On the Sunday after BIGSOUND Festival, I am reflecting on the previous week and the experience of the three days, both as a lover of music and in recording the experience on behalf of Depth Magazine.
To be honest, in the lead-up to the event and also during, pretty much everything that could go wrong did: I could not source a photographer despite a flurry of messages and attempts to do so. I spent most of the second day of the festival not sure where I would be staying that night after the hotel lost my booking. Media passes could not be located when I arrived at BIGSOUND HQ, and performance anxiety followed me around like it was my very best frenemy.
So to still come away from BIGSOUND feeling like it was a great experience says a lot about the music. I had the pleasure of soaking up fifteen bands, most for the first time. Here’s a deep dive into the artists/shows that were covered through the week.
Lead-Up
In the lead-up to BIGSOUND, I made a list of the bands I wanted to check out, as well as checked out new-to-me bands. BIGSOUND is a cross-genre music event and it was great to see the heavier end of the spectrum be solidly represented.
- Spotlight on PLTS: http://www.depthmag.com/bigsound-spotlight-plts/
- Spotlight on Easy Life: http://www.depthmag.com/bigsound-spotlight-easy-life/
- Spotlight on Endless Heights: http://www.depthmag.com/bigsound-spotlight-endless-heights/
- Spotlight on Hockey Dad: http://www.depthmag.com/bigsound-spotlight-hockey-dad/
Night One
On the first night, I got familiar with Crowbar and spent the evening there, soaking up five bands (and also soaking up some Mountain Goat Pale Ale). On show were Belle Haven, Deadlights, Easy Life, Pagan and The Comfort.
Night Two
On the second night, I moved between venues and split between Crowbar and the impressive 256 Wickham for Dear Seattle, Driven Fear, Drown This City, Belle Haven and Polaris.
BIGSOUND Night #2: Melodic Heaviness at Crowbar and 256 Wickham
Night Three
On the third night, I found that the schedule I had created for myself prior to the festival was all wrong. So I scrapped it and wandered around the Valley. It had a happy ending though, and I caught Deadlights, PLTS, Tempest Rising, The Beautiful Monument, and Endless Heights.
Musicians Are The Best People
In between bands was an opportunity to get to know music-making people who were enjoying the festival just like the rest of us. It was a highlight to speak with these musicians that I admire, and give appreciation to what they’ve created, talking about all things creativity, even if they weren’t at the venue to perform.
So while everything possible seemed to go wrong for me in Fortitude Valley this week, the solid line-up of Australian heavy music being showcased was extremely right, and made the entire experience of BIGSOUND worthwhile.
Whether they were playing to less than 20 people or playing to a packed 256 Wickham, these bands worked through technical issues, and at times their own personal issues, to bring the best that they had for the people that were present. Each of the hard-working bands I’ve mentioned here should be given a decent listen to.
So thank you BIGSOUND, for the experience, the music, the connections, and the good times.
Until next year?
