BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) Ltd is bringing a delegation of British music businesses to BIGSOUND this year. What made 2026 the right time to strengthen the connection between the UK and Australia?
The UK and Australia share deep cultural roots, and we are always looking to strengthen this valued connection. Music exports are hugely important to the UK as the world’s second largest music exporter after the U.S., and Australia has always been a commercially and culturally importantly market for us.
Australia in the UK’s 4th biggest market for recorded music exports so it’s significant for our BPI label members. The BPI had been present at other Australian events previously, but we thought it really was time to add to this presence by exploring what BigSound had to offer the UK delegation, as we’d heard great things.
How has your experience at BIGSOUND been so far, and what has stood out to you?
All of the BPI’s UK delegates were impressed with the sheer variety of both music and B2B opportunities available to them at BigSound. Our Breakfast with the Brits event was a real hit, a standout moment where we had a packed room of people networking and making instant connections right at the start of the event.
Having spent time meeting Australian artists and music businesses, what has impressed you most about the Australian music industry?
I think Brits and Aussies have the same can-do attitude along with a similar work ethic and sense of humour. It’s been great connecting and reconnecting with lots of different parts of the business in a really laid back, informal, fun atmosphere.
Queensland has an extraordinary music community. What opportunities do you see for Queensland artists and music businesses looking towards the UK?
The UK has a really strong connection to Australia and London has a huge community of Australians and of course all across the UK Aussies are liked. A great Australian artists have been coming to the UK for years to perform so there’s a great track record for new talent to follow.
What do British artists and music businesses sometimes misunderstand about trying to break into the Australian market?
The first thing is just how big Australia is! Roughly half the population of the UK but with 31 times the space! So touring artists especially find the sheer distance between some cities unfathomable!
Have you discovered any Australian artists at BIGSOUND 2026 that you think international audiences should be paying attention to?
There were quite a few. Catpiss, Sweatbaby, and Tusekah were all really interesting and I think have great potential although all the Brits I was with have about another 20–30 acts they were all pretty excited about.
The UK is one of Australia’s most important international music connections. What do you think makes the relationship between the two music industries so strong?
I think it’s the shared work ethic and sense of humour, but obviously our roots go deep and there are shared values and a common language.
BIGSOUND is built around creating connections that continue beyond the festival. What kinds of relationships are you hoping the UK delegation can build while you are here?
Personally for the BPI we are looking at potentially bringing over some UK artists in 2027 and it would be remiss of me not to mention that we are planning a multi year strategy in the lead up to the Olympics.
With streaming, AI and changing patterns of music discovery reshaping the industry, what do you think will have the biggest impact on independent artists over the next few years?
Change, however challenging, also creates opportunity, not least in a global digital industry that now makes it really exciting and possible for an artist from one part of the world looking to connect with other territories and build a global fanbase through their music. We have all read a lot about AI and the risks it represents, but it also offers a lot of potential benefits for industry growth if an effective licensed market can be developed.
If you met an Australian artist at BIGSOUND who genuinely wanted to build a career in the UK, what would you tell them to do first?
I would say research like crazy before you head over to the UK. For a small set of nations we have massively varied music scenes, often set in particular geographic areas, so make sure you know where you are likely to find your scene.
