CURATED SERIES OF EMPOWERED EVENTS CELEBRATING FIRST NATIONS VOICES ANNOUNCED FOR 1-5 SEPTEMBER

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Already set to be a bustling hub of activity and creative inspiration this September, BIGSOUND proudly announces its celebration of Indigenous voices today, with the reveal of the 2025 Goolwal Goolwal Program.

Translated from the traditional Yuggera language, “Goolwal Goolwal” means “Big Sound” – as such, this deadly program of events and cultural experiences has become an integral part of BIGSOUND’s programming in recent years. Nestled within the busy district of Fortitude Valley, Magandjin (Brisbane), Goolwal Goolwal invites all attendees to immerse themselves in this dynamic series of panels, performances, workshops and more; discovering the wealth of talent thriving within First Nations communities nationwide. With a program boasting free events to attend within the dedicated Goolwal Garden, as well as a slew of free performances on the Brunswick Street Mall Stage, Goolwal Goolwal is a key calendar component of BIGSOUND 2025.

Curated and led by a team of First Nations industry professionals and artists, the Goolwal Goolwal program represents leaders and the next wave of industry gamechangers; all the while platforming and supporting First Nations artists and creative practitioners at BIGSOUND throughout the entirety of the event this 2-5 September. 

“[The] Goolwal Goolwal program feels like family. Elders, youth and everyone in between connecting at BIGSOUND. The program gives us more visibility in the national and international music industries. Goolwal Goolwal team invests our time to share the combined knowledge of industry elders and hear the voice of the next generation. We prioritise space for multi-generational events, music and conversations, which encourages a more natural way to connect.” Deline Briscoe, First Nations Advisory Group & Programming Advisory Group

The Goolwal Goolwal program commences at the top of BIGSOUND week – Monday 1 September – with an official BIGSOUND Eve Welcome Event, a perfect opportunity for delegates and special guests to gather and begin building connections before the rush of both the BIGSOUND conference and music showcase festival sets in. Hosted at the Goolwal Garden, the official and dedicated First Nations space at Fortitude Valley’s Sound Garden, this event invites attendees to meet and ease into the week together.

“Each year BIGSOUND makes a significant contribution to the state’s live music industry, strengthening the state’s vibrant music scene. As a key part of the BIGSOUND program, Goolwal Goolwal amplifies the stories, voices and sounds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and creatives. 

“The Crisafulli Government’s investment in QMusic and its presentation of Goolwal Goolwal provides an important platform for Indigenous artists, musicians and communities as we prepare for Queensland to take centre stage as host of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”  The Hon John-Paul Langbroek, Minister for Education and the Arts.  

Honouring the Traditional Owners of the land and waters on which BIGSOUND is held, renowned community and industry leader, Sandra King (O.A.M) will deliver a Welcome To Country on Tuesday 2 September as part of BIGSOUND’s Opening Ceremony for 2025. As part of this important event, a traditional Smoking Ceremony will also take place, an ancient custom that not only cleanses, but wards off bad spirits and welcomes people in positive energy.

“We are honoured to be producing the 2025 Goolwal Goolwal program and to witness the continued evolution and amplification of First Nations voices within our industry. We are incredibly proud to support the strength, resilience and extraordinary talent of First Nations artists in music. 

The Goolwal Goolwal Program continues to provide an empowering platform for both established and emerging First Nations artists. This year’s program will be a vibrant celebration of identity, culture, creativity and community; highlighting the importance of First Nations-led spaces in the music industry.” Kearna Sweeney & Bianca Kemister, Goolwal Goolwal Producer and Assistant Producer.

Throughout this year’s Goolwal Goolwal program, a number of highlight events are set to take place. Bad Apples Music, celebrating ten years of nurturing and supporting First Nations talent, bring their anniversary celebrations to Goolwal Goolwal for Now And Forever: BIGSOUND Edition, on Tuesday 2 September with a deadly lineup of artists set to perform. Having played a hand in changing the landscape for First Nations artists to be recognised and succeed in Australia across the last decade, Bad Apples Music is already looking ahead to its next decade of excellence – a hint of which will be on show for this special celebration.

Trailblazing artist BARKAA brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Goolwal Goolwal, appearing on two special panel discussions in collaboration with Support Act across Tuesday 2 September and Wednesday 3 September. Having navigated a prolific rise herself in recent years, the Malyangapa, Barkindji superstar will be sharing her observations and tips for the Yarning Strong panel, “Pass The Mic, Not The Trauma: Navigating Parenthood in the Industry” – a session dedicated to exploring how to balance social and mental wellbeing with the artistic craft. BARKAA will also appear on the panel “Leave Britney Alone: Navigating Notoriety”, a session created to provide insights on the pressures artists face to speak out on pressing issues, and the impact on vocalising opinions in the public realm.

