to a church-turned-mini golf course. Upon entering, a sparse crowd situates themselves as Wagga Wagga born, now Naarm-based, alt-rockers Eastbound Buzz jump straight into the night’s first set.
The childhood friends have been releasing music since 2018 and it’s clear the five-piece are comfortable with each other on stage, with smooth song transitions and perfectly timed, synchronised guitar drops punctuating their well-rehearsed set. The band flit from harder Americana-tinged riffs to slower ballads as more punters slowly filter in and creep closer to the stage.
WIIGZ
Squeezing through the growing crowd to The Brightside’s outdoor stage (a cool feature that allows double the lineup), Meanjin pop duo ‘WIIGZ’ are busy creating a mini festival out the back of the venue. The dance/pop duo have the audience in the palm of their hands, commanding everyone to get down low in their corsets and sunglasses. ‘WIIGZ’ walk off the stage halfway through their set, only to return as their confident alter egos in neon wigs. Through quips sneered into the mic, synchronised dances and bouncing basslines the duo oozed confidence of a well-seasoned act, despite only forming 18 months ago.
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The magic of BIGSOUND is that you don’t have to stray far to be offered a diverse variety of artists. Show up early and you might even discover your new favourite emerging band getting sweaty in a packed room of like-minded music lovers.
The one thing that ties these acts together, despite being vastly different, is the joy that seeing them perform on stage has brought audiences. In a week full of conferences and industry events, it’s easy to get lost in the seriousness of this industry. Despite that, however, these acts remind us what we’re all here for – to see and get lost in some epic live music.
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This feature has been published as part of The Music Writer’s Lab initiative, developed between MusicNT and Australia Council of The Arts. For more information, visit www.themusicwriterslab.com.
Pictured in Header: FULL FLOWER MOON BAND by Bruce Baker
