BIGSOUND Announcement!

With last year's event smashing home a reputation as the Southern Hemisphere's global music gathering, BIGSOUND has launched with its first announcement of speakers and live performers converging on Brisbane's Fortitude Valley Live Music Precinct from September 12 to 14, 2012.

At the Melbourne launch party at Toff In Town, BIGSOUND announced its first three keynote speakers with one of the planet's most perplexing artists Ben Lee, EMI Chairman Mark Poston and award winning artist and activist David Bridie taking to the podium in September. Overseas guests include Jack White's Third Man Records MD Ben Swank (US); Spotify's Rene Chambers (UK); Lisa Hresko (US) editor of CMJ; European promoter Heart of Gold's David Jimenez-Zumalacarregui (Spain); C3 Presents' Aly Ehlinger (Lollapolooza, Austin City Limits) (US); Merlin's Charles Caldas (UK); and Grouplove managers Nicky & Ben Berger (US).

Local speakers Nick Findlay (triple j), Ian Haug (Powerfinger), Richard Moffat (Way Over There- Falls Festival / Parklife / Groovin the Moo) and Jessica Ducrou (Village Sounds- Splendour in the Grass) round out the speaker announcement.

Ten artists have also been confirmed for BIGSOUND Live with Kate Miller-Heidke, Violent Soho, Eagle & the Worm, The Paper Kites, King Cannons, The Cairos, Oliver Tank, Kira Puru & the Bruise, The Trouble with Templeton and The Preachers all locked in to appear. 90 more will be revealed with artists encouraged to apply now to join the lineup at www.bigsound.org.au.

"BIGSOUND 2012 already feels like it has the good will and natural momentum to step up again on what we achieved last year. ," said programmer Graham Ashton. "The international interest has gone up another level which is proven by the quality of our first speaker announcement and BIGSOUND has become the one real gathering of the tribe for the Australian music community. Most importantly, the artist applications that are coming in already ensure that Fortitude Valley is the place to be this September."

Tickets for BIGSOUND are now available at the early bird rate of just $295 for Q Music members and $395 for non-members. This discount price is available for one month only and includes entry to all official conference sessions, parties, after-parties and live music events.

TICKETS FOR BIGSOUND ARE ON SALE NOW FROM www.bigsound.org.au