On Wednesday 3 September, Bad Apples founder and all-round Yorta Yorta multi-talent BRIGGS will appear in an unmissable keynote conversation with acclaimed Gomeroi rapper and master storyteller, Kobie Dee. Taking place at the Fortitude Music Hall, this keynote is set to be an illuminating conversation traversing not only two distinguished careers in Australian music, but also insights into the growth and evolution of First Nations excellence in this country.

Thanks to Awesome Black, Goolwal Goolwal plays host to a diverse and electric roster of First Nations artists on Tuesday 2 September – showcasing the dynamism and defining sounds of contemporary Blak music, in the heart of Fortitude Valley on the Brunswick Street Mall stage. Experience firsthand the artists who are shaping tomorrow’s sound: from hip hop to soul, indie to electronic and experimental, the Awesome Black Showcase is set to champion the next wave of First Nations storytellers, proving First Nations excellence has never been bound by genre or expectation.

The music celebration continues in the Goolwal Garden on Wednesday 3 September, with two special events: YANGADA and the Bush Day Out. YANGADA (Mutti Mutti: to speak), represents the sharing of knowledge and memory through songs and stories – think, Kutcha’s Koorioke and a campfire yarn! Presented by the Bush Music Fund, the Bush Day Out will feature a stellar lineup of talent.

On Thursday 4 September, the Brunswick Street Mall Stage plays host to The BLOCK PARTY CONNECT: FROM BOORLOO TO MEANJIN , presented by FNFOCUS & FLEWNT. Featuring a staunch line up of West Coast talent including FLEWNT, INKABEE, Downsyde, Taija, JJ Vacant and TEHIIRI + special guests, this block party brings an unforgettable series of hip hop performances as part of Goolwal Goolwal 2025.

“It has been a fantastic journey over the past years at QMusic, witnessing the increasing engagement and recognition of First Nations artists at Goolwal Goolwal, BIGSOUND and other events such as the Queensland Music Awards. First Nations artists and musicians play a vital role in the Queensland music industry. Music is a powerful tool to ensure that First Nations voices are heard loudly and proudly. 

Goolwal Goolwal is a signature event that brings people and cultures together through the sharing of music and deeply personal stories that have a lasting and profound impact on everyone involved.  We look forward once again to an amazing program in 2025!” – Toni Janke, Chair – First Nations Advisory Group

BIGSOUND 2025
2 – 5 September Fortitude Valley Brisbane, QLD 

For more information on this year’s Goolwal Goolwal Program at BIGSOUND 2025 visit 

www.bigsound.org.au/first-nations-house  

Stay connected on Instagram

www.instagram.com/goolwalgoolwal
 

METAMORFOSI
RICCIONE

The Hï Ibiza format arrives in Italy: the renowned concept Metamorfosi debuts at Cocoricò with an outstanding lineup of international and Italian artists: Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Blond:ish and Josh Baker are some of the artists heading Romagna
14th August 2025

After the first edition of Rave in the Church sold out in under 48 hours, we decided to add a second date due to the very high demand.

50% of tickets for Chapter 2 were snapped up during presale alone.

We’re beyond grateful, and even more hyped to make this next edition unforgettable.

If you missed out last time, this is your chance.

But be quick, tickets are moving fast, and this one will sell out too.

We’ll be streaming the Grand Final live at the venue, so you can catch all the action during the event!

4 UNIQUE STAGES

 Main Stage
 The Dome
 Hidden Garden
 Open Air Courtyard

 The Chapel : Transformed into an art sanctuary, showcasing curated installations, make up artists, painters, and more!

SECURE YOUR SPOT BEFORE SOLD OUT!

GET TICKETS

WEBSITE, TICKES, INFO HERE

Photography: Josh Ma

Words: Ken Magno

The UK is notorious for bringing out some of the biggest names within the Drill, Grime and Trap scenes, but none have been pushing headlines like Central Cee. Bringing his debut album ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ to the Sydney’s own Qudos Bank Arena, the rapper delivered on his album’s namesake as he painted a story of his meteoric rise to fame through his lyricism, production and visuals.

Since his earlier days finding TikTok fame through his single ‘Day in the Life’ and his debut EP ‘Wild West’, Central Cee has found ways to stay in the spotlight with his own discography as well as collaborating with the like of Drake, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress and UK’s own Dave (with whom he released the Collab EP ‘Split Decision’ in 2023.

