The Ten Artists You Must See At BIGSOUND 2014

If you're a fan of Australian music, you must have heard of BIGSOUND. Australia's answer to Austin's South by Southwest, Brisbane's annual music conference/festival is tailor made for true music fans and industry reps alike. Although the event doesn't boast huge international headline acts, BIGSOUND does something better. The three-day event helps to unearth and promote up-and-coming Australian and New Zealand acts, as well as informing the world of the current and future trends and ideas cooking within the music industry.

Bigwigs from all over the world head to Brisbane's Fortitude Valley to check out what Australia has to offer, and it can be a huge boost for any band on the lineup to simply attend and connect with the right people to help them on the way to stardom. There's a significant amount of networking afoot for Aussie artists wanting to snag an overseas door-opener.

Best of all, BIGSOUND attracts thousands of punters into Fortitude Valley over two nights to witness 140 bands play across 14 venues. They don’t call it BIGSOUND for nothing. There is a lot to see and do. If you're struggling to decide who to check out on Wednesday or Thursday night, we have handpicked a few artists that, in our humble opinion, are absolute must-sees.

Bad//Dreems

Adelaide rock foursome Bad//Dreems have been on a roll over the past two years after meeting at their local football club. The lads have earned high acclaim for their brand of straight shootin' rock and roll that embodies the dispassionate psyche of our youth under that hot Australian sun. These guys put on a great show — mark them on your timetable and make sure you're front row when they rock out.

Wednesday night: JBL Live Stage, The Brightside (Outdoor) @ 9:40pm.

Blank Realm

Brisbane band Blank Realm are the dark horse of Australian music. After making moves in the underground, this psych rock band has been playing some big festivals overseas including Glastonbury, Spain's Benicassim and Valkhof Festival in the Netherlands. Their past two albums have also been widely critically acclaimed, so find out what's behind the hype and see this band.

Wednesday night: New Globe Theatre @ 11:20pm.

Client Liaison

Melbourne duo Client Liaison produces pop music that oozes style. Although retro in aesthetic, Client Liaison are entirely new age. Don’t let the big hair and glittery synthesizers fool you – the debut EP from these dudes is a modern slice of cool. If you want to dance at BIGSOUND, stop by and check out Client Liaison.

Thursday night: triple j Unearthed Stage, Oh Hello! @ 11:30pm.

D.D Dumbo

Castlemaine multi-instrumentalist, D.D Dumbo aka Oliver Hugh Perry specialises in minimalist compositions that incorporates traditional instruments with percussive loops and crooning vocals. D.D Dumbo’s 'Tropical Oceans' is one of the best songs of the year by one of the most unique artists operating today. One of Splendour's runaway goalkickers, make sure you have D.D at the top of your priorities.

Wednesday night: Alhambra Lounge @ 11:20pm.

Klo

Klo is cousins Simon Lam and Chloe Kaul. The duo are one of the freshest on the BIGSOUND lineup, having only started making music together in 2013. Lush electronic arrangements mix with ethereal and dreamy vocals to make an alluring sound, one that will take Klo very far.

Wednesday night: triple j Unearthed Stage, Oh Hello! @ 9:50pm.

Oscar Key Sung

As one part of Oscar + Martin, Oscar Slorach-Thorn grew accustomed to playing big stages. Under his solo guise, Oscar Key Sung, the producer has created some of the best tunes in the tightly-knit Australian electronic spectrum. OKS has toured internationally and has sold out more shows than he can count; his performance is sure to be BIGSOUND highlight.

Wednesday night: inthemix Stage, Woolly Mammoth @ 11:30pm.

Pikelet

Evelyn Morris has been performing as Pikelet since 2007, sharing the stage with some of the best in the game over the years. If Sufjan Stevens, Goldfrapp and Devendra Banhart are names you're fond of, make sure you check out the musician they handpicked as their support act.

Thursday night: The Underdog @ 8:50pm.

Teeth & Tongue

New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based musician Jess Cornelius is Teeth & Tongue. Her third album, GRIDS, is a great collection of emotive pop — drum machine and evocative guitar lines are her forte, songs about love, loss and life are her passion. Critically acclaimed and well travelled, Teeth & Tongue is a sure BIGSOUND thing.

Wednesday night: Black Bear Lodge @ 9pm.

Tkay Maidza

If you've turned on the radio over the past 12 months, you've certainly heard Tkay Maidza. The 18-year-old's massive hit, 'Brontosaurus' got feet stomping nationwide. Fresh from huge appearances at Splendour in the Grass and Groovin'The Moo, the Zimbabwe-born, Australia-raised MC is on a rapid rise to international recognition. Be there for bragging rights before she takes over the world.

Thursday night: JBL Live Stage, The Brightside (Outdoor) @ 9:40pm.

Yeo

Brisbane-raised, Melbourne-based Yeo is a worldly soul who creates evocative and emotive R&B electronica. This super talented musician writes, records and produces his own music, entirely in control of his own unique artistic vision. Anyone with such talent and drive is worth seeing, especially the sonically intriguing Yeo.

Wednesday night: inthemix Stage, Woolly Mammoth @ 9pm.

The go-to happening for Australian music fans and industry leaders alike, BIGSOUND is your ticket to big gigs, big rubbing shoulders ops and even bigger ideas.

Check out the full BIGSOUND program of panels, events and gigs right here.