Tom Morello, Kev Carmody, Amy Shark, Tones and I and more announced as BIGSOUND 2020 speakers

The first announcement of BIGSOUND's 2020 virtual conference has just dropped, proving they're not letting a pesky pandemic get in the way of making a true splash this year. With none other than Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets Of Rage and The Nightwatchman leading the charge, this year's speaker line up is one of their biggest yet. The legendary Kev Carmody, ARIA-award winner Amy Shark, global superstar Tones and I, acclaimed journalist/actor/producer Rhoda Roberts, vital artist and activist Ziggy Ramo, American Grammy-nominee Mumu Fresh and many more also round out the bill.

Comedian Nats What I Reckon will deliver an exclusive cooking show, I OH YOU's Johann Ponniah is up for a keynote and globally respected tour and production manager and founder of CrewCare Australia Howard Freeman (Big Day Out, INXS, AC/DC, Eminem, Neil Young, Prince, Rolling Stones) will "host a poignant session exploring the hard realities of life on the road, the impacts it has on mental and physical health, and creating a culture of help-seeking."

Tom Morello said, “Join me at BIGSOUND to talk music, activism, and how the guitar can be a divining rod for truth and justice. The world is at a dangerous crossroads and it’s time to feed the poor, fight the power, and rock the f**k out.”

With COVID-19 restricting travel, BIGSOUND 2020 will be the first event in its 19-year history to go completely free and virtual. The event remains committed to its promise to “deliver for artists, be the place of the big discussions for industry,” and “be front and centre in bringing the community together at a time that has never been more important."

“BIGSOUND has been the meeting place of the music community for nearly two decades and the determination for this event to not only go ahead, but to thrive in a virtual environment is essential for our industry.” said QMusic CEO Angela Samut.

“BIGSOUND has been a leader for years in looking to future business models, mental health and a place of fairness and justice for First Nations peoples working in the music industry as well as giving tomorrow’s Australian icons a platform to learn and be discovered. Never have these things been more important. Never has BIGSOUND been more important.”

BIGSOUND’s second announcement and full program schedule will be unveiled at the end of September along with The BIGSOUND50, this year’s hottest Australian artists who will be exposed to the world and participate in a national and international networking program designed for the times.

FREE registration for BIGSOUND 2020 is now open at www.bigsound.org.au.

BIGSOUND 2020 FIRST KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT

Tom Morello

Kev Carmody

Tones And I

Amy Shark

Rhoda Roberts

Ziggy Ramo

Nat’s What I Reckon

Mumu Fresh

Howard Freeman

Johann Ponniah

Words by Emma Jones

Image: Supplied

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BIGSOUND SET TO GO VIRTUAL AND FREE WITH 2020 EVENT