Photo by Stephen Porter

BIGSOUND Brisbane brought big energy to the streets of Fortitude Valley last week, and as an Adelaide girl, the city definitely lived up to its nickname, BrisVegas. BIGSOUND, self proclaimed as “the biggest week in Australian music”, is a huge music conference by day, with networking events and industry panels across Fortitude Valley, and a festival by night. Aiming to showcase and platform emerging bands from all across Australia, BIGSOUND chooses 100 artists to perform over three nights in the centre of Brisbane’s entertainment district.

I spent the three nights running from different venues, dive bars to music halls, catching as many bands as possible, and meeting heaps of great people along the way. It’s safe to say, I had a ball. Though every performance I saw was fun, high quality, and really engaging, I’ve narrowed down my 5 top picks from the festival that absolutely blew me away.

Kyla Belle – NSW

IG @kylabelle_music

Photo by Davzon

Belting out transcending vocals, Kyla Belle and her band of family members had the audience in the palm of their hands, holding on to every lyric. The 17-year-old Gomeroi girl from Moree, Sydney was the winner of the Triple J Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative award in 2025 and is definitely one to watch. Playing upbeat but raw and heartfelt songs with her acoustic guitar, in her own country/pop/rock style, Kyla Belle graced the stage with poise, confidence, and gratitude.

I was able to catch two of her BIGSOUND showcases, one at Chatahoochie Joes, and one at The Brightside where Nooky jumped up for a surprise feature on their song “Took A Turn”. So good.

Kyla Belle’s latest song “Let Me Burn” is out now, listen here.

Birdland – WA

IG @birdland_band_

Seeing double? No, triple! Birdland, consisting of 18-year-old triplets, Oscar, Conrad and Francis, were a band that I heard a lot of chatter about at BIGSOUND, and for a good reason. Playing sun-soaked indie rock, the boys from Perth put on a really strong show that was very well received by the audience at Ric’s outdoor stage. The band were tight, with the kind of in-sync precision timing that can only come with practicing constantly, and maybe a bit of triplet telepathy. The two frontman’s vocals and harmonies blew me away,

As someone who can get a bit tired of Australian indie music, I was stunned by Birdland’s performance and their musicianship, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them.

Listen to Birdland’s debut EP He Was Me here.

LamBros. – NSW

IG @lambrosmusic

Photo by Sasha McCarthy

Blending sounds of country, soul, funk, blues and rock, LamBros. the talented brother duo from Sydney’s Northern Beaches put on an incredible show. The eclectic mix of sounds produce a genre-bending, upbeat, awe-inspiring performance, with frontman Connor shredding quick bluesy licks on acoustic guitar, layering with loop pedals, belting out soulful, raw vocals, and even whipping out harmonica solos. Drummer Harry thumps away on his homemade, hybrid drumkit, while also incorporating playing the didgeridoo at the same time.

LamBros. was another act I caught twice at BIGSOUND, and at both performances I observed the crowd to see the same reaction from every person there, wide eyes, huge smile slash stunned jaw dropped expression, hands clapping and feet moving. The brothers have just headed overseas for their first European tour, so make sure to catch them when they are back on home soil!

LamBros. have released their latest single “Never Let Me Go”, listen here.

Mertas – NT

IG @mertas.band

Photo by Raani Jade

Hailing heavy punk from the remote community of Nhulunbuy in Arnhem Land, the only NT band to play BIGSOUND this year Mertas pack a punch live. Another act that I was lucky enough to catch twice, they delivered

Performing songs about people that don’t respond to emails are “certified cunts”, and the confusion between “pots and pints”, Mertas are bringing back fun punk, electric performances, and anthems that you can scream along to.

Merta have released their latest single “CC”, listen here.

LIQUID ZOO – NSW

IG @liquidzoo.band

With a commanding stage presence this 5-piece rock band, LIQUID ZOO, got everyone in their audience moving. I stumbled across LIQUID ZOO’s set at Tomcats Bar on the second night of BIGSOUND and was instantly captivated. The rock ‘n’ roll band delivered an intense show that was nothing short of energetic, fun, and reminiscent of old school classic rock bands like The Rolling Stones.

“LOVE ANYONE LIKE YOU” is LIQUID ZOO’s latest single, listen here.