Julia Jacklin, King Gizzard and Trials head BIGSOUND 2026 Artist In Conversation lineup

BIGSOUND 2026 Artist In Conversation lineup takes shape

BIGSOUND 2026 has announced the first wave of its Artist In Conversation sessions, and the names are worth paying attention to. According to Billboard, Julia Jacklin, Stu Mackenzie and Lucas Harwood of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and hip-hop producer and composer Trials (real name Daniel Rankine) will all appear at the annual Australian music conference and showcase. The event runs September 1 to 4 in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, as part of BIGSOUND's 25th anniversary edition.

Familiar faces, new moments

King Gizzard are no strangers to BIGSOUND. The psych-rock outfit performed at the conference back in 2013, and since then have released a remarkable 25 albums, launched their own label (p(doom) Records), and cemented themselves as one of Australia's most significant musical exports.

Julia Jacklin first appeared on the BIGSOUND showcase stage in 2016, just before the release of her debut album Don't Let The Kids Win. A two-time ARIA Award winner, she recently announced her first global record deal with indie label 4AD and shared details of a 2026/27 tour taking in North America, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe.

Trials brings a different dimension to the lineup. A founding member of Funkoars and one half of A.B. ORIGINAL alongside Yorta Yorta artist Briggs, his politically charged work with that project won two ARIA Awards and the Australian Music Prize for best Australian album of the year with Reclaim Australia (2016). He recently released his debut solo project hendle and wrapped up a 10-date arena tour supporting Hilltop Hoods.

The broader picture

Previous Artist In Conversation guests have included Tones And I, Kelis, Mallrat, Blur's Dave Rowntree, and Amy Taylor of Amyl And The Sniffers, so the programming has a track record of mixing commercial reach with genuine cultural weight.

International delegates confirmed for 2026 include representatives from Pitchfork, Bonnaroo, Reeperbahn, The Great Escape, SXSW, and several labels and management firms. QMusic's interim CEO Kristy Ellis described the conference's goal as creating "more opportunities for Australian and New Zealand artists and industry to connect with each other and the global market."

More details at bigsound.org.au.