In a few days time, the who’s who of the Australian music industry will gather in Brisbane for the annual conference and Bloody Mary brunch that is Bigsound.

Dozens and dozens of acts are set to appear at various showcases over the four days — which makes picking a schedule both a dream…and a nightmare. Do you go see Kota Banks or GRAACE? What about Erthlings or Mosquito Coast? How many times can you catch Loose Tooth?

You’re going to be happy wherever you end up, but there are a few acts on the bill this year that are absolute must-sees for any discerning music fan. So whatever you do, make sure they’re on your Bigsound 2018 schedule.

---

CXLOE

Australia is in on the verge of a new golden age of pop music, and Sydney-born, LA-based CXLOE is one of the acts boldly leading the charge.

Her latest single ‘Show You’ is a colossal pop banger, co-written in LA with Maroon 5’s Sam Farrar. She her now before she starts headlining festivals.

Bigsound Schedule

Wednesday, September 5 — 10.30pm at Family Bar
Thursday, September 6 — 9:50PM at The Flying Cock

---

Eilish Gilligan

Eilish Gilligan’s triple j unearthed profile describes her as a “songwriter and feelings-feeler”, which is apt. While the Melburnian only has a handful of tracks out, she’s established a distinct ability for emotionally-terse electronic pop which trades in restraint and sharp, clever hooks.

Take ‘Patterns’, her most recent single — Gilligan keeps things deceptively simple as she relays a story of heartbreak and self-examination, letting the shimmering synths indulge the pain that her voice betrays.

Bigsound Schedule

Tuesday September 4 — 9:50PM at The Flying Cock
Thursday September 6 — 10:30PM at Family

---

CLYPSO

Fresh off the back of a massive tour with What So Not, Sydney producer and vocalist CLYPSO will be heading up to Bigsound armed with her fresh new single ‘Pop Roll Flow’.

With a sound that has roots in early Santigold, M.I.A., and Major Lazer’s dancehall flirtations — CLYPSO is a singular force in the Australian scene.

Bigsound Schedule 

Tuesday, September 4 — 9:50PM at The Elephant Hotel
Wednesday, September 5 — 9:00PM at Famous Nightclub

---

The Beths

Earlier this month, The Beths’ debut album Future Me Hates Me blew up far beyond the band’s antipodean origins (they’re a trio of New Zealanders led by Perth’s Elizabeth Stokes), gaining glowing reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.

Listening, it’s not surprising: the four piece’s Indie slack-rock might be one of the better things Australia and New Zealand have collaborated on in recent years. Ear-worms aplenty, Future Me Hates Me signposts The Beths as a band destined to blow up, so catch ’em at their beginnings while you can.

Bigsound Schedule 

Tuesday September 4 — 11:30PM at Crowbar Black
Thursday September 6 — 5:00PM at The Brightside
Thursday September 6  — 10:30PM at Woolly Mammoth

---

Turquoise Prince

Since the release of his debut single ‘World’s Apart’, Turquoise Prince has been steadily asserting himself as one of Australia’s most promising rap and R&B star.

Over the last 18 months the Canberra native has chalked up festival slots at Groovin’ The Moo, Listen Out, and Spilt Milk, and in recent months he’s been tearing up the country on tour with Sydney’s Spit Syndicate.

His latest single, the moody and beguiling ‘Lighter’, has further cemented his position as an impending superstar.

Bigsound Schedule

Wednesday, 5th September — 11:20PM at 256 Wickham
Thursday, 6th September — 8:20PM at Ric’s Big Backyard

—

Bigsound 2018 runs from September 4 to 7 in Fortitude Valley — tickets are on sale now.