BIGSOUND 2020 has dropped the mic on its first (and hopefully last) ever 100% virtual program on October 21 and 22, bringing together a stacked first announcement of keynote presenters to lead a program to re-future a challenged industry with positivity, connection and reality.

Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets Of Rage, the Nightwatchman) leads the first announcement with a presentation exploring his life as a musician and activist. BIGSOUND will also host a line up of special in-conversation sessions with the legendary Kev Carmody and ARIA-award winner Amy Shark, as well as a keynote presentation from global superstar Tones And I. Rhoda Roberts and Ziggy Ramo will discuss the Indigenous future of the music industry while American Grammy-nominee Mumu Fresh will discuss career, community and survival in 2020.

BIGSOUND will also welcome Australia’s hero of COVID, culinary crusader Nat’s What I Reckon, who will present an exclusive BIGSOUND cooking show. I OH YOU’s Johann Ponniah will zoom by for a keynote, while globally respected tour and production manager and founder of CrewCare Australia Howard Freeman (Big Day Out, INXS, AC/DC, Eminem, Neil Young, Prince, Rolling Stones) will host a poignant session exploring the hard realities of life on the road, the impacts it has on mental and physical health, and creating a culture of help-seeking.

“Join me at BIGSOUND to talk music, activism, and how the guitar can be a divining rod for truth and justice. The world is at a dangerous crossroads and it’s time to feed the poor, fight the power, and rock the f**k out.” – Tom Morello

With COVID-19 restricting travel, BIGSOUND 2020 will be the first event in its 19 -year history to go completely free and virtual, in recognition of the difficult times the industry is currently facing and the need more than ever to have a place to come together regardless of location or means. With over 2,000 already registered, the virtual space will enable BIGSOUND’s panel discussions, keynotes and seminars the ability to reach and connect with more people than ever before.