BIGSOUND 2023 was awesome to say the least. With three jam packed days full of live performances, panel discussions and keynotes amongst other things focused around Australian music, it’s fair to say that we at triple j Unearthed were in our element! If you wanna learn more about BIGSOUND head to this article…
BIGSOUND Questions Answered with triple j Unearthed
Otherwise, here’s everything that went down at the Unearthed stage at a the 2023 BIGSOUND...
Day one:
Ixaras
Opening the Unearthed stage was none other than BIGSOUND competition winner aaaaand 2023 Unearthed High finalist, ixaras. Barely old enough to attend the event, the sixteen-year-old local act delivered a solid performance doing her hometown proud. So sure of her sound at such an early stage in her career, ixaras’ set not only attracted artists, industry heads and punters alike but her Grandmother also got down to join in on the festivities.
Isaac Puerile
Bringing the energy after the first changeover of the night, Isaac puerile finessed his way through his discography through delicious autotune licks. Up on stage with his producer Tanssi, fresh productions and cheeky lyrics made way for the Blacktown rapper’s charismatic live performance. Bringing audiences multiple Unearthed competition winning songs, the crowd bopped along to Puerile’s #UnfinishedFlume entry ‘WYM?’ as well as his NIDA music video tune ‘ANGEL SIGNS’.
Aleksiah
Next up, a true star in the making hit the stage. With an aura and attitude that one could only describe as slay, Aleksiah’s presence was mesmerising. Her band was tight and their admiration for her really did radiate into the crowd. With each band member singing along as they played their respective instrument, they even got their flashlights out mid performance for punters to sway along to. With fellow Adelaide based acts Coldwave and Oscar The Wild front and centre for their South Australian sister, there was lotsa love in the air for this rising talent at BIGSOUND.
1tbsp
It was at this point that the heavens came down and made way for the dance God A.K.A 1tbsp! Pushing out eclectic and international sounding bangers Maxwell Byrne also known as Golden Vessel proved that this was definitely not his first rodeo with an absolutely thumping DJ set. Letting the music speak for itself audiences danced like no one was watching. All whilst a shower of rain cooled them down from not only the humidity of the Meanjin air but also the heat that 1tbsp undoubtably brought.
The Grogans
And the rain did not cease as the final act of the night induced moments of a hot and sweaty mosh pit. Calling the stage their home, The Grogans played an assortment of tunes from their catalogue of the past, present and future. With a few of the DICE boys in the crowd as well as Alex from Great Gable, Quinn, Gus and Jordy struck out a super tight set in the true God tier way that they know how, can confirm that they did not disappoint!
Day two:
Arches
Talk about starting the night off strong, 2023 BIGSOUND competition winners Arches weren’t messing around when they hit the Unearthed stage in their hometown for the very first time. The crowds flooded in pretty quickly and in such an attentive way too. Dishing up a performance that we are certain 100 gecs would be proud of, Mason and Sam made the area feel so full creating a safe space for creativity through gratitude, pure energy and raw talent alike.
J-MILLA
If there’s anyone you want as your hype man, look no further than Mr. J-MILLA. With confidence and steeze overflowing in abundance, there’s not much this man didn’t do. For his first time being in a major city, this proud Mak Mak Marranungu man from Northern Territory, captivated crowds giving us everything and more. Through his killer moves, countless dap ups and use of trumpets on top of an already outstanding set, BIGSOUND 2023 furthered J-MILLA’s position as one to watch.
Felivand
Jorja Smith walked so Felivand could run is exactly the type of energy that this hometown act brought to the Unearthed stage at BIGSOUND 2023. Attracting a lengthy line outside the venue, punters simply couldn’t wait be mesmerised by her soulful grooves and tingling riffs. With a band jam packed with local acts from Meanjin / Brisbane, there was a lotta love for this crew as the crowd was full of people from all walks of life.
Beckah Amani
Fresh off the back of playing her first support slot with Australian music royalty Paul Kelly, Beckah Amani backed it up with a dazzling set in the Fortitude Valley. Incorporating moments both with and without the band, this Gold Coast based up and comer not only covered a glistening array of her own songs, but also managed to squeeze in a rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Yah/Element Medley’ in the style of Joy Crookes. She created such a delicate and special atmosphere enforcing a twinkle in every audience member’s eye.
DICE
It had been a hot minute since the boys of DICE had jumped onstage and played to a crowd, but cool as can be they marked their presence at The Brightside closing out night two. Consistently as ever Ben, Tom, Regan and Lenny played their hearts out, giving justice to some household faves including their NIDA winning music video competition song ‘Pieces’. This crew were having so much fun onstage and it really shone through, it was the perfect way to send off the night.
Day three:
After a beautiful Welcome to Country from Derek Sandy, the Blak Out night on the Unearthed stage began and gosh were we in for a treat!
Jada Weazel
The evening kicked off with Jada Weazel who can only be described as a vision! With a voice as gorgeous as her aura, this Naarm based act brought so much RnB and soul goodness to the stage in the style of those like Olivia Dean. Climbing the ladders of different notes and flirting with a catalogue of melodies, she absolutely served (even on heavenly vocal riffs in between songs). Wearing long black gloves, Jada Weazel meant business and opened night three on literally the perfect note.
Dean Brady
As soon as the set from Naarm based Dean Brady kicked off, audiences were drawn forward without even being asked. With a whopping nine (at one point, ten!!) performers on stage, acts like A.GIRL and Ruby Jackson accompanied him as he delivered a set which many coined as their highlight of BIGSOUND. Exploring the range of his artistry, each track performed brought something different. From RnB to reggae then straight down the line pop, he spat some bars which were then interspersed with more soulful and Motown moments, Dean Brady gave us everything and more at BIGSOUND 2023.
Moss
Skrillex step aside and make way for Moss. Commencing the set with his puffer jacket on, this Eora / Sydney based DJ brought so much heat that it didn’t take long before it came right off. With everyone losing their minds, Moss spun a collection of Drum and Bass infused bangers infiltrated with pulsating beats and electrifying drops. It was jam packed as the set saw Moss standing on the decks table, Nooky coming out to drop some heat ahead of closing out his set on the night celebrating First Nations acts with his reimagining of 'Solid Rock' featuring Tasman Keith, William Barton and “the legend that is Goanna”.
Miss Kaninna
If there’s anything that we learnt from this set, it’s that when Miss Kaninna speaks… you listen. The proud Yorta Yorta, Yirendali and Kalkadoon woman proved that she is the past, present at the future of music in this country, commanding the attention of punters and showing the expansive range of what she’s capable of. Supported onstage by the crew of Izy, Miss Kaninna brought strength and pure talent to her “craziest crowds yet”.
Kobie Dee
The final act to grace the BIGSOUND stage for 2023 was the Gomeroi man, rapper and master storyteller from Bidjigal Land in Maroubra, South Sydney. With wisdom well beyond his years and the ability to tell a story in such a unique manner, Kobie Dee came through in an empowering way. Being vulnerable with audience members, he created a space where people felt seen, heard and understood as affirmations of support echoed through the crowd all through his set.
We’re still buzzing from the celebrations at BIGSOUND 2023 and we’re just absolutely counting down the days ‘till next year.
We hope to see you there!