Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Julia Jacklin, and trials, lead the first wave of Artist In Conversation sessions at BIGSOUND 2026, one of the most popular daytime spots during Australia’s annual conference and showcase smorgasbord.
King Gizz, as they’re affectionately known in these parts, are BIGSOUND alum, having performed during the nighttime program back in 2013. The prolific group has gone on to own their lane in the psych-rock space, smashing out a remarkable 25 albums (including five in one year), launching a label (p(doom) Records) and standing out as one of Australia’s leading music exports.
Jacklin, too, has graced the BIGSOUND showcase stages. The indie alt-pop artist made her BIGSOUND debut in 2016, just ahead of the release of Don’t Let The Kids Win, the first of her three studio albums.
A two-time ARIA Award winner, Jacklin this week announced her first-ever global record deal with venerated indie label 4AD, and shared details of her 2026/27 tour that will see her perform throughout North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
Also confirmed for BIGSOUND’s Artist In Conversation lineup is Ngarrindjeri hip-hop producer, composer and innovator, a founding member of Funkoars and one half of A.B. ORIGINAL, his politically-charged project with Yorta Yorta artist Briggs (an Artist in Conversation participant at last year’s BIGSOUND) that won two ARIA Awards and the coveted Australian Music Prize for best Australian album of the year (with 2016’s Reclaim Australia).
Trials (real name: Daniel Rankine) recently supported Hilltop Hoods on their 10-date arena tour of Australia, and last month released his debut solo project hendle. Also, he has been throwing his support behind Full Stop Australia, one of the country’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services, with profits of his merchandise t-shirt sales from every show donated to the organization.
Previous Artist In Conversation guests have included Tony Watson (aka Tones And I), Kelis, Mallrat, Blur’s Dave Rowntree, and Amy Taylor of Amyl And The Sniffers.
This year’s 25th anniversary edition of BIGSOUND will play out in the vibrant entertainment district that is Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, from Sept. 1-4.
International guests confirmed for BIGSOUND 2026 include reps from Partisan Records, Pitchfork, Bonnaroo, Soho House, MOM+POP, ROAM Artists, Reeperbahn, DMT Law Firm, Carpark Records, The Great Escape, True Panther and SXSW.
“BIGSOUND has always been a place where real connections happen, and this year we’re focused on creating even more opportunities for Australian and New Zealand artists and industry to connect with each other and the global market,” comments Kristy Ellis, interim CEO, QMusic, producers of BIGSOUND. “The program focuses on the conversations the industry is having right now — how the business is changing, how we stay ahead, and how Australian and New Zealand artists continue to grow on the global stage.”
Visit bigsound.org.au for more information.