Throughout the night, Cench made sure to show his range – switching between his hard-hitting bars on the 808 heavy tracks such as ‘6 For 6’ and ‘Loading’, while also softening his tone on more vulnerable tracks such as ‘Me & You’ and ‘Truth in the Lies’. His production even featured a facetime call with numerous members of the crowd during his hit single ‘Gen Z Luv’, breaking the barrier between artist and audience and letting the Sydney crowd feel like a part of the performance.

Despite being the star of the show, the night had hit a high point with Central Cee giving the crowd a grin before stating “I didn’t hop on a 24 hour flight for nothing” before Western Sydney’s very own OneFour exploded onto stage with their heavy hitting track ‘Family’. The crowd absolutely exploded with the surprise appearance, going bar for bar with the notorious group on ‘Spot the Difference’ and tearing the roof off with their huge presence and incredible energy.

The final half of the show saw the likes of his hit single ‘Doja’ (which further cemented his reputation of being untouchable within his craft) stir up a frenzy in the room, to then bringing about his viral Dave collabs ‘Sprinter’ and ‘UK Rap’ as well as their most recent collaboration ‘CRG’. Central Cee has some of the most recognisable flows in the rap game, even being able to hold his own in the final moments of his set against the likes of Lil Baby on their track ‘Band4Band’ and Sexyy Red on ‘GUILT TRIPPIN’.

There’s always an uneasy feeling of seeing rappers take on the Qudos Bank Arena, with the acoustics of the venue more fitting the likes of bands and artists that are backed by heavy instrumentation, but Central Cee finds a way to give the crowd exactly what they want without sacrificing anything from his vision. To be able to hold his own while keeping the crowd bouncing throughout the night is a huge feat, and Cench was definitely able to go band for band with some of the biggest artists to grace the stage before him.

Chicago’s BELLHEAD have just announced one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2025 as ‘Threats’ is now available on CD, Digital Download, and Streaming on all major platforms. The first single and title track “Threats”was previewed a few weeks ago on March 10th via Bandcamp pre-order and is already being critically praised. ‘Threats’ is the first EP of new material since BELLHEAD released ‘Good Intentions’ in 2023. 

Longtime fans will be rewarded for their patience and loyalty to the band, while people new to BELLHEAD will be immediately hooked by this release. 

Are there songs about Death? Check.

 Songs about Revenge? Yep. 

Drowning? You know it. 

Heartbreak? Got You Covered!

Femme Fatales, Murder, and Sorrow?

 Yes!!!

All the familiar elements that fans have come to expect from BELLHEAD are still there, and yet with this release, the duo has grown in their songwriting, implementing refreshing styles and approaches to their storytelling.

Gone is their distinctive Black and White branding, having been replaced by vibrant yellow. The Anachronistic artwork of the previous releases, now issues a harsh warning along with a full color photo. Ivan Russia and Karen Righeimer-Schock let you finally see who exactly is making good on these “Threats” 

Engineered by Neil Strauch and mastered by Carl Saff, the EP which will be released via Oppressive Sky Records includes five new songs alongside two remixes. Darkwave’s rising stars Clubdrugs provide a hallucinogenic fueled trip through a Haunted Mansion on the remixed “Heart Shaped Hole”, while Stabbing Westward’s Chris Hall provides additional vocals on the remixed “Bad Taste” that gives it a club filling stomp one does not often associate with BELLHEAD, leaving you with your fists pumping and feet moving.

THREATS! tracklisting:

Threats

Heart Shaped Hole

Shutters + Stutters

No Dead Horses

Double Jeopardy

Bad Taste (Stabbing Westward Remix)

Heart Shaped Hole (Clubdrugs Remix)

Since the release of ‘Good Intentions’ back in 2023, BELLHEAD have grown in popularity thanks in part to their never ending tour schedule and fiery interactive live performances. They have performed over 50 shows from one end of the country to the other, sharing the stage with such legendary acts as Stabbing Westward, Julien-K, Gene Loves Jezebel, Clan Of Xymox, Night Club, and performing at some high profile fests. In support of ‘Threats’, BELLHEAD will be hitting the road once again with Summer tour dates and additional appearances on Festival Stages. 

