Goolwal Goolwal will return to BIGSOUND in 2026 with an expanded First Nations program featuring ARIA-winning hip-hop group 3%, legendary songman Uncle Joe Geia, a Magandjin edition of MOB CYPHER and free family programming.
The program will open BIGSOUND's 25th anniversary celebrations in Fortitude Valley, Magandjin (Brisbane), with a traditional Welcome to Country, Gather and Graze event and a Calling for Country ceremony for First Nations delegates arriving from Turtle Island, Aotearoa and Chile.
The opening will take place on the BIGSOUND Mall Stage on 1 September, with catering from Bebe Lena's Kitchen, founded by Torres Strait Islander woman Helena Levi.
Ms Levi described the event as a chance to share Torres Strait Islander food with visiting music professionals.
"The opportunity to showcase my kaikai (food) to a diverse range of business professionals while listening to deadly beats - big esso! (thank-you!)," Ms Levi said.
Free programming will also extend to children and families through Jarjum Sounds with Goodjingburra-Bundjalung musician and performer Lucas Proudfoot.
Mr Proudfoot said the performance would introduce children to music and movement in a public BIGSOUND setting.
"I'm so excited to be performing at BIGSOUND as part of Goolwal Goolwal," Mr Proudfoot said.
"Early access to music and dance has not only been shown to improve the development of language and motor skills for our Jarjum but it's also a lot of fun for little ones and parents alike - I'm thrilled to be showcasing the sounds that our future BIGSOUNDers are currently jamming to on the general public stage this year and I hope to see a bunch of families grooving with me."
Jarjum Sounds will run from 11am to noon on the BIGSOUND Mall Stage.
The Gather and Graze event will lead into a showcase from participants in Mushroom Group's First Nations Pathway Program, including RIAH, MINTY, Djunmili Yunupingu, homebody and Kiah performing as The Violet Summers.
Now in its fifth year, the pathway program has previously produced collaborations including 3%, which will perform a late-night set at Crowbar after the official Wednesday showcase.
The Home of Goolwal Goolwal at Hey Chica! will remain free to the public each day until 5.30pm, hosting yarns, gatherings and First Nations market stalls curated by Flash Blak.
The space will also include Ngarrindjeri artist and producer trials' exhibition what's the colour of love?, which accompanies his 2026 album hendle.
Uncle Joe Geia will perform during the annual Goolwal Goolwal Elders gathering as part of his final national tour, marking more than 40 years as a professional songman.
The late-night program will include MOB CYPHER's Magandjin edition at The Prince Consort's La La Land on 1 September.
DENNI, Nooky, Dallas Woods and other artists will perform before freestyling during the live recording of an original track, with trials providing the beat.
The wider conference program will include Artists in Conversation sessions with trials, Tasman Keith and Kobie Dee, alongside discussions about regional connections, young people, storytelling, sync opportunities and the First Nations Music Industry Review.
A new Goolwal Goolwal shirt featuring First Nations artists will also be sold through the BIGSOUND merchandise store, with part of the proceeds going to the Dhadjowa Foundation and The Disappeared Project.