BELLHEAD 2025 TOUR DATES

06/27/25 – Coles’s – Chicago, IL – BELLHEAD (w/ King Sans / Braince / Wet Chain)

07/26/25 – Crucible- Madison WI- Electronic Saviors Vol 7 Live showcase w/Bellhead,Null Device, Sensuous Enemy, Interface

08/08/25 – Lamplighter Lounge – Memphis, TN – BELLHEAD (w/ Ego Likeness)

08/09/25 – Healer – Indianapolis, IN – BELLHEAD (w/ Plague Garden / In A Darkened Room / Grave Love / Final Girl / Broken Nails / Waiting for Meteors / Twice Dark)

08/10/25 – Livewire – Chicago, IL – BELLHEAD (w/ In a Darkened Room)

09/11/25 – Burlington Bar – Chicago, IL – BELLHEAD (w/ Feyleux)

09/12/25 – Turnstiles – Grand Rapids, MI – BELLHEAD (w/ Feyleux)

09/13/25 – Historic Masonic Temple – Bay City, MI – BELLHEAD (w/ Feyleux)

More dates to be announced

’Threats’ can be ordered here : 

https://bellhead.bandcamp.com/album/threats

‘Threats’ can be found on Spotify here:

Threats – Album by Bellhead | Spotify

Band Links:

https://www.bellheadband.com

https://bellhead.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bellheadband/

https://www.instagram.com/bellheadband/

Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kG1HBhqba49nSNiN92pVg

Mailing list sign up: 

http://eepurl.com/hndoUr

*All photos by Fleurette Estes Photography

SINGLE TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO

DUE OUT FRIDAY JUNE 27 – PRESAVE NOW

 TOURING NATIONALLY AUGUST – OCTOBER FOR THE ‘THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO’ TOUR

An upbeat coalescence of dub, Spaghetti Western hues and revolution, today ARIA Award-winning ska collective Melbourne Ska Orchestra unveil a brand new track Bom Bom Bom; a charismatic sonic powder keg that also accompanies a music video and the announcement of a new forthcoming Melbourne Ska Orchestra album, with The Ballad Of Monte Loco set for release on Friday June 27. And with a huge global tour set to span Australia, Japan and Canada from July to October 2025, the arrival of The Ballad Of Monte Loco kicks open the doors to a thrilling new MSO musical saga ahead of a huge run of shows. 

Opening with the whirring sound of a film projector and hypnotic hooks, Bom Bom Bom swings into a track punctuated by tremolo guitar picking, dub beats and smoky soundscapes, perfectly setting the scene both for a dusky desert caper as well as a call to action, with Bom Bom Bom’s lyrics soaked in powerful protest as Melbourne Ska Orchestra leader Nicky Bomba elaborates, “Bom Bom Bom is a rally cry wrapped in rhythm. It’s about waking up, standing up, and remembering that the power belongs to the people. There’s a fire underneath it all—a deep frustration with systems that divide and distract—but also a joy in coming together to shake the walls with music. It’s protest through party. It’s a revolution… with a horn section.”

“There’s definitely a nod to The Skatalites and Toots,” adds Bomba, “but also the storytelling vibe of Gil Scott-Heron, the space-dub of Lee Scratch Perry, and that Spaghetti Western cinematic scope—Morricone still guiding us like a desert prophet. We utilise a few different languages too, Sally Ford bringing the Texacali spirit to the MSO sound.”

Produced by Nicky Bomba and the MSO crew, Bom Bom Bom was recorded in-house with a tapestry of sound design courtesy of award-winning composer Wally Maloney. And with soundscapes spanning the full gamut of the cinematic West including church bells, whips, horses and whistles (also extending to the broader The Ballad Of Monte Loco album), it’s fitting that the accompanying music video for Bom Bom Bom embraces a spirit befitting the silver screen, with the clip once again bringing on board a long-time MSO collaborator to bring the Western vibes to visual fruition. “We wanted to capture some of the cinematic energy of Sergio Leone classics like The Fistful Trilogy and merge it with some of the wilder, more surreal visions of the West,” shares Bomba. “We love the craziness of films by Alejandro Jodorowsky, so we hoped to bottle a bit of that energy as well. We figured a good tribute to these cinematic ideas would be a trailer to our fictional Western film The Ballad Of Monte Loco. We worked with long-time collaborator and friend Clayton Jacobson—he’s got the eye for mixing real grit with cinematic magic. He’s done some of our most popular music videos and he just gets it.”

Along with Bom Bom Bom, Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s most recent singles Walls of Jericho and John Wayne have steadily painted a picture of what lies at the heart of the group’s upcoming new album, The Ballad Of Monte Loco; a tantalising combo of Western badlands smoulder fused with reggae, horns and beyond across its 13 tracks. Opening with a haunting church bell, galloping percussion and ghostly melodies, The Brave, The Mean and the Wild Ones perfectly sets the scene, detailing “how the West was won” merged with perky saxophone solos, genuine horse gallops, sweeping horns and honky tonk piano. From here, The Ballad Of Monte Loco continuously feels like a full body immersion into a celluloid fever dream, with hazy dub swoon (No Doubt About It and Read Between The Lines), prowling Western soundscapes, Latin piano lines and sprinkling percussion (Pay No Mind), mesmerising grooves set against sparkling horns and commanding urgency that transcends language and time (No Me Mientas), as well as a whispered and haunting interlude (Fortune Teller). The second half of The Ballad of Monte Loco then immediately journeys between upbeat cinematic storytelling (John Wayne), jubilant positivity (Spring In My Step), funked-up jaunt (When Bootsy Came To Town), and a powerful call to arms coated with modern panache and vintage saloon vibes (Realidad). And while the entirety of The Ballad Of Monte Loco is equally eclectic yet cohesive, closing track One Thing ends on a commanding note, deftly balancing its languid vocals, cloudy arrangements and bewitching harmonies with a sturdy closing message to persevere against the odds.

“This album was born in a time of uncertainty, but also one of reflection and fire,” says Bomba of the upcoming album. “The Ballad of Monte Loco is our imagined Western world, where rhythm is resistance, and people rise together through music. It touches on revolution, false prophets, joy as rebellion, and the power of truth when it’s sung loud. We wanted it to feel like both a warning and a celebration.”

One of Australia’s most commanding collectives, Melbourne Ska Orchestra amalgamate some of the country’s finest musicians and performers, helmed with formidable dexterity by Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio, Bomba, Bustamento). Forming in the early 2000s, MSO are an energy-infested orchestra with a difference, with the group comprising up to 26 members spanning vocals, horns, keys, percussion, woodwind and more. Releasing their self-titled debut album in 2013, MSO would earn the first of many ARIA Award nominations, ultimately going on to take out Best World Music Album in 2016 for their second full-length, Sierra Kilo Alpha, as well as Best World Music Album in 2019 for their multi album box set One Year of Ska. And proving their relentless work-ethic alongside their world-class skillset, One Year of Ska also found Melbourne Ska Orchestra releasing a song every week for an entire year. 

Over the years Melbourne Ska Orchestra have ticked off multiple sold out shows on home soil, dozens of major festival appearances, twelve international tours, and a sea of awards and nominations. But it’s not just the group’s prolific output that has found them so hotly in demand worldwide, with MSO’s explosive live performance and genre-defying genius generating acclaim and huge nods of approval from reggae and ska legends including Stranger Cole, Owen Grab, Carlos Malcolm, Ranking Roger and Neville Staples. 

In 2025, Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s world domination continues, both via the upcoming release of The Ballad Of Monte Loco as well as an upcoming huge global tour that will see them travel through Australia, Japan and Canada throughout July, August, September and October 2025. And whetting the appetite with today’s new single, dropping Bom Bom Bom ahead of the release of The Ballad Of Monte Loco later this month, there are truly some unforgettable moments still to come, as Nicky Bomba concludes, “We’re buzzin’! There’s nothing like the full MSO experience live—up to 20 of us on stage, blasting brass, thundering percussion, and skankin’ til the roof lifts. It’s not just a gig—it’s a full-blown brass opera with boots, sweat, and soul. We’re bringing the world of Monte Loco to life in every town we hit.

“This isn’t background music. This is a dancefloor sermon. A brass-laced vision quest. A reminder that when we gather in rhythm, walls fall and hearts rise. Bom Bom Bom is just the beginning. Monte Loco awaits…”

Bom Bom Bom is out now

The Ballad Of Monte Loco is due out Friday June 27.

Tickets for Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s ‘The Ballad Of Monte Loco’ Tour are on sale now from www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/. 

Stream: BOM BOM BOM

MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA – THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO AUSTRALIAN SHOWS 

Tickets available from http://www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/ 

FRI 01 AUG | LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

SAT 02 AUG | UC HUB, CANBERRA
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

SAT 09 AUG | TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS
Tickets available from Ticketlink.com

FRI 29 AUG | THE WOOL EXCHANGE, GEELONG
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

SAT 30 AUG | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 05 SEP | ALTAR BAR, HOBART
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

FRI 12 SEP | THE GOV, ADELAIDE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

SAT 13 SEP | PORT BEACH BREWERY, FREMANTLE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 19 SEP | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

SAT 20 SEP | MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 03 OCT | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

Photography: Cyril Asuncion